Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he is stepping down as leader of Canada’s Liberal Party after mounting speculation and internal dissent.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process.”

Justin Trudeau has been Canada’s prime minister since 2015 but had faced plummeting popular support, as well as opposition within his own party, with his finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigning last month amid a public spat over how to respond to Trump’s vow to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Freeland is considered one of the possible successors to Trudeau, as is close ally Dominic LeBlanc, who was appointed to replace Freeland in December. Liberal Party economic adviser Mark Carney and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly are also considered top contenders. Canada is scheduled to hold federal elections this year.

Polls indicate Canada’s Conservatives would win elections if they were held today. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who’s been compared to Donald Trump, has pushed anti-labor and anti-regulation measures and called for expanding oil and gas development. On Monday, Trump responded to Trudeau’s announcement by posting on his social media site, “If Canada merged with the US, there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”