President Donald Trump's threats to impose punishing tariffs on Canada and Mexico may be part of a strategy to gain leverage ahead of new negotiations on a regional trade agreement, experts said.

While much about the threatened tariffs is still unclear, experts predict they would be bad news for all three economies, with few winners.

Trump said in an Oval Office signing ceremony on Monday that his administration will impose a 25% tax on goods from Canada and Mexico that may come as soon as February 1 – a move that could raise prices for American consumers.