The eleventh-hour reprieve for Canada came just hours after President Trump had agreed a similar deal with Mexico.

President Donald Trump has finally made good on a campaign promise to raise tariffs on Chinese imports – announcing on Saturday duties of 10% on all Chinese goods coming in the country as part of sweeping trade measures that also targeted Mexico and Canada.

China's tariffs - due to begin next Monday - would also apply to US oil and farm machinery, but more talks are due this week.