MONTREAL, Jan 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Canada's former deputy prime minister 
Chrystia Freeland launched her campaign Sunday to replace Justin Trudeau as 
Liberal Party leader and prime minister, pitching herself as the best option 
to oppose incoming US president Donald Trump.

Freeland had been one of Trudeau's closest allies in government since the 
Liberals swept into office in 2015, also serving four years as finance 
minister until her dramatic resignation last month.

In a scathing resignation letter, she accused Trudeau of putting his own 
political interest above the urgent need to prepare Canada for the potential 
threats of the incoming Trump administration, including a possible trade war.

Freeland's departure was seen as a devastating blow that pushed Trudeau to 
announce his plans to leave office.

Trudeau has said he will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until the 
Liberals choose a new leader, which is expected on March 9.

At an event officially launching her leadership bid, Freeland said "Donald 
Trump doesn't like me for one simple reason: I have been fierce, resolute and 
effective in defending Canada."

Trump, who retakes power on Monday, has threatened to impose a 25 percent 
tariff on all Canadian imports until Canada addresses what he calls the flow 
of undocumented migrants and the drug fentanyl into the United States.

Trump called Freeland "totally toxic" following her December resignation.

Freeland was a lead negotiator at talks to revise North American free trade 
agreements during Trump's first term.

Freeland on Sunday promised a "dollar for dollar retaliation" in response to 
any Trump tariffs.

"If you force our hand, we will inflict the biggest trade blow that the 
United States has ever endured," she said.

She blasted Trump's proposed tariffs as "illegal and unjustified."

In entering the race, Freeland immediately becomes a front-runner to replace 
Trudeau along with Mark Carney, who previously led the Bank of Canada and the 
Bank of England.

Carney has positioned himself as an outsider not tainted by the unpopular 
Trudeau.

The Liberals are trailing the Conservatives badly in polls.

That means the winner of the Liberal leadership contest may not serve as 
prime minister for long, as opposition parties have pledged to bring down the 
government after parliament returns on March 24, triggering a general 
election.