Canberra: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will join a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ phone call with other world leaders Saturday to discuss the potential deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine. The call is being arranged by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It is also set to include the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Canada and New Zealand, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Albanese is open to considering a request to send Australian troops as part of a peacekeeping force, state-run media agency Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Friday, quoting sources.

Addressing reporters Friday, Opposition leader and Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections in Australia Peter Dutton said that Australia should not be involved, accusing PM Albanese of “shooting from the hip”.

“It just doesn’t make any sense. Our job is to take care of our country and make sure we are safe in our region. We have supported Ukraine from day one. But not with troops on the ground. This was a thought bubble by the Prime Minister,” Dutton added, ABC reported.

Earlier Australia sent its top defence official Air Vice Marshal Di Turton at a meeting called by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris Tuesday to discuss support for Ukraine. Macron hosted military chiefs from 30 European and NATO countries to discuss security assurances for Ukraine following a hope for a ceasefire deal. Macron has teamed up with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to lead efforts to form a ‘coalition of the willing’ to enforce an eventual ceasefire in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Canberra Monday warned of ‘grave consequences’ if Australia joined a ‘coalition of the willing’ proposed by the United Kingdom and France to guarantee Ukraine’s security in the event of a peace deal, something PM Anthony Albanese said he would consider.

“For Australia, joining the so-called coalition of the willing would entail grave consequences,” reported Sydney Morning Herald while quoting a statement from the Russian Embassy in Canberra.

“Once again, Western boots on the ground are unacceptable for Russia, and we will not remain passive observers. To those inclined to construe the above as a threat: it is not; it is a warning. Russia has no intention to harm Australians, and Canberra can easily avoid trouble by simply refraining from irresponsible adventurism in the zone of the special military operation,” the statement added.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reacted strongly to the statement, saying that the Albanese government ‘won’t be intimidated’.

“Our message to Russia is: end your illegal invasion of Ukraine. We won’t be intimidated from working towards a just peace for the people of Ukraine,” she stated.

IANS

Ottawa: Canada has taken official steps by requesting consultations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to dispute US import duties on steel and aluminum products from Canada, according to a statement issued by the trade organization.

The request was circulated to WTO members Thursday, said the statement.

Canada argued that US measures, which ceased its exemption and increased duties, contravene US obligations under GATT 1994, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mary Ng, minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development, said Wednesday that Canada was seeking formal consultations with the US regarding tariffs on steel and aluminum.

“Canada is deeply disappointed that the US has chosen to reimpose these unjustified tariffs that hurt workers and businesses on both sides of the border,” Ng said in the statement. “These unilateral tariffs violate the United States’ obligations under both the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the WTO Agreement.”

Francois-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, made a statement Thursday that Canadian steel and aluminum form the basis of North America’s critical infrastructure and manufacturing base, while supporting vital US industries, including defense, shipbuilding and automotive.

The industry minister said he directed Industry Canada to prioritise funding of projects that use predominantly Canadian steel and aluminum.

Canada announced Wednesday reciprocal tariffs on US steel and aluminum imports worth 29.8 billion Canadian dollars ($20.7 billion). This trade move came in response to US President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports coming into effect on the same day.

February 10, US President Donald Trump signed proclamations to raise tariffs on aluminum from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, aligning them with the existing tariff rate for steel.

He also decided to eliminate duty-free quotas, exemptions, and exclusions for steel and aluminum tariffs. These measures were set to take effect March 12.

March 11, Trump announced a plan to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent in response to tariffs on electricity exports from the Canadian province of Ontario. But the plan was reversed later that day after Ontario dropped the electricity export tariffs affecting three US states.

IANS

Washington: US President Donald Trump Tuesday escalated the trade war with Canada by doubling the tariff on steel and aluminum imports from that country.

Trump announced the additional 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel — taking it up to 50 per cent — in a long post on his social media platform Truth Social, in retaliation for Ontario, a province of Canada, announcing a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exports to the American states of New York, Michigan and Minnesota to protest Trump’s tariff on imports from Canada.

The new tariff rates go into effect from Wednesday.

“Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25 per cent tariff on ‘electricity’ coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an additional 25 per cent tariff, to 50 per cent, on all steel and aluminium coming into the United States from Canada, one of the highest tariffing nations anywhere in the world,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This will go into effect tomorrow morning, March 12th”.

Trump said further: “Also, Canada must immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250 per cent to 390 per cent on various US dairy products, which has long been considered outrageous. I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area. This will allow the US to quickly do what has to be done to alleviate this abusive threat from Canada. If other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the US which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada.”

Trump in February reinstated the 25 per cent tariff on all steel imports that he had imposed in his first term and elevated the duty on aluminum imports to 25 per cent from 10 per cent. He announced a second round tariff hikes targeting Canada, Mexico and China that went into effect on March 4 but are on hold, with the exception of the tariff on Chinese goods. A reciprocal tariff system is slated to go into effect from April 2 that will impose the same rates of duty on America’s imports as its exports are subjected to by its trading nation partners.

Trump also slammed Canada on its defence spending. “Canada pays very little for National Security, relying on the United States for military protection. We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. Why??? This cannot continue.”

And he doubled down on his threats to turn Canada into the 51st state of the US. “The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State. This would make all tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear. Canadians’ taxes will be very substantially reduced, they will be more secure, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border problem, and the greatest and most powerful nation in the World will be bigger, better and stronger than ever — And Canada will be a big part of that. The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World — And your brilliant anthem, “O Canada,” will continue to play, but now representing a great and powerful state within the greatest nation that the world has ever seen!”

Ottawa: Former central banker Mark Carney, who is set to become Canada’s next Prime Minister, recently said he would rebuild his country’s relationship with India if he takes charge.

“What Canada will be looking to do is to diversify our trade relationship with like-minded countries,” Carney said last Tuesday in Calgary before being elected as the leader of the governing Liberal Party.

“And there are opportunities to rebuild the relationship with India. There needs to be a shared sense of values around that commercial relationship. If I’m prime minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that,” Carney said as Canada deals with US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threat.

India-Canada ties saw tensions after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September 2023 in the House of Commons said there were “credible allegations” of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia.

New Delhi, however, consistently denied the allegations, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying Canada has “presented us no evidence” in support of the serious allegations Ottawa chose to level against India and Indian diplomats.

After the controversy, both countries in a tit for tat move recalled their diplomats.

“The responsibility for the damage that this cavalier behaviour has caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone,” the MEA said in December last year after Trudeau acknowledged that he had only intelligence and no “hard evidentiary proof” when he alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in Nijjar’s killing.

Carney, 59, replaces Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains in his post until his successor is sworn in the coming days.

Carney, who navigated crises as the head of the Bank of Canada, won 85.9 per cent of the vote.

PTI

Toronto: Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada’s next prime minister after the governing Liberal Party elected him its leader Sunday as the country deals with US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threat, and a federal election looms.

Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days. Carney won in a landslide, winning 85.9 per cent of the vote.

“There is someone who is trying to weaken our economy,” Carney said.

“Donald Trump, as we know, has put unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell and how we make a living. He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses and we cannot let him succeed and we won’t.”

Carney said Canada will keep retaliatory tariffs in place until “the Americans show us respect.”

“We didn’t ask for this fight. But Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves,” Carney said. “The Americans, they should make no mistake, in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win.”

Carney navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada and when in 2013 he became the first noncitizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694. His appointment won bipartisan praise in the U.K. after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.

The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged.

Trump’s trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games. Some are canceling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can.

The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party’s chances in a parliamentary election expected within days or weeks, and Liberal showings have been improving steadily in opinion polls.

“The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country. Think about it. If they succeed, they would destroy our way of life,” Carney said. “In America health care is big business. In Canada it is a right.”

Carney said America is “a melting pot. Canada is mosaic,” he said. “America is not Canada. And Canada will never, ever will be a part of America in any way, shape or form.”

After decades of bilateral stability, the vote on Canada’s next leader now is expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with the United States.

“These are dark days, dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust,” Carney said. “We are getting over the shock but let us never forget the lessons. We have to look after ourselves and we have to look out for each other. We need to pull together in the tough days ahead.”

Trump has postponed 25% tariffs on many goods from Canada and Mexico for a month, amid widespread fears of a broader trade war. But he has threatened other tariffs on steel, aluminum, dairy and other products.

Carney picked up one endorsement after another from Cabinet ministers and members of Parliament since declaring his candidacy in January. He is a highly educated economist with Wall Street experience who has long been interested in entering politics and becoming prime minister, but he lacks political experience.

In 2020, he began serving as the United Nations’ special envoy for climate action and finance.

Carney is a former Goldman Sachs executive. He worked for 13 years in London, Tokyo, New York and Toronto, before being appointed deputy governor of the Bank of Canada in 2003.

The other top Liberal leadership candidate was former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who received just eight percent of the vote. Trudeau told Freeland in December that he no longer wanted her as finance minister, but that she could remain deputy prime minister and the point person for U.S.-Canada relations. Freeland resigned shortly after, releasing a scathing letter about the government that proved to be the last straw for Trudeau.

Carney is expected to trigger an election shortly. Either he will call one, or the opposition parties in Parliament could force one with a no-confidence vote later this month.

Trudeau urged Liberals supporters to get involved.

“This is a nation-defining moment. Democracy is not a given.

AP

Beijing: China Saturday announced retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian farm and food imports, after Canada imposed duties in October on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products.

The new duties become effective March 20, according to a statement by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. Additional 100% tariffs will be imposed on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes and peas, and additional 25% tariffs will apply to pork and aquatic products.

The tariffs add to global trade tensions already high, with rounds of tariff announcements by the United States, China, Canada and Mexico.

The duties come in retaliation for Ottawa imposing tariffs against Chinese imports in October, including a 100% surtax on all Chinese-made EVs and 25% on steel and aluminum imports.

“Despite China’s repeated opposition and dissuasion, Canada has taken unilateral restrictive measures on electric vehicles, steel, aluminum and other products imported from China without investigation, undermining China-Canada economic and trade relations,” read the statement by the customs authorities.

The decision to impose retaliatory duties comes after an “anti-discrimination probe, which found out that Canada’s restrictive measures against some Chinese products have disrupted normal trade order and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises,” it added.

Canada announced tariffs on Chinese goods last August following similar duties being imposed by the US and the European Union against Chinese-made EVs and other products. The Western governments say China’s subsidies give its industry an unfair advantage.

Ottawa: Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc has said that Canada will halt the second wave of tariffs on US goods until April 2.

“The United States has agreed to suspend tariffs on CUSMA (Canada-US-Mexico Agreement)-compliant exports from Canada until April 2,” LeBlanc said Thursday in his social media account shortly after US President Donald Trump announced the tariff delay.

“As a result, Canada will not proceed with the second wave of tariffs on 125 billion Canadian dollars of US products until April 2, while we continue to work for the removal of all tariffs.”

Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Canada’s retaliatory measures remain, even after Trump’s latest move to delay tariffs on some Canadian and Mexican goods until April 2, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to local media, more than half of Canadian imports aren’t covered and would likely still face the new tariffs because they’re not USMCA compliant.

“As long as the threat remains, the pressure stays on,” Champagne was quoted as saying in CTV News.

“The Prime Minister has been clear on that. The only way you make that work is to keep the pressure.”

On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order to delay tariffs on goods covered under the CUSMA.

The first phase of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, covering $30 billion worth of US goods, took effect Tuesday in response to Trump’s 25 per cent levies on most Canadian imports.

Ottawa had originally planned to impose further tariffs on US products, including electric vehicles, agricultural goods, electronics, steel, and trucks, by late March. However, following Trump’s decision to scale back tariffs, Canada has pushed this measure to April 2.

Trump announced on Thursday that he is postponing 25 per cent tariffs on many goods from Canada and Mexico for a month, easing concerns about a broader trade war.

However, a White House official confirmed that the suspension is not retroactive, meaning tariffs already paid on imports from Tuesday to Thursday will not be refunded.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that Ottawa will remain in a trade war with Washington “for the foreseeable future” despite exemptions for certain sectors.

In response to Trump’s decision, Canada is delaying its second phase of retaliatory tariffs against the US. The suspension of duties will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time (10:31 a.m. Indian Standard Time (IST)) Friday.

According to orders signed by Trump, imports from Mexico that comply with the 2020 USMCA trade agreement will be exempt from the 25 per cent tariffs for a month. Similarly, auto-related imports from Canada that meet USMCA requirements will also avoid the tariffs for the same period. However, Canadian potash imported by US farmers will be subject to a 10 per cent tariff, the same rate Trump plans to impose on Canadian energy products.

A White House official, speaking anonymously, said that about 62 per cent of imports from Canada are likely to face the new tariffs as they do not comply with USMCA. Additionally, half of Mexico’s non-compliant imports will also be taxed under Trump’s orders.

Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed executive actions that delay for nearly one month tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada that are covered by the USMCA free trade treaty, a significant walk back of the administration’s signature economic plan that has rattled markets, businesses and consumers.

The executive actions follow a discussion Trump held on Thursday with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and negotiations between Canadian and Trump administration officials.

“After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday, after a phone conversation with the Mexican President.

He said the tariffs would be delayed until April 2.

The USMCA is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, negotiated by Trump during his first term, that makes the three North American countries a free trade zone.

“I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl,” Trump added.

“Thank you to President Sheinbaum for your hard work and cooperation!”

Sheinbaum, in a post on X, thanked US President Donald Trump for a “respectful” discussion about the tariffs he imposed.

Sheinbaum said that “virtually all” of Mexico’s trade with the United States is included in the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

“Practically all the trade we have with the United States is within the Mexico, United States, Canada Agreement. There is a part that has to do with rules of origin, but everything is practically within the trade agreement,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference Thursday.

Muchas gracias al presidente Donald Trump. Tuvimos una excelente y respetuosa llamada en la que coincidimos en que nuestro trabajo y colaboración han dado resultados sin precedentes, en el marco de respeto a nuestras soberanías. Continuaremos trabajando juntos, particularmente en… pic.twitter.com/JzD9jkm8tz

— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) March 6, 2025

However, a White House official on a call with the press added some nuance to that argument: About 50 per cent of imports from Mexico and 36 per cent of imports from Canada are covered under the agreement, the official said, but many more items – such as avocados – are generally not covered because of the high cost of compliance. However, those items that technically are not in compliance with USMCA have in effect been treated at customs as if they were, or they weren’t subject to tariffs.

It’s complicated trade policy, and the White House official suggested those goods producers could register to comply with USMCA rules to avoid the 25 per cent tariff for a month.

But the official referred the press to the US Trade Representative for more details about which products will maintain the 25 per cent tariff and which won’t once those details become available.

Included in the USMCA-compliant goods are autos, which Trump announced on Wednesday would be subject to a one-month reprieve from the tariffs. The administration said the delay would give automakers time to move more production to the United States to avoid tariffs, which are now set to go into effect next month. But that is almost certain not to happen, because that would mark a significant undertaking, requiring massive hiring, investment and strategic planning.

Energy from Canada, however, is not included in the USMCA, the White House official said. So that lower 10 per cent tariff is expected to remain in place, boosting gas prices in the Northeast United States. But the Trump administration temporarily Thursday reduced the tariff on Canadian potash to 10 per cent (from the 25 per cent tariff imposed Tuesday) to give farmers a bit of a break.

Trump has frequently praised Sheinbaum, and Thursday she said she informed him that there was a dramatic reduction in the amount of fentanyl seized at the US border with Mexico in February from January, crediting increased border controls between the two countries. Sheinbaum also said on Thursday that, with the pause in effect, she will not announce previously planned retaliatory measures against the US tariffs.

However, Trump has sharply criticised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he accused of trying to capitalise politically on the tariff angst Canadians have felt. It was notable that Trump initially announced a reprieve for Mexico but not Canada, although he eventually granted one for Canada, too.

“Believe it or not, despite the terrible job he’s done for Canada, I think that Justin Trudeau is using the Tariff problem, which he has largely caused, in order to run again for Prime Minister,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

“So much fun to watch!”

Trudeau has been equally and publicly critical of Trump, and he said in a press conference on Thursday that he expects Canada and the US to be in a trade war for the foreseeable future.

And Trudeau said that all his country’s retaliatory measures would remain in place unless the United States completely rolls back its tariffs, not just temporarily.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford told CNN Thursday his province is implementing a 25 per cent tariff on electricity exports to 1.5 million Americans’ homes in Minnesota, Michigan and New York next week.

The back and forth on tariffs alone is causing confusion. Trump has routinely threatened or briefly put in place tariffs only to announce delays or pauses, leaving Corporate America unclear on how to invest and whether to hire.

Trump campaigned on steep tariffs on Day One. Instead, he signed several executive actions on his first day in office ordering his administration to investigate whether to pursue tariffs on a wide range of goods. In a signing ceremony, Trump announced that 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico would be coming February 1.

But those tariffs were delayed — first by a few days and then by a month after both countries sent delegations to negotiate on illegal border crossings and fentanyl.

Earlier Thursday, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC that more one-month tariff exemptions under USMCA are “likely”.

“It’s likely that it will cover all USMCA compliant goods and services, so that which is part of President Trump’s deal with Canada and Mexico are likely to get an exemption from these tariffs,” Lutnick said.

Trump’s latest announcement on Mexico tariffs came one day after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the President is granting a one-month exemption to three major automakers from the newly imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a trade agreement negotiated, signed, and ultimately enacted during Trump’s first term, aimed at replacing the former North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

On February 1, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada, with a 10 per cent tariff increase on Canadian energy products. On February 3, Trump announced a 30-day delay in implementing the tariffs on both countries and continued negotiations. According to this decision, the relevant tariff measures took effect March 4.

Canada has announced retaliatory measures, while Mexico has signaled its intent to implement tariffs and other economic countermeasures. Businesses are increasingly concerned about the rising costs due to these tariffs, which could drive up consumer prices and contribute to an economic slowdown.

The stock market has shown significant volatility in response to the new tariffs, with investor uncertainty mounting as fears of potential economic repercussions grow.

The escalating tensions and economic uncertainties might have prompted Trump to reassess his trade policies.

Trump has yet to make announcement on an overall pause on Canada tariffs. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, he accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of using the tariff problem to further his re-election bid.

Trudeau, meanwhile, said on Thursday that Canada will continue to be in a trade war with the United States for the foreseeable future.

Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday called American tariffs “very dumb” and said that US President Donald Trump is appeasing Russia while launching a trade war against Canada.

In a blunt news conference during his final days in office, Trudeau said that Canada would plaster retaliatory tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods in response to Trump’s 25% tariffs.

“Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend. At the same time, they are talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense,” a visibly angry Trudeau said.

Trump imposed tariffs against Washington’s three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial markets into a tailspin. Just after midnight, Trump put 25% taxes, or tariffs, on Mexican and Canadian imports, though he limited the levy to 10% on Canadian energy.

“What he wants to see is a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that will make it easier to annex us,” Trudeau said. “That is never going to happen. We will never be the 51st state.”

Trudeau addressed Trump directly by his first name.

“I want to speak directly to one specific American, Donald,” Trudeau said. “It’s not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal, but Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do.”

Later Tuesday, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the U.S. would likely meet Canada and Mexico “in the middle,” with an announcement coming as soon as Wednesday.

Lutnick told Fox Business News that the tariffs would not be paused, but that Trump would reach a compromise.

“I think he’s going to figure out, you do more, and I’ll meet you in the middle in some way,” Lutnick said.

In a post on Truth Social earlier Tuesday, Trump said: “Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the U.S., our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!”

Trump has threatened Canada’s sovereignty, provoking anger in the country. Canadian hockey fans have been booing the American national anthem at recent NHL and NBA games. Trudeau channelled the betrayal that many Canadians are feeling.

“Canadians are hurt. Canadians are angry. We are going to choose to not go on vacation in Florida,” Trudeau said. “We are going to choose to try and buy Canadian products … and yeah we’re probably going to keep booing the American anthem.”

The premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, said that he would issue a 25% export tax on electricity sold to the US and may later cut it off completely if the American tariffs persist. Ontario powered 1.5 million homes in the US in 2023 in Michigan, New York and Minnesota.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also told The Associated Press that he would stop the sale of nickel and rare minerals to the US.

Ontario and other provinces already began removing American liquor brands from government store shelves. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario sells nearly $1 billion Canadian dollars ($687 million) worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers every year.

AP

Bangkok: European and Asian shares were mostly lower Tuesday after a new round of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump took effect.

China hit back at Washington’s move to raise tariffs by 20% across the board with higher duties of up to 15% on US farm exports.

Germany’s DAX slipped 1.8% to 22,733.26 while in Paris the CAC 40 declined 1.1% to 8,108.71. Britain’s FTSE 100 lost 0.4% to 8,837.92.

The future for the S&P 500 rose 0.1% while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was unchanged.

In Asian trading, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.2% to 37,331.18, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.4% to 22,922.16. The Shanghai Composite index edged 0.2% higher to 3,324.21.

South Korea’s Kospi gave up 0.2% to 2,528.92. Taiwan’s Taiex shed 0.7%, while Bangkok’s SET lost 1.1%.

On Monday, the S&P 500 dropped 1.8% after Trump said there was “no room left” for negotiations that could lower the tariffs that took effect Tuesday for imports from Canada and Mexico. Trump had already delayed the tariffs once before to allow more time for talks.

The Dow dropped 1.5% and the Nasdaq composite slumped 2.6%.

The Chinese tariffs on American beef, corn, soy and other farm products announced Tuesday expanded the potential impact of Trump’s trade tactics, said Francis Lun, CEO of Geo Securities in Hong Kong.

“I don’t think China will buy any more US farm products. The orders will go to South America,” Lun said. “I think all in all, it’s a lose-lose situation. Nobody gains anything.”

Investors had hoped Trump would choose a less painful path for global trade. Monday’s loss shaved the S&P 500’s gain since Election Day down to just over 1% from a peak of more than 6%. That rally had been built largely on hopes for policies from Trump that would strengthen the US economy and businesses.

After the S&P 500 set a record last month following a parade of fatter-than-expected profit reports from big US companies, the market began diving following weaker-than-expected reports on the US economy, including a couple showing U.S. households are getting much more pessimistic about inflation because of the threat of tariffs.

The latest such report arrived Monday on US manufacturing. Overall activity is still growing, but not by quite as much as economists had forecast. Perhaps more discouragingly, manufacturers are seeing a contraction in new orders. Prices, meanwhile, rose amid discussions about who will pay for Trump’s tariffs.

The market’s recent slump has hit Nvidia and some other formerly high-flying areas of the market particularly hard. They fell even more Monday, with Nvidia down 8.8% and Elon Musk’s Tesla down 2.8%.

In other dealings early Tuesday, US benchmark crude oil lost 93 cents to $67.44 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude gave up $1.10 to $70.52 per barrel.

The US dollar slipped to 149.86 Japanese yen from 149.50 yen. The euro rose to $1.0519 from $1.

AP

Washington: Tariffs are in the news at the moment. Here’s what they are and what you need to know about them:

Tariffs are a tax on imports

Tariffs are typically charged as a percentage of the price a buyer pays a foreign seller. In the United States, tariffs are collected by Customs and Border Protection agents at 328 ports of entry across the country.

US tariff rates vary: They are generally 2.5 per cent on passenger cars, for instance, and 6 per cent on golf shoes.

Tariffs can be lower for countries with which the United States has trade agreements. Before the US began imposing 25 per cent tariffs on good from Canada and Mexico as of Tuesday, most goods moved between the United States and those countries tariff-free because of President Donald Trump’s US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

Mainstream economists are generally sceptical about tariffs, considering them an inefficient way for governments to raise revenue.

There’s much misinformation about who actually pays tariffs

Trump is a proponent of tariffs, insisting that they are paid for by foreign countries.

In fact, it is importers — American companies — that pay tariffs, and the money goes to the US Treasury. Those companies typically pass their higher costs on to their customers in the form of higher prices. That’s why economists say consumers usually end up footing the bill for tariffs.

Still, tariffs can hurt foreign countries by making their products pricier and harder to sell abroad.

Foreign companies might have to cut prices — and sacrifice profits — to offset the tariffs and try to maintain their market share in the United States.

Yang Zhou, an economist at Shanghai’s Fudan University, concluded in a study that Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods inflicted more than three times as much damage to the Chinese economy as they did to the US economy.

What has Trump said about tariffs?

Trump has said tariffs will create more factory jobs, shrink the federal deficit, lower food prices and allow the government to subsidize childcare.

“Tariffs are the greatest thing ever invented,’ Trump said at a rally in Flint, Michigan, during his presidential campaign.

During his first term, Trump imposed tariffs with a flourish — targeting imported solar panels, steel, aluminum and pretty much everything from China.

“Tariff Man,” he called himself.

Trump is moving ahead with higher tariffs in his second term.

The United States in recent years has gradually retreated from its post-World War II role of promoting global free trade and lower tariffs. That’s generally a response to the loss of US manufacturing jobs, widely attributed to unfettered tree trade and and China’s ascent as a manufacturing power.

Tariffs are intended mainly to protect domestic industries

By raising the price of imports, tariffs can protect home-grown manufacturers. They may also serve to punish foreign countries for unfair trade practices such as subsidising their exporters or dumping products at unfairly low prices.

Before the federal income tax was established in 1913, tariffs were a major revenue source for the government. From 1790 to 1860, tariffs accounted for 90 per cent of federal revenue, according to Douglas Irwin, a Dartmouth College economist who has studied the history of trade policy.

Tariffs fell out of favour as global trade grew after World War II. The government needed vastly bigger revenue streams to finance its operations.

In the fiscal year that ended September 30, the government collected around USD 80 billion in tariffs and fees, a trifle next to the USD 2.5 trillion that comes from individual income taxes and the USD 1.7 trillion from Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Still, Trump favours a budget policy that resembles what was in place in the 19th century.

Tariffs can also be used to pressure other countries on issues that may or may not be related to trade. In 2019, for example, Trump used the threat of tariffs as leverage to persuade Mexico to crack down on waves of Central American migrants crossing Mexican territory on their way to the United States.

Trump even sees tariffs as a way to prevent wars.

“I can do it with a phone call,” he said at an August rally in North Carolina.

If another country tries to start a war, he said he’d issue a threat:

“We’re going to charge you 100 per cent tariffs. And all of a sudden, the president or prime minister or dictator or whoever the hell is running the country says to me, Sir, we won’t go to war.’ ”

Economists generally consider tariffs self-defeating

Tariffs raise costs for companies and consumers that rely on imports. They’re also likely to provoke retaliation.

The European Union, for example, punched back against Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum by taxing US products, from bourbon to Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Likewise, China has responded to Trump’s trade war by slapping tariffs on American goods, including soybeans and pork in a calculated drive to hurt his supporters in farm country.

A study by economists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Zurich, Harvard and the World Bank concluded that Trump’s tariffs failed to restore jobs to the American heartland. The tariffs “neither raised nor lowered US employment’ where they were supposed to protect jobs, the study found.

Despite Trump’s 2018 taxes on imported steel, for example, the number of jobs at US steel plants barely budged: They remained right around 140,000. By comparison, Walmart alone employs 1.6 million people in the United States.

Worse, the retaliatory taxes imposed by China and other nations on US goods had “negative employment impacts”, especially for farmers, the study found.

These retaliatory tariffs were only partly offset by billions in government aid that Trump doled out to farmers. The Trump tariffs also damaged companies that relied on targeted imports.

If Trump’s trade war fizzled as policy, though, it succeeded as politics. The study found that support for Trump and Republican congressional candidates rose in areas most exposed to the import tariffs — the industrial Midwest and manufacturing-heavy Southern states like North Carolina and Tennessee.

AP

Washington: President Donald Trump announced Monday that 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada would take effect Tuesday, reigniting fears of a North American trade war amid rising inflation and slowing economic growth.

“Tomorrow — tariffs 25% on Canada and 25% on Mexico. And that’ll start,” Trump told reporters in the Roosevelt Room. “They’re going to have to have a tariff.”

Trump has said the tariffs are to force the two US neighbours to step up their fight against fentanyl trafficking and stop illegal immigration. But Trump has also indicated that he wants to eliminate the Americas’ trade imbalances as well and push more factories to relocate in the United States.

His comments quickly rattled the US stock market, with the S&P 500 index down 2% in Monday afternoon trading. It’s a sign of the political and economic risks that Trump feels compelled to take, given the possibility of higher inflation and the possible demise of a decades-long trade partnership with Mexico and Canada as the tariffs would go into effect at 12:01 am Tuesday.

Yet the Trump administration remains confident that tariffs are the best choice to boost US manufacturing and attract foreign investment. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Monday that the computer chipmaker TSMC had expanded its investment in the United States because of the possibility of separate 25% tariffs.

In February, Trump put a 10% tariff on imports from China. He reemphasized Monday that the rate would be doubling to 20% Tuesday.

Trump provided a one-month delay in February as both Mexico and Canada promised concessions. But Trump said Monday that there was “no room left for Mexico or for Canada” to avoid the steep new tariffs, which were also set to tax Canadian energy products such as oil and electricity at a lower 10% rate.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that “there is no justification” for Trump’s tariffs.

“Because of the tariffs imposed by the US, Americans will pay more for groceries, gas and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs,” he said. “Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term.”

Trudeau said Canada will retaliate by putting 25% tariffs on $155 billion in American goods over the course of 21 days, starting with taxes on $30 billion of goods after midnight Tuesday.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum went into Monday waiting to see what Trump would say.

“It’s a decision that depends on the United States government, on the United States president,” Sheinbaum said ahead of Trump’s statement. “So whatever his decision is, we will make our decisions and there is a plan, there is unity in Mexico.”

Both countries have tried to show action in response to Trump’s concerns. Mexico sent 10,000 National Guard troops to their shared border to crack down on drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Canada named a fentanyl czar, even though smuggling of the drug from Canada into the United States appears to be relatively modest.

As late as Sunday, it remained unclear what choice Trump would make on tariff rates. Lutnick told Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” that the decision was “fluid.”

“He’s sort of thinking about right now how exactly he wants to play it with Mexico and Canada,” Lutnick said. “And that is a fluid situation. There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we’re going to leave that for the president and his team to negotiate.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Mexico has also offered to place 20% taxes on all imports from China as part of talks with the United States.

Bessent told CBS News Sunday that China would “eat” the cost of the tariffs, instead of passing them along to the US businesses and consumers that import their products in the form of higher prices.

But companies ranging from Ford to Walmart have warned about the negative impact that tariffs could create for their businesses. Similarly, multiple analyses by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the Yale University Budget Lab suggest that an average family could face price increases of more than $1,000.

“It’s going to have a very disruptive effect on businesses, in terms of their supply chains as well as their ability to conduct their business operations effectively,” said Eswar Prasad, an economist at Cornell University. “There are going to be inflationary impacts that are going to be disruptive impacts.”

Democrats were quick to criticise the announced tariffs for making inflation worse and alienating allies.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said voters in last year’s election were primarily upset by inflation and “now Donald Trump is making it worse”.

Senator Amy Klobuchar predicted the cost of fertiliser will go up for farmers in her state.

“This is a crazy way to handle our allies, right? He’s literally reaching out to Russia at the same time that he’s putting a 25% tariff on Canadian goods,” she said.

Trump also plans to roll out what he calls “reciprocal” tariffs in April that would match the rate charged by other countries, including any subsidies and value added taxes charged by those countries.

The US president has already announced the removal of exemptions from his 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminum, in addition to tariffs on autos, computer chips, copper and pharmaceutical drugs.

AP

Dreaming of a fresh start in a picturesque town or a quiet countryside retreat? Some destinations around the world are offering financial incentives to attract new residents.

Whether it’s affordable housing in Italy, cash grants in Switzerland, or business opportunities in Mauritius, these places are making relocation more appealing than ever. If you’re looking for a change of scenery—plus some extra cash—here are some locations that will pay you to move in!

These places will pay you to relocate:

Candela, Italy

This southern Italian town provides financial incentives ranging from €800 (USD 870) for singles to €2,000 (USD 2,175) for families who commit to making Candela their permanent home. Applicants must secure a job and invest in housing. Conveniently located near Naples, Candela blends urban charm with a quieter lifestyle.

Sicily, Italy

Sicily offers homes for just €1, provided buyers commit to renovating the property within three years at an estimated cost of €15,000 (USD 17,800) and deposit a refundable €5,000 (USD 5,900). With its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and exceptional cuisine, Sicily offers an affordable way to experience Italian culture.

Albinen, Switzerland

This picturesque Swiss village provides approximately 20,000 Swiss francs (around USD 21,000 to USD 22,000) per adult and an additional 10,000 Swiss francs (about USD 10,000 to USD 11,000) per child to new residents under 45 who purchase a home worth at least 200,000 Swiss francs and commit to living there for at least ten years. With stunning alpine scenery, Albinen is ideal for those seeking a peaceful lifestyle.

Ponga, Spain

To combat population decline, Ponga offers €3,000 (USD 3,262) to couples who settle in the town for at least five years, plus an additional €3,000 per child. This scenic region is perfect for families looking for a welcoming, close-knit community.

Saskatchewan, Canada

The province’s Graduate Retention Program offers up to CAD 20,000 (approximately USD 14,400 to USD 15,000) in tax rebates to graduates from approved institutions who live and work in Saskatchewan. Graduates can claim this rebate over seven to ten years. Saskatchewan provides a balance of urban living and outdoor adventure, making it an attractive destination for young professionals.

Mauritius

Mauritius offers various financial incentives for startups, including grants of up to 1 million Mauritian Rupees (approximately USD 22,000) through initiatives like the Seed Capital Scheme. The island nation boasts a strong economy, excellent education, free healthcare, and a tropical climate, making it an appealing relocation option for entrepreneurs.

Antikythera, Greece

Antikythera, Greece, has considered a limited program to attract families with multiple children, offering a monthly stipend of €500 for three years, along with free accommodation. However, this initiative is not an open invitation and has faced delays in implementation

Calabria, Italy

The Calabria region offers up to USD 30,358 to those relocating to villages with fewer than 2,000 residents. However, applicants must start a business or fill an in-demand job within 90 days of acceptance. The program aims to revitalize the local economy while attracting new residents.

Also Read: These places pay you to move there! Switzerland, Italy, Spain are on the list

Disclaimer: The relocation programs mentioned in this article come with specific conditions and eligibility criteria that may vary over time. Before making any decisions, it is essential to thoroughly research the requirements, assess the long-term prospects of relocating, and consult with legal or financial professionals for guidance.

PNN

Washington: President Donald Trump says he plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, in addition to doubling the 10 per cent universal tariff charged on imports from China.

Posting on Truth Social Thursday, Trump said that illicit drugs such as fentanyl are being smuggled into the United States at “unacceptable levels” and that import taxes would force other countries to crackdown on the trafficking.

“We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled,” the Republican president wrote. “China will likewise be charged an additional 10 per cent Tariff on that date.”

The prospect of escalating tariffs has already thrown the global economy into turmoil — with consumers expressing fears about inflation worsening and the auto sector possibly suffering if America’s two largest trading partners in Canada and Mexico are slapped with taxes.

The potential for higher prices and slower growth could create political blowback for Trump, who promised voters in last year’s presidential election that he could quickly lower the inflation rate, which jumped during President Joe Biden’s term.

But Trump also campaigned on imposing broad tariffs and sweeping tariffs, which he plans to launch on April 2 by resetting tariffs to match the taxes that he determines are charged by other countries on American goods.

“The April Second Reciprocal Tariff date will remain in full force and effect,” Trump said as part of his Thursday social media post.

Trump indicated Wednesday that European countries would face a 25 per cent tariff. He also wants separate tariffs on autos, computer chips and pharmaceutical drugs that would be levied in addition to the reciprocal tariffs.

The president already announced that he’s removing the exemptions on his 2018 steel and aluminum tariffs, in addition to planning taxes on copper imports.

The prospect of a broader trade conflict should other nations follow through with their own retaliatory tariffs is already spooking US consumers, potentially undermining Trump’s promise to unleash stronger economic growth.

The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that its consumer confidence index had dropped 7 points to a reading of 98.3. It was the largest monthly decline since August 2021, when inflationary pressures began to reverberate across the United States as the economy recovered from the coronavirus pandemic. Average 12-month inflation expectations jumped from 5.2 per cent to 6 per cent in February, the Conference Board noted.

“There was a sharp increase in the mentions of trade and tariffs, back to a level unseen since 2019,” said Stephanie Guichard, a senior economist at the Conference Board. “Most notably, comments on the current administration and its policies dominated the responses.”

The S&P 500 stock index has also fallen over the past month, reversing some of the gains that followed Trump’s November presidential victory, which prompted investors to assume income tax cuts and less regulation would help increase growth.

AP

Toronto: A Delta Air Lines jet flipped on its roof while landing Monday at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, but all 80 people on board survived and those hurt had relatively minor injuries, the airport’s chief executive said.

Snow was being blown by winds gusting to 40 mph (65 kph) when the flight from Minneapolis carrying 76 passengers and four crew attempted to land on a dry runway at around 2:15 pm. Authorities said the cause of the crash remained under investigation.

Video posted to social media only showed the aftermath with the Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR overturned, the fuselage seemingly intact and firefighters dousing what was left of the fire as passengers climbed out and walked across the tarmac.

“We are very grateful there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries,” Deborah Flint, CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, told reporters.

Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken said 18 passengers were taken to the hospital. Earlier in the day, Ornge air ambulance said it was transporting one pediatric patient to Toronto’s SickKids hospital and two injured adults to other hospitals in the city.

Tower controllers were heard speaking with the crew of a medical helicopter that had just left Pearson and was returning to help with the crash.    The plane came to a rest at the intersection of Runways 23 and 15L, the controller said. That’s not far from the start of the runway.

“Just so you’re aware, there’s people outside walking around the aircraft there,” a tower controller said.

“Yeah, we’ve got it. The aircraft is upside down and burning,” the medical helicopter pilot responded.

According to the Meteorological Service of Canada, the airport was experiencing blowing snow and winds of 32 mph (51 kph) gusting to 40 mph (65 kph). The temperature was about 16.5 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 8.6 degrees Celsius).

“It’s very rare to see something like this,” said John Cox, CEO of aviation safety consulting firm Safety Operating Systems in St. Petersburg, Florida. “We’ve seen a couple of cases of takeoffs where airplanes have ended up inverted, but it’s pretty rare.”

The audio recording from the tower at Toronto Pearson International Airport shows the flight was cleared to land at about 2:10 pm local time. The tower warned the pilots of a possible air flow bump in the glide path as the plane came in to land.

“It sounds to me like a controller trying to be helpful, meaning the wind is going to give you a bumpy ride coming down, that you’re going to be up and down through the glide path,” Cox said.

Cox, who flew for US Air for 25 years and has worked on National Transportation Safety Board investigations, said the CRJ-900 aircraft is a proven aircraft that’s been in service for decades and does a good job of handling inclement weather.

“So it was windy. But the airplanes are designed and certified to handle that,” Cox said. “The pilots are trained and experienced to handle that.”

Among the questions that need to be answered, Cox said, was why the plane was missing a right wing.

“If one wing is missing, it’s going to have a tendency to roll over,” he said. “Those are going to be central questions as to what happened to the wing and the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. They will be found, if not today, tomorrow, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada will read them out and they will have a very good understanding of what actually occurred here.”

The last major crash at Pearson was on August 2, 2005, when an Airbus A340 landing from Paris skidded off the runway and burst into flames amid stormy weather. All 309 passengers and crew aboard Air France Flight 358 survived the crash.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the Transportation Safety Board of Canada would head up the investigation and provide any updates. The NTSB in the US said it is leading a team to assist in the Canadian investigation.

This is at least the fourth major aviation mishap in North America in the past month. A commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided near the nation’s capital on January 29, killing 67 people. A medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia on January 31, killing the six people on board and another person on the ground, and 10 were killed in a plane crash in Alaska.

Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford said on X he is “relieved there are no casualties after the incident at Toronto Pearson.” Toronto is the capital of Ontario. “Provincial officials are in contact with the airport and local authorities and will provide any help that’s needed,” Ford said.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement that “the hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he has been in touch with Delta about the crash.

Endeavor Air, based in Minneapolis, is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines and the world’s largest operator of CRJ-900 aircraft. The airline operates 130 regional jets on 700 daily flights to over 126 cities in the US, Canada and the Caribbean, according to the company’s website.

The CRJ-900, a popular regional jet, was developed by Canadian aerospace company Bombardier. It’s in the same family of aircraft as the CRJ-700, the type of plane involved in the midair collision near Reagan National Airport on January 29.

AP

Vancouver: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday said President Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state is “a real thing” and is linked to the country’s rich natural resources, local media reported.

Trudeau’s comments to business and labour leaders in a closed-door session were mistakenly carried by a loudspeaker, Canada’s public broadcaster CBC reported.

“Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on…,” Trudeau said of making Canada a U.S. state before the microphone cut out, according to CBC.

“They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those,” Trudeau reportedly said.

Trudeau’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a post on social platform X, Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labor, confirmed what Trudeau said.

“Yes, I can confirm that Trudeau said he assesses that what Trump wants is not action on fentanyl or immigration or even the trade deficit, what he wants is to either dominate Canada or take it outright,” McGowan wrote.

Trump has repeatedly suggested Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st U.S. state.

In public comments Friday, Trudeau said Canada must think “tactically and strategically” on how to deal with Trump’s threats to impose hefty tariffs on all Canadian imports.

Speaking in Toronto at the opening of a one-day summit on the Canada-U.S. economic relationship, Trudeau said the country must work with the U.S. to avoid tariffs, adding that Canada needs to eliminate internal trade barriers and expand its trade with other nations.

“This is a moment,” said Trudeau. “This is a time in our country’s history that really matters.”

Trump on Monday agreed to a 30-day pause on threats to impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, with another 10 per cent tariff on Canadian oil, natural gas and electricity.

Trump had threatened the tariffs to ensure greater cooperation from the countries to stop illegal immigration and prevent fentanyl smuggling, but he has also pledged to use tariffs to boost domestic manufacturing and raise revenues for the federal government.

Trudeau said Canada could use the 30-day extension to show U.S. officials the country’s increased spending on border security. Canada has announced a 1.3 billion Canadian dollar ( USD 900 million) border security plan that includes drones, helicopters, more border guards and the creation of a joint task force.

Trudeau also has promised to appoint a new fentanyl czar, who will serve as the primary liaison between the Canadian and U.S. governments, even though less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl and illegal immigrant crossings into the U.S. come from Canada.

“We need to be very deliberate about how we continue to engage closely with the United States to make the case that Canada is responsible for a tiny part of the North American fentanyl problem, but that we are also bitterly touched by this tragedy,” Trudeau said.

He added that Canada needs to be prepared if Trump decides to go ahead with the tariffs after 30 days.

“We need to be ready to respond robustly,” he said. “We also have to be ready to support Canadians through the responses we’re giving and through a difficult time of tariffs.”

Canada had planned to retaliate to the U.S. action with 25 per cent tariffs on 155 billion Canadian dollars (USD 109 billion) worth of American goods.

Trudeau said it’s also time to have “genuine free trade in Canada,” while strengthening its trade relationships with other countries.

Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said she is happy the meeting is focused on internal trade, trade diversification and responding to U.S. tariffs.

“We can’t just tinker around the edges with incremental steps right now,” she said. “We’ve got to be bold so that businesses and communities can pivot to be more resilient and less reliant on what happens in the U.S.

AP

Beijing: China countered President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese products with tariffs of its own on multiple US imports Tuesday as well as announcing an antitrust investigation into Google and other trade measures.

US tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico also were to go into effect Tuesday, though Trump agreed to a 30-day pause on his threats against Mexico and Canada as they acted to appease his concerns about border security and drug trafficking. Trump planned to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the next few days.

This isn’t the first round of tit-for-tat actions between the two countries. China and the US had engaged in a trade war in 2018 when Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods and China responded in kind.

This time, analysts said, China is much better prepared to counter.

“They have a much more developed export control regime. We depend on them for a lot of critical minerals: gallium, germanium, graphite, and a host of others. So … they could put some significant harm on our economy,” said Philip Luck, a former State Department official and director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Monday at a forum.

The slew of measures announced Tuesday cut across different sectors of the economy, from energy to individual US companies.

Counter tariffs

China said it would implement a 15 per cent tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas products as well as a 10 per cent tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars imported from the US. The tariffs would take effect next Monday.

“The US’s unilateral tariff increase seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organisation,” the State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems but also damages normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US.”

China is the world’s largest importer of liquefied natural gas, with its top suppliers being Australia, Qatar and Malaysia. The US, which is the biggest exporter of LNG globally, does not significantly export LNG to China.

In 2023, the US exported 173,247 million cubic feet of LNG to China, representing about 2.3 per cent of total natural gas export volumes, according to data released by the US Energy Information Administration.

Further export controls on critical minerals

In addition to the tariffs, China announced export controls on several elements critical to the production of modern high-tech products. They include tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium, many of which are designated as critical minerals by the US Geological Survey, meaning they are essential to US economic or national security that have supply chains vulnerable to disruption.

The export controls are in addition to ones China placed in December on key elements such as gallium used in manufacturing.

US companies impacted

In addition, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said Tuesday it is investigating Google on suspicion of violating antitrust laws. The announcement did not mention the tariffs but came just minutes after Trump’s 10 per cent tariffs on China were to take effect.

It is unclear how the probe will affect Google’s operations. Google has a limited presence in China, and its search engine is blocked in the country like most other Western platforms. Google exited the Chinese market in 2010 after refusing to comply with censorship requests from the Chinese government and following a series of cyberattacks on the company.

Google did not immediately comment.

The Commerce Ministry also placed two American companies on an unreliable entities list: PVH Group, which owns Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and Illumina, which is a biotechnology company with offices in China. The listing bars them from engaging in China-related import or export activities and from making new investments in the country.

Beijing began investigating PVH Group in September last year over “improper Xinjiang-related behaviour” after the company allegedly boycotted the use of Xinjiang cotton.

The response from China appears calculated and measured, said Stephen Dover, chief market strategist and head of the Franklin Templeton Institute. However, the world is braced for further impact.

“A risk is that this is the beginning of a tit-for-tat trade war, which could result in lower GDP growth everywhere, higher US inflation, a stronger dollar and upside pressure on US interest rates,” Dover said.

AP

Washington: In separate negotiations, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have agreed with US President Donald Trump to pause planned tariffs for at least a month. Trump’s tariffs against China are still slated to go into effect Tuesday.

Staffers of the US Agency for International Development were instructed to stay out of the agency’s Washington headquarters after billionaire Elon Musk announced President Trump had agreed with him to shut the agency. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been given broad latitude to investigate the federal government.

Here’s the latest:

Coalition of unions suing to block DOGE from accessing Treasury payment system

A coalition of unions is suing to block billionaire Elon Musk’s DOGE cost-cutting operation from accessing the highly sensitive Treasury payment system that handles Social Security, Medicaid and other government operations.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington contends that Musk’s staffers are using the system in violation of several privacy laws and other statutes that govern who can access the network.

“Granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous, and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified period of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies, and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords” the lawsuit alleges, seeking a restraining order keeping them out of the system.

At Capitol, Republicans face questions about Trump & Musk

The No. 2 Senate Republican is fine with cutting USAID. But others are not so sure.

“I think it’s appropriate for the president and the administration want to hold them accountable and make sure taxpayer money is used wisely,” said Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the GOP whip.

But another Republican exiting the weekly leadership meeting wanted more information about Musk’s ability to simply move into government agencies and undo funding that was already approved by Congress.

“What’s happened in the last 48 hours? I’m still trying to figure out what’s fact and fiction,” said Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma.

Lankford said while Congress does approve federal funding, the Trump administration is well within its rights to “pause” various programs. He was critical of USAID and said it had been a “mess” for some time.

Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado to act as staging area for immigration enforcement

US Rep. Jason Crow toured the base in Aurora, Colorado, Monday where officials told him that the facility will be used as a base of operations for federal immigration enforcement agencies but not as a detention centre for immigrants in the US illegally.

“I showed up today, started poking around like I like to do, and did discover that indeed the facility is being used for Homeland Security operations, for ICE operations,” said Crow, a Democrat, as he stood in front of the base and its sweep of dry, windblown grass.

Last week, Department of Defense officials said the base would be used to process immigrants, prompting concern from elected leaders. Crow’s visit to the base Monday didn’t turn up any signs that migrants would be housed there, such as cots, he said.

During the presidential campaign, Trump claimed that Aurora was overrun by a criminal gang from Venezuela and used the rhetoric to drive home his plan for mass deportation. Aurora officials said Trump’s statements were overblown.

Republican lawmaker joins Democrats in calling out foreign aid freeze

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy became the first among his party to publicly call out the impact Trump’s foreign aid freeze is having on programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR.

In a social media post, Cassidy, a physician-turned-politician, said that he’s being told a waiver issued by the administration last week to ensure that humanitarian aid is not impacted is still stalling the program on the ground.

“PEPFAR is the epitome of soft power. It is a Republican initiative, it is pro-life, pro-America and the most popular U.S. program in Africa,” Cassidy said on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “There’s even a waiver acknowledging this, yet I’m told that drugs are still being held at clinics in Africa.

AP

Ottawa: Canadian hockey fans expressed their displeasure with recent US trade policies by booing the American national anthem during a recent Ottawa Senators game.

The incident took place at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, where singer Mandia performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a crowd of nearly 20,000 spectators. As she sang, many attendees voiced their disapproval by booing throughout the anthem.

The US anthem gets booed at the Raptors game. Never seen this before. pic.twitter.com/HDipiMs9fW

— William Lou (@william_lou) February 2, 2025

This act of protest was in response to President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of significant tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The US administration announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. President Trump justified the tariffs by citing concerns over illegal immigration and the ongoing fentanyl crisis, stating that the tariffs would remain until these issues are addressed.

In retaliation, Canada imposed a 25% tariff on various US products worth $20 billion, with further tariffs on additional goods expected. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also announced plans for retaliatory tariffs, though specific details have yet to be disclosed. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Sheinbaum have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations in light of these developments.

The booing of the US national anthem at the hockey game reflects the broader public sentiment in Canada, where citizens are expressing their dissatisfaction with the US tariffs. As the trade tensions escalate, both countries are preparing for the economic impacts of the tariffs and the potential for a prolonged trade dispute.

PNN

Palm Beach: President Donald Trump Saturday signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, drawing swift retaliation from the country’s North American neighbours in an emerging trade war.

The Republican president posted on social media that the tariffs were necessary “to protect Americans,” pressing the three nations to do more to curb the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl and for Canada and Mexico to reduce illegal immigration into the US. The action fulfilled one of Trump’s commitments to voters but threw the global economy and Trump’s own political mandate to lower prices into turmoil.

The tariffs, if sustained, could cause inflation to significantly worsen, possibly eroding voters’ trust that Trump could as promised lower the prices of groceries, gasoline, housing, autos and other goods.

Trump declared an economic emergency in order to place duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada. But energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a 10% rate.

The action provoked an economic standoff with America’s two largest trading partners in Mexico and Canada, upending a decades-old trade relationship with the possibility of harsh reprisals by those two nations.

Mexico’s president immediately ordered retaliatory tariffs and Canada’s prime minister said the country would put matching 25% tariffs on up to $155 billion in US imports. China did not immediately respond to Trump’s action.

Trump’s order includes a mechanism to escalate the rates charged by the US against retaliation by the other countries, raising the specter of an even more severe economic disruption.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday said that Canadian duties on $30 billion in trade in American alcohol and fruit will take effect Tuesday, when the US tariffs go into effect. He opened his address to Canadians with a message aimed at American consumers.

“It will have real consequences for you, the American people,” he said, saying it would result in higher prices on groceries and other goods.

Trudeau channelled the views of many Canadians who were feeling betrayed by their neighbour and longtime ally, reminding Americans that Canadian troops fought alongside them in Afghanistan and helped them respond to myriad crises from wildfires in California to Hurricane Katrina.

“The actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together,” Trudeau said, warning in French that it could bring about “dark times” for many people. He encouraged Canadians to “choose Canadian products and services rather than American ones.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had instructed her economy secretary to implement a response that includes retaliatory tariffs and other measures in defense of Mexico’s interests.

“We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory,” Sheinbaum wrote in a post on X.

“If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population.”

Meanwhile, the Premier of Canadian province of British Columbia, David Eby, called on residents to stop buying liquor from U.S. “red” states and said it was removing American alcohol brands from government store shelves as a response to the tariffs.

In a televised message, Eby deemed the Trump’s administration decision as “a declaration of economic war against a trusted ally and friend” and that he will stand up for his citizens and all Canadians in general.

“Effective today, I have directed BC liquor sales to immediately stop buying American liquor from red states,” he said. “Liquor store employees will be removing the most popular of these brands from government store shelves.”

The tariffs will go into effect on Tuesday, setting a showdown in North America that could potentially sabotage economic growth. A new analysis by the Budget Lab at Yale laid out the possible damage to the US economy, saying the average U.S. household would lose the equivalent of $1,170 in income from the taxes. Economic growth would slow and inflation would worsen — and the situation could be even worse if the countries retaliate.

A senior US administration official, insisting on anonymity to brief reporters, said the lower rate on energy reflected a desire to minimise any disruptive increases on the price of gasoline or utilities.

That’s a sign White House officials understand the gamble they’re taking on inflation. Price spikes under former President Joe Biden led to voter frustration that helped to return Trump to the White House last year.

The order signed by Trump contained no mechanism for granting exceptions, the official said, a possible blow to homebuilders who rely on Canadian lumber as well as farmers, automakers and other industries.

The Trump administration put the tariffs in place to force the three countries to stop the spread and manufacturing of fentanyl, in addition to pressuring Canada and Mexico to limit any illegal immigration into the United States.

The official did not provide specific benchmarks that could be met to lift the new tariffs, saying only that the best measure would be fewer Americans dying from fentanyl addiction.

The order would also allow for tariffs on Canadian imports of less than $800. Imports below that sum are currently able to cross into the United States without customs and duties.

“It doesn’t make much economic sense,’ said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former U.S. trade official.

“Historically, most of our tariffs on raw materials have been low because we want to get cheaper materials so our manufacturers will be competitive … Now, what’s he talking about? He’s talking about tariffs on raw materials. I don’t get the economics of it.’

The Republican president is making a major political bet that his actions will not significantly worsen inflation, cause financial aftershocks that could destabilize the worldwide economy or provoke a voter backlash. AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate in last year’s election, found that the U.S. was split on support for tariffs.

With the tariffs, Trump is honouring promises that are at the core of his economic and national security philosophy. But the announcement showed his seriousness around the issue as some Trump allies had played down the threat of higher import taxes as mere negotiating tactics.

The president is preparing more import taxes in a sign that tariffs will be an ongoing part of his second term. On Friday, he mentioned imported computer chips, steel, oil and natural gas, as well as against copper, pharmaceutical drugs and imports from the European Union — moves that could essentially pit the US against much of the global economy.

It is unclear how the tariffs could affect the business investments that Trump said would happen because of his plans to cut corporate tax rates and remove regulations. Tariffs tend to raise prices for consumers and businesses by making it more expensive to bring in foreign goods.

Many voters turned to Trump in the November election on the belief that he could better handle the inflation that spiked under Biden. But inflation expectations are creeping upward in the University of Michigan’s index of consumer sentiment as respondents expect prices to rise by 3.3%. That would be higher than the actual 2.9% annual inflation rate in December’s consumer price index.

Trudeau said Canada is addressing Trump’s calls on border security by implementing a CDN$1.3 billion (US$900 million) border plan that includes helicopters, new canine teams and imaging tools.

Trump still has to get a budget, tax cuts and an increase to the government’s legal borrowing authority through Congress. The outcome of his tariff plans could strengthen his hand or weaken it.

Democrats were quick to say that any inflation going forward was the result of Trump, who is about to start his third week back as president.

“You’re worried about grocery prices. Don’s raising prices with his tariffs,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York posted on X. “You’re worried about tomato prices. Wait till Trump’s Mexico tariffs raise your tomato prices. … You’re worried about car prices. Wait till Trump’s Canada tariffs raise your car prices,” he wrote in a series of posts.

AP