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.

On Monday and Tuesday, President Trump announced that he would be keeping one of his key campaign promises and imposing by Feb. 1 a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico as punishment for allowing drugs and migrants to cross into the United States as well as an additional 10% tariff on goods from China to penalize the country for sending

Donald Trump grabbed onto the idea of hitting Canada with tariffs almost immediately after November's election and he hasn't let go since.