President Donald Trump's threats to impose punishing tariffs on Canada and Mexico may be part of a strategy to gain leverage ahead of new negotiations on a regional trade agreement, experts said.

President Donald Trump has once again stirred the waters of international trade, reiterating his threat to impose tariffs on Canada unless certain conditions are met. In a bold move, Trump suggested that Canada could avoid these tariffs by becoming a state within the United States.

Trump said in an Oval Office signing ceremony on Monday that his administration will impose a 25% tax on goods from Canada and Mexico that may come as soon as February 1 – a move that could raise prices for American consumers.