Trump slams departing Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland as impediment to dealmaking

President-elect Donald Trump says Canada’s departing finance minister was an obstacle to U.S.-Canada relations and “will not be missed.”

Chrystia Freeland, deputy Canadian prime minister and finance minister, resigned Monday, telling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau they remained “at odds” over the way forward while facing a 25% tariff threat from Mr. Trump.

“The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau. Her behavior was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!” Mr. Trump posted late Monday on Truth Social.

During a recent meeting with Mr. Trudeau at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump referred to Canada as the 51st state. The Canadian leader pointed out the financial pain caused by tariffs. Mr. Trump said if Canada can’t handle a levy on its goods, it should become a U.S. state.

Ms. Freeland said Mr. Trudeau was firing her as finance minister but offered her a separate position in his government. She decided the best way forward was to resign.

The episode may hurt Mr. Trudeau’s grip on power. He’s been prime minister for nearly a decade but faces complaints about inflation.

In her resignation letter, Ms. Freeland accused Mr. Trudeau of resorting to “political gimmicks” such as a sales tax holiday and checks to taxpayers. She said Canada needed to keep its “fiscal powder dry” so it had the reserves to deal with Mr. Trump’s tariff threat.

“That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment,” Ms. Freeland wrote. “How we deal with the threat our country currently faces will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer. Canada will win if we are strong, smart and united.”