Who is Melanie Joly, the woman challenging US and China? She is being compared to Italy’s Giorgia Meloni due to…

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly has also targeted US President Donald Trump over the latter's threat to impose reciprocal tariffs, and his rhetoric of making Canada the "51st state" of the United States.

While Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is often in the news for her bold stance on key global issues, another female politician has recently hogged the headlines for defying global power players, including US President Donald Trump, and China. The woman we are talking about is Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, who has openly condemned the execution of four Canadian citizens accused of drug smuggling by China.

Canada FM defies Trump, castigates China

In a presser on Wednesday, Melanie Joly confirmed the executions, stating that Ottawa had sought clemency for the individuals but was ultimately unsuccessful. “We will continue to engage with China as we’ll continue to not only strongly condemn but also ask for leniency for other Canadians that are facing similar situations,” Joly told reporters.

Joly said that both she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made direct appeals to Beijing to prevent the executions. The four individuals, who held Canadian and Chinese citizenship, had been facing criminal charges linked to drug offences, according to Chinese authorities. However, China does not recognise dual nationality, treating them solely as Chinese citizens under its legal system.

Earlier, the Canadian foreign minister had also targeted US President Donald Trump over the latter’s threat to impose reciprocal tariffs, and his rhetoric of making Canada the “51st state” of the United States. Addressing a presser last week, Melanie Joly had launched a scathing attack against Trump, stating that no American was “safe” under his regime.

Who is Melanie Joly?

An alumnus of the prestigious Oxford University, Melanie Joly, 46, began her political career in 2013, and was first elected to the Canadian Parliament in 2015. Joly is considered a close confidante of former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and was given charge of Canada’s foreign ministry during Trudeau’s government.

Melanie Joly has contested thrice in the Canadian Parliament elections, emerging victorious on all three occasions. Before entering politics, Joly was a lawyer by profession, and also worked in the Canadian Tourism Department.

Notably, Melanie Joly was in the race for Canada’s Prime Minister following Justin Trudeau’s decision to resign as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, as well as the Prime Minister of the country.

However, Joly withdrew from the race, saying she has decided not to run, citing the need to focus on addressing international challenges, including economic pressures and tariff threats from the US President Donald Trump.

“Over the past week, I have spoken with dozens of friends, colleagues and close advisors; many of whom have encouraged me to run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. While I know I am ready to become the first woman to lead the Liberal Party of Canada, I must also recognise that the current international situation, especially the unjustified threat of tariffs and other economic pressures from the President-elect of the United States, requires a firm and urgent response. This is happening now,” she had written in a letter shared on X.

Joly is often in the headlines for her fiery speeches, and many have compared her headstrong demeanor to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.