Despite winning a month-long reprieve from potentially devastating U.S. tariffs, there is a deep sense of anxiety hanging over some of the most senior Canadian government officials who manage the relationship with President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump agreed to pause the implementation of planned tariffs on imports from Canada for at least 30 days, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. The pause was announced hours after Trump and Mexico’s president said Trump would pause for one month planned tariffs on imports from Mexico.

F or four years, the popularity of Canada’s governing Liberal Party had been declining. When its leader, Justin Trudeau, announced that he would step down as prime minister on January 6th, the party was as unpopular as it has ever been in its 158-year history.