NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
1/6/25
6:42 PM
LESTER HOLT: Canada's longtime Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today he is stepping down as he faced growing turmoil at home and a difficult relationship with President-Elect Donald Trump. Here is Andrea Mitchell.
ANDREA MITCHELL: Tonight, deeply unpopular at home because of soaring prices and ridiculed by President-Elect Trump, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bowing out. I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process.
MITCHELL: The son of a popular prime minister, Trudeau's movie star looks and photogenic young family made him an international star. But in recent years, he was criticized for inflation and immigration. Three weeks ago, his closest adviser, the deputy prime minister, resigned.
TRUDEAU: It has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.
MITCHELL: A final blow, tension with President-Elect Trump, who threatened Canada with 25% tariffs. Despite Trudeau rushing to Mar-a-Lago to appease him, Trump blames Canada for fentanyl and undocumented immigrants crossing the border, and Canada's trade advantage with the U.S. Mocking him on Truth Social as a governor, posting today: “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st state.”
What’s the impact of having a leadership crisis in Canada?
RICHARD HAASS: I actually think it probably smooths the relationship. Since, clearly, Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau were not on the same page.
MITCHELL: Trudeau will still be prime minister for a few months of Trump’s presidency while Canada decides how to replace him. Lester.
HOLT: Andrea, thank you.