Who could replace Trudeau as Canadian prime minister amidst Trump's tariff threats?

On Monday, Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, announced his resignation, leaving his Liberal Party in turmoil as they face declining poll numbers and an upcoming election.

The next prime minister will have to deal with rising costs of living, an immigration crisis, and aggressive economic pressure from President-elect Trump, as well as the challenge from Canada's Conservative Party in the upcoming election, which must be held no later than October.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the next Liberal Party leader will be chosen through a national leadership contest, as announced by Party President Sachit Mehra on Monday. Mehra stated that a meeting will be held this week to begin the democratic process of selecting a new leader of the party.

Some of Trudeau's current ministers and former Liberal Party members are being considered as potential replacements. Here's a brief overview of the leading candidates.

Chrystia Freeland

Last month, one of Trudeau's most powerful and loyal ministers, Chrystia Freeland, resigned from the Cabinet, signaling the end of his 11-year grip on party power.

Freeland, who was deputy prime minister, stated that she disagreed with Trudeau's economic policies, including the two-month sales tax holiday and $250 Canadian ($175) checks to Canadians. She characterized these measures as "costly political gimmicks" that Canada could not afford in the current economic climate, given the threat of Trump imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.

Freeland, the former No. 2 official, is a top contender to become the next Liberal Party leader. However, she may face challenges due to her close ties to Trudeau and his policies, as well as Trump's dislike of her, who labeled her "totally toxic" and "not conducive to making deals."

As a former liberal Canadian journalist who serves on the board of the World Economic Forum, Freeland's background and perspective may conflict with Trump's views and priorities.

Mark Carney

Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, is reportedly the favorite of Trudeau for the Liberals and has been in touch with Liberal MPs about a potential leadership bid.

Since its inception in 1694, the Bank of England has never had a foreigner as its governor, except for Carney. He is highly respected in the field of economics and is known for his contributions to Canada's quick recovery from the 2008 global financial crisis and the UK's management of Brexit.

He has never held elected office, and Conservative critics have already started to label him as a Trudeau clone.

Dominic LeBlanc

After Freeland's resignation, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc emerged as a top candidate.

LeBlanc, who was once Trudeau's babysitter, is now Trudeau's "fixer," taking over policy portfolios that others have messed up. He became public safety minister after Mendicino was widely criticized for his handling of the Freedom Convoy.

Recently, LeBlanc accompanied Trudeau on a visit to Mar-a-Lago to discuss tariffs with Trump. He has been praised for his excellent communication skills, but his close relationship with Trudeau may pose a challenge for the Liberals in the upcoming election.

Mélanie Joly

Mélanie Joly, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, visited Mar-a-Lago last month to discuss plans for securing the U.S.-Canada border with Trump's incoming "border czar" Tom Homan.

Joly, a rising star in the Liberal Party, serves on Trudeau's Cabinet committee on U.S. relations after Trump's 2024 victory. As Canada's top diplomat, she has been tested by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and handled issues specific to Canada, including deteriorating relations with China and a controversy with India related to the alleged murder of Canadian citizens, according to the New York Times.

Since being elected as an MP in 2015, Joly, an Oxford-educated lawyer and public relations specialist, has rapidly advanced in Liberal Party leadership. She advocates for "pragmatic diplomacy" to maintain peaceful relations with countries worldwide.

Christy Clark

Christy Clark, the former premier of British Columbia, has stated her desire to lead the Liberal Party. In October, during a time when several MPs were questioning Trudeau's leadership, she said: "I would like to be involved in the discussion about the future direction of the Liberal Party and the country."

After Trudeau resigned on Tuesday, she posted a message on social media thanking him for his service.

"Joining the Liberal Party is an opportunity to grow and welcome new members, including those concerned about the future of our country. As a lifelong Liberal, I am excited to be a part of this movement."

Observations by Canadian pundits suggest that Clark could be a suitable candidate for the Liberals due to her outsider status and separation from Trudeau's administration.

Frank Baylis

The first candidate to declare his bid for the Labor Party leadership is former Montreal MP and businessman Frank Baylis.

"I plan to run, but I'll formally announce it when the rules are set," Baylis stated in an interview with The Hill Times. "Yes, my intention is to run. I am doing so."

Baylis served in Parliament from 2015 to 2019. He is an electrical engineer by training and is currently executive chairman of Baylis Medical Technologies. He has argued that his successful career in business, negotiating contracts with parties in both Canada and the U.S., makes him an ideal person to deal with Trump.

He told The Hill Times that there is a need for a non-professional politician.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.