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.

Stocks of GM and Ford took a hit, amid concerns that Trump’s plan for tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada could cut auto sales more than a million cars.