The Canadian candidate for prime minister said she believes Trump is smart and is threatening to impose tariffs on allies in part to pave the way for tougher policies on China.

A key candidate running to replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister is calling for an international summit to hammer out a joint response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff and sovereignty threats.

Freeland, who is casting herself as the leadership candidate best able to deal with Trump, is calling for a “buy Canadian” response to tariffs that would threaten to cut the U.S. off from Canadian government procurement, with the exception of defence.

Canada Liberal Leadership Candidate Chrystia Freeland says Canada should respond now to President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs. She says a list of possible tariffs Canada could impose on the US should be published.