Doug Ford, the leader of Ontario province, was among those who criticised the move, which he described as "devastating". The official Canadian response has been more muted. CBC reported there had been a flurry of late-night calls between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump, and between the PM and province leaders.

The PMO says that meeting will be held Wednesday, signaling the urgency Trudeau and premiers feel about Trump's statements.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's agreed to meet with his provincial and territorial counterparts after Donald Trump threatened to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods. The U.S. president-elect said Monday night that on his first day back in the White House, he would impose a 25 per cent tax on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico.