Trudeau Emotional as He Prepares to Step Down Amid Tariff Tensions with Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became visibly emotional during a speech to reporters on Thursday, just days before his departure from office. He is set to step down after the Liberal Party selects a new leader this Sunday, March 9. Trudeau announced his resignation in January due to waning public support, marking the end of his ten-year tenure as Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader.
In his address, Trudeau teared up while underscoring his unwavering commitment to Canadians. “I’ve always put Canadians first and had their backs every single day in this office,” he said, adding that his government would continue to support them even in its final days and beyond. He reflected on the significant challenges faced during his leadership, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Middle East crisis, and the complexities of Donald Trump’s presidency. “I’ve had ten years of Donald Trump,” he noted, emphasizing that serving Canadians has been the greatest honor of his life.
NEW: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau starts crying in front of reporters.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 6, 2025
Pathetic.
"I've made sure that every single day in this office, I put Canadians first, that I have people's backs."
"And that's why I'm here to tell you all that we got you. Even in the very last… pic.twitter.com/3v2pUrt4EN
Trudeau also injected a moment of humor into his speech, poking fun at Trump’s recent pause on proposed tariffs on Canadian goods by calling it “Thursday,” which drew laughs from the audience. However, he quickly turned serious, warning of difficult times ahead. He stated that Canada would stand its ground, implementing retaliatory tariffs until Trump completely withdraws his tariff threats. “Our goal is to get all tariffs removed,” Trudeau declared. Following a recent phone call with Trump, which he described as colorful yet constructive, he predicted that Canada and the U.S. could be embroiled in a trade war for the foreseeable future.
He advocated for a cooperative approach to international trade, saying, “America First works best when Canadians and Mexicans are prospering too. A win-lose situation between us would actually harm them more than a win-win.” He suggested this principle might not apply to real estate deals, a subtle jab possibly aimed at Trump’s business roots.
Trudeau’s resignation follows months of declining popularity and internal strife within his party. In December, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stepped down due to disagreements over how to address Trump’s tariff proposals, exposing divisions within the cabinet. In response, Trudeau reshuffled his team, replacing several members to stabilize the government amid growing political unrest.
BROKEN BY TRUMP! Canadian PM Justin Trudeau seen sobbing in front of the cameras amid Trump's tariff policies.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 6, 2025
"On a personal level – I've made sure every single day in this office, I've put Canadians first… I am here to tell you all that we got you. Even in the very last… pic.twitter.com/XeFyxApk1r
His administration narrowly escaped multiple no-confidence votes, and pressure intensified from critics and Trump, who has repeatedly threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Although Trudeau initially intended to lead the Liberals into the next election, the mounting challenges led him to step aside.
As he prepares to exit, Trudeau’s emotional farewell highlighted both his dedication to Canada and the turbulent issues particularly trade tensions with the U.S.that have defined his final months in office.