Canadian energy minister says Ottawa will respond to any US tariffs

WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - Canadian Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told CNN on Tuesday his country will respond to any tariffs from the U.S. while also adding Canada was not looking to escalate or provoke trade tensions between the two countries.

The energy minister said Canada was not interested in being a competitor to the U.S. while responding to White House comments that Canada was viewed as a competitor by Washington.

The White House said on Tuesday the previously planned 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum products from the United States' northern neighbor and all other countries would take effect on Wednesday.