Trudeau held a news conference Saturday evening to announce that Canada will respond with an immediate $30-billion retaliation package, which will be followed by $125 billion in duties on American products in 21 days to give companies and supply chains time to find alternatives.

The president says there is nothing that Canada, Mexico or China can do to prevent the tariffs from being implemented.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will decide Thursday night whether to include oil in his tariff plan, as he confirmed his intention to impose devastating duties on Canadian imports on Saturday.

Trump also told the crowd that Canada has been tough to deal with over the years.

Canadian officials are adopting a different tone after President Donald Trump ordered a study of the United States' trade relationship with Canada, pushing the threat of devastating tariffs down the road — temporarily.

The February date comes after Trump officials, speaking anonymously, suggested to reporters that the Republican president would only sign a memorandum telling federal agencies to study trade issues, including alleged unfair trade and currency practices by Canada, Mexico and China.

Canadians will be anxiously watching inauguration day ceremonies to see what is among Trump's early priorities amid threats to slap Canada with a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff on Monday.

Wilkinson spent several days in Washington, D.C. this week meeting with Congressional Republicans as Canada tries to limit the damage from Trump's promise to sign an executive order Monday to hit its North American neighbours with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on all exports to the United States.

Wilkinson told American lawmakers Wednesday that the best way for the U.S. to protect its economic dominance and national security from China is to work with Canada.

President-elect Trump responded to Trudeau's announcement saying the prime minister is resigning because he knows the U.S. will not put up with trade deficits with Canada. Trump also said many Canadians would love to be the 51st state.