(Reuters) - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday warned that potential 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada suggested by President-elect Donald Trump could harm the U.S. auto sector, boost vehicle prices and benefit China.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested that President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks about Canada becoming America’s “51st state” is distracting the public from the harm that steep tariffs would have on U.

Although aluminium prices for U.S. consumers have risen since Donald Trump's election win, the rise has been muted, signalling the industry is not expecting the President-elect to carry out his threat to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian imports.