Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the U.S. has launched a continental trade war and Canada is fighting back.

The next Liberal leader is scheduled to be announced on March 9. Behind the scenes, work to prepare the transition has already begun.

We cannot change Donald Trump, but we can control our economic destiny,” one of the candidates, Mark Carney, said.

Trump imposed tariffs against Washington’s three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial markets into a tailspin. Just after midnight, Trump put 25% taxes, or tariffs, on Mexican and Canadian imports, though he limited the levy to 10% on Canadian energy.

“Please, do not boo the national anthem in Canada and in the U.S.,” the premier said passionately. “These are soldiers who fought for our freedoms, our democracies, our sovereignty that laid their lives on the line.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone this afternoon about trade and fentanyl. A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office confirms the call took place. More coming.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the U.S. has launched a continental trade war and Canada is fighting back. Speaking directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, Trudeau says enacting the tariffs "is a very dumb thing to do.