Chrystia Freeland isn’t just taking on Trump—she’s challenging the global rise of authoritarianism, misogyny and fear-based politics.
Chrystia Freeland, former deputy prime minister and finance minister of Canada, has taken on Donald Trump before. During his last presidency, she was Canada’s quarterback, who amidst Trump’s snarky comments and bullying, charmingly negotiated her way out into a cohesive NAFTA deal that worked not only for Canada but all players. Now she is up for a rematch.
Trump calls her “toxic,” not only because she is a woman who challenges him, but because this journalist-turned-politician knows how to outmaneuver Trump’s team, and make her way out of his brash, zero-sum tycoon worldview of hierarchy. Trump has long been criticized for his poor (and sometimes violent) treatment of women; now as he is on a roll wrecking institutions in the U.S. and making America a threat to its allies, Freeland is pushing back, setting herself up as an explicit counterpart of Trump 2.0—one that American progressives see as a model of their own fight.
In the weeks leading up to Chrystia Freeland’s unexpected resignation from the Trudeau government, I had the chance to work with her and her office regarding a civil society issue. This was during an especially intense period, as she was immersed in finalizing a high-stakes federal budget—one that would shape Canada’s economic trajectory and address key national and international policy issues. Despite the mounting pressure of political deadlines, financial scrutiny and internal negotiations, Freeland displayed a capacity to balance multiple, often competing, priorities without letting critical details slip through the cracks.
It gave me the impression that even when time was scarce, she engaged thoughtfully, acknowledging the broader implications of civil society concerns. It wasn’t just a demonstration of work ethic; it was a glimpse into her feminine (though she has never explicitly used the woman card) leadership style.
From compliments I’ve heard from people who admire her and work with her, Freeland seems methodical, empathetic and resilient under pressure. Her ability to synthesize complex moving parts while navigating political turbulence is perhaps one of the most underrated aspects of her public service.
Around the time of Chrystia Freeland’s resignation, I was in Europe meeting with several incoming European commissioners and Cabinet members of the European Parliament, as part of our advocacy work on press freedom and the safety of women journalists worldwide. What struck me during these meetings, and even in casual conversations, was how frequently Freeland’s name came up, entirely unprompted. When I mentioned I was visiting from Canada, numerous female leaders expressed their admiration for her leadership.
In a world still largely dominated by male leaders, with masculinity on the rise again, Freeland’s reputation had clearly carved out space in global discussions of what effective, principled leadership could look like.
What struck me during these meetings, and even in casual conversations, was how frequently Freeland’s name came up, entirely unprompted.
In settings as formal as policy discussions, and as relaxed as an informal brunch at a friend’s apartment in Paris, I saw women leaders quietly, but intentionally, connecting across borders. At that brunch, an American diplomat shared how impressed she had been after meeting Freeland during a recent trip to Paris, noting her composure, strategic clarity and intellectual depth. These moments reminded me that, in a time where masculinity is once again defining much of global leadership, many women in power are looking to one another for inspiration, solidarity and models of leadership that challenge the status quo. Freeland was seen as a leader among international peers even before she officially launched her recent campaign to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, focused on taking on Trump.
But this isn’t just about challenging one controversial leader—it’s about taking on the entire phenomenon he represents. Freeland’s campaign is a direct response to the rise of political bullies, the erosion of democratic values and the normalization of fear-driven, authoritarian rhetoric that has crept into global politics.
Trump is merely the loudest and most visible figurehead of this broader wave. His presidency fueled populist movements that thrived on sowing division, undermining the press, and exploiting public distrust of institutions. Freeland’s challenge is not just to oppose the man who imposed punishing tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, or who claimed Canada “doesn’t have a military,” but to stand firm against the global spread of Trumpism, an ideology rooted in misogyny, nationalism, isolationism and the rejection of multilateral cooperation.
Freeland’s leadership style is distinctly the opposite: calm, principled and inclusive. Her response to Trump’s tariffs during the NAFTA renegotiations was not fueled by retaliation or bluster but by strategic diplomacy and unwavering resilience. Wearing her now-famous “Keep Calm and Negotiate NAFTA” T-shirt, she successfully preserved key trade protections, earning her the title of Diplomat of the Year in 2018 by Foreign Policy Magazine. Her ability to remain measured under pressure is precisely what sets her apart from the performative, conflict-driven leaders she is up against.
This fight also touches on her feminist approach to leadership. Under Trump’s administration, women leaders and women journalists were frequent targets of abuse and public humiliation. Freeland is uniquely positioned to lead this counter-effort because she embodies the very principles Trumpism opposes, collaboration, gender equity and respect for democratic norms. Of course, when Trump publicly attacked Black women journalists like Yamiche Alcindor and April Ryan for asking tough questions, it wasn’t just about silencing them—it was about silencing women’s voices and challenging the legitimacy of dissent.
Even though Freeland’s long legacy of working alongside Trudeau has branded her as his “right hand,” it’s no surprise that she has inherited much, if not nearly all, of the blame for the public’s frustration with the Trudeau administration’s perceived failures. Critics overlook that Freeland was often the stabilizing force within Trudeau’s government, bringing sobriety and precision to critical policy areas where her influence was decisive. What is often dismissed as loyalty to Trudeau was, in many cases, her unique ability to navigate high-stakes political terrain with tact and strategic depth.
Under Freeland’s leadership, Canada launched a $30 billion national childcare program, a transformative initiative aimed at making childcare affordable for families, reducing barriers to women’s participation in the workforce and addressing gender inequities in the labor market. This program wasn’t just a social policy—it was part of Freeland’s broader economic vision, recognizing that gender equity isn’t just a moral imperative but an economic necessity. Her efforts to close the gender pay gap, promote women’s leadership and integrate gender-based analysis into Canada’s budgets is often overlooked. But I see a feminist approach in her governance, a defining aspect of her leadership that has made tangible impacts on Canada’s workforce and economy, one that can be a great example for neighboring and global democracies striving for the same.
Freeland’s capacity to see climate policy as economic policy, even when faced with short-term political pressures, is visionary. Rather than framing climate change as a costly burden, she treated it as an opportunity for Canada to position itself as a leader in the global green economy. Her budgets included substantial investments in renewable energy projects, electric vehicle infrastructure and sustainable technologies. For Freeland, fighting climate change wasn’t just about reducing emissions—it was about creating high-paying jobs, boosting technological innovation and future-proofing Canada’s economy. This strategy earned her respect from global leaders who saw her as a pragmatic visionary capable of balancing environmental responsibility with economic growth.
In today’s volatile world, Freeland’s vision goes further. She is crafting policies that address vulnerabilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply-chain disruptions and overreliance on foreign imports. Her plan to strengthen domestic manufacturing, invest in technology sectors like clean energy and promote small business resilience underscores her holistic approach to economic stability. Where others see balancing the books as an end goal, Freeland views it as part of a broader strategy to future-proof Canada’s economy against future crises, whether they come in the form of another Trump presidency, global market instability or environmental catastrophes. She does all that without attaching DEI and immigrants.
Her ability to stay composed under pressure, find innovative solutions and champion progressive values are not only good for Canada, but for a world thirsty for a flavor of strong female world leaders.
Freeland’s campaign seeks to move beyond the rhetoric of division by advocating for policies that address root causes that are integral to our democracies: economic inequality, gender disparities, climate insecurity and the weakening of democratic institutions.
By challenging bullies like Trump, Freeland isn’t just defending Canada’s sovereignty; she’s making a broader statement about the kind of leadership the world needs. In an era where many politicians are adopting fear-based tactics to hold onto power, Freeland speaks softly and represents a path forward that prioritizes stability, progress and the preservation of democratic values.
