US President Donald Trump said that he was thinking of imposing the tariffs on Canada and Mexico by February 1.

The focus on American prosperity and national security is the latest pivot by Canadian officials as the country tries to find its footing with the new Trump administration, and - more urgently - avert the threat of blanket 25% import tariffs imposed by the US, its largest trade partner and closest ally.

Canada’s political leaders have responded to Trump’s threats to use “economic force” to transform Canada into the US’s 51st state with doubled-down pledges of fealty to the Canada-US military-strategic partnership,