President Trump followed draconian tariffs by doubling down on his demand for Canada to abandon its sovereignty and become an American state.

In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump suggested that the endgame of the 25 per cent border duties he imposed on both Canada and Mexico was that the northern neighbour “ceases to exist” as a country.

He has previously said the tariffs were aimed at stopping the flow of illegal migrants and narcotics over the US borders.

Canada has responded with plans for its own tariffs on American goods and Mexico said it also planned to retaliate.