Canada's opposition Conservative party has vowed to build a nationwide oil and gas pipeline to counter the threat of US tariffs

Ottawa (Bloomberg) - Canada's opposition Conservative leader has vowed to build an "east to west economy" by building trans-national oil and gas pipelines as part of a response to the threat of higher U.S. tariffs.

Speaking at his first "Canada First" campaign event in Ottawa on Saturday, Povalevl promised to fight back strongly against any tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, while overhauled the natural resources sector to strengthen Canada's economy against threats from the United States.

"We have to be prepared for the worst," he said. We can no longer rely on the Americans alone for trade. We can no longer see them as our backup defense. My friends, these threats are a wake-up call."

A few weeks ago, the Conservatives were poised for a landslide election victory in the coming months, but Povalevl's lead in the polls has narrowed sharply as Trump has intensified his attacks on Canada's economy and sovereignty, prompting Canadians to focus more on the United States than on domestic issues.

In his speech Saturday, Povalevl focused heavily on retaliating against any tariffs, strengthening borders, cutting taxes, boosting energy production and averting a possible recession in the face of an escalating U.S.-Canada trade dispute.

"We will respond equally to all tariffs on Canadian goods," he warned. "We're going to make sure that the American people know that they're going to pay a price for the tariffs that they're going to impose on us."

Since his return to the White House last month, Mr Trump has taken aim at America's northern neighbour. He argues that Canada has failed to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking at the U.S. border and has threatened to impose steep tariffs on Canadian imports.