Foreign Minister Melanie Joly says Canada is ready to confront US President-elect Donald Trump in the “biggest trade war” in decades.

Trump, who will return to the White House next week, has said he plans to slap punishing 25-percent tariffs on Canadian imports as part of his economic and foreign policy that also targets Mexico, China and other partners.

“This would be the biggest trade war between Canada and the US in decades,” Joly said on Friday at a press conference in Washington. “The Americans would be starting a trade war against us.

“We are ready to put maximum pressure,” Joly said, adding that Canada has a series of measures prepared if Trump carries out his threats on new tariffs, which would have a major impact on Canadian consumers and jobs.

Joly’s warning came after she visited Washington from January 15 to 17 to meet with American government leaders to discuss pressing issues such as bilateral trade and security along the 8,891 km border between the two North American countries.

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made similar remarks on Friday at a meeting of the newly created Canada-US Relations Council, vowing to hit back if Trump follows through on his threat to impose tariffs on Canadian imports.

“No one wants to see US tariffs imposed on our goods. But Canada will be ready with a national response if we need one,” Trudeau warned.

“We will be strong and unequivocal in our defense of Canada and Canadians,” he said.

“The proposed tariffs would put American jobs at risk, raise prices for American consumers, put our collective security at risk and raise costs all across the continent.”

Speaking to MSNBC earlier this week, the outgoing Canadian prime minister said Ottawa isn’t looking for a trade war with the new administration but will have to retaliate if the US puts tariffs on Canadian goods.

Media reports cited Canadian government sources as saying that Ottawa is prepared to slap tariffs on American goods, including steel products, ceramics, tiles, glassware and orange juice, in a first phase that could be extended.