President Donald Trump's threats to impose punishing tariffs on Canada and Mexico may be part of a strategy to gain leverage ahead of new negotiations on a regional trade agreement, experts said.

The Trudeau government and regional leaders have put into place a retaliation strategy that's ready to go as leaders call for a national buy-Canadian response to President Donald Trump's tariff plans.

The premier of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said on Friday he would call an early election, citing the need for a strong mandate to fight against tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump.