The US President Donald Trump has sparked a bitter trade war with Mexico and Canada, who have hit back with retaliatory tariffs after the US president slapped both countries with huge levies

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a talk with business leaders, said Canada’s wealth of critical minerals are behind Mr. Trump’s comments about making its northern neighbor a U.S. state.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told business and labor leaders that he didn’t believe Trump was joking about wanting to annex Canada and suggested his interest might be connected to the country’s minerals and energy resources.