Dhaka, Feb. 26 -- US President Donald Trump and his threats to slap punishing tariffs on Canada dominated a televised leadership debate Monday as part of the race to become the country's next prime minister.

The contenders to succeed Justin Trudeau clamoured to present themselves as the best choice to take on the mercurial American president, calling him "a threat" and warning that "he wants our country."

Former central banker Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the race, is favored by Canadians to deal with Trump on trade and other US bilateral issues, according to polls.

"We have to recognize that the Trump of today, he's not the same Trump he was before," Carney said. "He's more unilateralist, more isolationist, more aggressive."

"He u...