Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie says Canada is ready to face the "biggest trade war in decades" from newly elected US President Donald Trump.

Trump, who is returning to the White House next week, plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada under his administration. The tariffs will target Mexico, China and other partners.

On Friday, Melanie Jolie said at a press conference in Washington, "This will be the biggest trade war between Canada and the United States in decades." She also noted, "The Americans will start a trade war against us."

Jolie warned, "We are ready to apply maximum pressure." If Trump carries out his threat to impose new tariffs, Canada is also ready to take countermeasures.

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also made the same statement at a meeting of the newly formed Canada-US Relations Council on the same day. He said he would retaliate if Trump goes ahead with his plan to impose tariffs on Canadian imports.

Trudeau also warned, "No one wants to see U.S. tariffs on our products, but Canada stands ready to respond nationally if necessary." He said, "We will remain firm and unequivocal in our defense of Canada and Canadians."

Trudeau added, "The proposed tariffs would put American jobs at risk, raise prices for American consumers, undermine our collective security and increase costs for the entire continent."