Joly, Wilkinson prioritize handling Trump tariffs when asked if they will run for Liberal leader

Canada’s federal Liberals are now turning their attention to a leadership race following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to resign – though it’s currently unclear who intends to run. Addressing the possibility of entering the race, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters Wednesday that being able to defend Canada’s interests is a key focus for her in the context of the incoming U.S. administration, led by president-elect Donald Trump, who is threatening to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods. “This is something that not only I’m very concerned about, but we have to be extremely ready because the threat of tariffs is real,” Joly said. Joly placed third in a recent poll which asked a sample of 1,000 Canadians aged 18 and older who they would choose as a potential replacement for Trudeau. First on the list is former deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland, with former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney as the runner-up. Minister of Energy and National Resources Jonathan Wilkinson shared a similar sentiment as Joly, expressing the importance of maintaining “sufficient support within the [Liberal] caucus,” referring also to the importance he feels his job holds in maintaining a healthy relationship between the U.S. and Canada. If he were to become Liberal leader, Wilkinson said he would “be happy to take [Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre] on, one-on-one,” about the ongoing carbon pricing debate in the House of Commons “any day of the week.” For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10948630/liberal-leadership-race-polling-potential-candidates/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #Canada #JustinTrudeau