Federal Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland says she is going to take the party in a more “practical” and “pragmatic” direction if she is elected leader.

Freeland is one of six candidates who are vying for the leadership, and thus the status of Prime Minister when Justin Trudeau steps down.

Freeland says she plans on doing several things differently than the current administration, such as dropping the consumer carbon tax, which she says people don’t like and don’t want.

She also says a big focus of hers will be messaging coming out of the United States from President Donald Trump.

“I take Trump seriously, I really think he wants to beat us up.” Freeland says comments about tariffs and wanting Canada to be the 51st state need to be taken seriously. She says she “knows how to handle (Trump),” noting that she negotiated a new NAFTA deal with his first Administration.

The other candidates in the leadership race are Jaime Battiste, Frank Baylis, Mark Carney, Ruby Dhalla, and Karina Gould.

Freeland says Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald is supporting her leadership bid. Mark Carney meanwhile has received official endorsement of Yvonne Jones, Gudie Hutchings, Seamus O’Regan and Churence Rogers.

The Liberal party will choose its new leader March 9th.