Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Friday announced she would not run in the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying she wanted to focus on the threat posed by potential U.S. tariffs.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said she won’t enter the leadership race to succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly heads to Washington next week to press the incoming Trump administration not to impose damaging tariffs on Canada.

Canada's ruling Liberal Party is looking for a new leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced on Monday he intended to step down. The name of the winner will be released on March 9.

Canadian cabinet ministers will discuss on Friday how they could retaliate if the new U.S. administration imposes tariffs on imports from Canada, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said. Canada's Liberal government has repeatedly made clear it will strike back if President-elect Donald Trump goes ahead with a threat to slap 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada unless Ottawa does more to boost border security.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says she has decided not to run for the Liberal Leadership. She says she is ready to be the first woman to lead the Liberal Party of Canada but she is not ready to step away from her cabinet role at a crucial time in Canada-U.