Wed Mar 05 23:36:20 UTC 2025: ## Trump Accuses Trudeau of Using Trade Tensions for Political Gain

**OTTAWA/WASHINGTON —** US President Donald Trump has accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of exploiting the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries to bolster his political standing ahead of his impending resignation. In a social media post following a Wednesday phone call, Trump claimed Trudeau’s inability to specify the date of Canada’s upcoming election signaled a deliberate attempt to leverage the trade dispute for political survival.

Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January, is set to leave office this weekend after the Liberal party selects his successor. The new leader will then become Prime Minister and have the authority to call a federal election, which must be held by October at the latest.

The accusations follow a recent escalation in trade tensions, with Trump imposing a 25 percent tariff on Canadian imports. Trudeau responded sharply on Tuesday, criticizing the tariffs as “dumb” despite acknowledging Trump’s intelligence. He also accused Trump of attempting to destabilize the Canadian economy to facilitate annexation, echoing Trump’s past statements about making Canada the 51st US state.

The strained relationship between Trump and Trudeau, characterized by disagreements over trade and fentanyl trafficking, has further deteriorated in recent months. Trump’s latest accusations paint a picture of a deeply fractured relationship, with the US President alleging Trudeau is using the trade conflict for personal political advantage.

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