Canada’s premiers are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step up border security and defense spending to assuage US President-elect Donald Trump’s concerns, with the leader of the largest province calling the federal government “slow to react” and “stuck on its back foot.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he spoke with President-elect Trump Monday evening about his tariff pledge and vowed to address concerns the incoming administration might have about its northern neighbor.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada must stay united against a threat by Donald Trump to impose tariffs but two major provinces quickly called on him to address the U.S. President-elect's concerns.