Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the two main themes of discussions with provincial and territorial leaders today centre around increasing trade partnerships with the United States and Canada’s response to possible tariffs.

Trudeau told reporters today that Canada’s energy partnership with the United States is incredibly important for the US.

Critical minerals are also an important export item.

He says if the United States doesn’t get its critical minerals -essential elements for a growing number of emerging technologies – from Canada, it’s going to have to get them from China.

In terms of possible retaliatory measures if tariffs are imposed on Canadian goods, Ontario Premier and Chair of the Council of the Federation, Doug Ford – wearing a hat emblazoned with the phrase “Canada is not for sale” – says those measures are in the works.

“I’m a strong believer in retaliatory tariffs; you can’t let someone hit you over the head with a sledgehammer without hitting him back twice as hard,” Ford told reporters today.