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 on Friday said U.S. President Donald Trump's talk about absorbing Canada "is a real thing" and is linked to the country's rich natural resources, a government source said.