In the hours before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 30-day pause on US President Donald Trump’s threatened 25% tariff on Canadian goods, the co-founder of one of Canada’s largest auto parts manufacturers was bewildered.

Ms Sheinbaum (pictured) won praise at home and abroad for her handling of her mercurial American counterpart. Throughout the confrontation her demeanour was respectful but firm. When Mr Trump ordered tariffs on February 1st, she told her team to prepare countermeasures, but did not publicise the details.

President Trump said he would speak Monday morning with the leaders of Canada and Mexico after imposing a fresh round of tariffs on imports from those countries and made clear it would take significant action to lift the tariffs.