Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned Monday, ahead of general elections later this year in which the ruling Liberal Party is polling badly and amid tensions with President-elect Trump, who has threatened steep tariffs on the country over border policies.  “I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister,” Trudeau said.  “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.” Trudeau, 53, has served as prime minister for nine years and as Liberal leader for 11 years, but he was facing mounting crises and troubling polls against the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre. Among the recent blows to Trudeau were the public resignation of a top minister, a confrontation with the U.S. over Trump’s threats of 25 percent tariffs, a conflict over immigration, and the high cost of living.  The move comes ahead of an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators Wednesday. Trudeau said Canada’s governor general has granted his request that a new session of Parliament is needed, and the Parliament will be in prorogue until March 24. Prorogue indicates suspending a session of Parliament without formally dissolving it. The decision will set off a competitive leadership race to replace Trudeau as the Liberals' leader ahead of general elections and amid the Conservative Party's gains in popularity. General elections are expected to take place on or before Oct. 20. “I’m a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians. I care deeply about this country, and I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians,” Trudeau said.  “And the fact is, despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history. That's why, this morning, I advised the governor general that we need a new session of Parliament, she has granted this request, and the House will now be prorogued until March 24.” Talk of Trudeau resigning ramped up after the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in mid-December; Freeland criticized Trudeau as pursuing “costly political gimmicks” in the face of Trump’s tariff threats.  Among Trudeau’s proposals were a two-month sales tax holiday and 250 Canadian dollar ($175) rebates to Canadians. Trump has trolled Trudeau as Canada’s “governor,” sarcastically calling America’s northern neighbor and NATO ally the “51st state.” Trump threatened 25 percent tariffs on Canada over demands for the country to do more to root out any illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border — such instances are a fraction of the total numbers of illegal immigration and drug crossings that largely come across America’s southern border.  Trump welcomed Trudeau to his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago in the wake of the tariff threats. Updated at 11:45 a.m. EST