trump imposes tariffs

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canada as Carney vows to consider ‘All Options’ in response

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada, retaliating against what he called “unequal treatment” of US cars, dairy, and alcohol. Everyday consumer items like wine and hockey sticks, as well as industrial goods such as cement, are on the target list, though several key exports including energy, potash, critical minerals, and fish will be spared.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had spoken to Trump and both leaders agreed to “intensify” trade talks in a bid to calm growing tensions between the North American neighbours. However, Carney warned that “all options” were on the table in terms of how Canada could respond to the fresh tariff threat. Since the tariff war broke out more than 18 months ago, Carney said Canadians have “stood together” by buying home-produced goods and agreeing new trade routes with other countries. “[The] country is stronger, stronger because we are united, and we will remain united,” he told reporters.

Tensions between the major trading partners have been simmering since Trump returned to office in January last year and unleashed a wide-ranging global programme of tariffs. Asked about the latest tariffs, which the White House says will take effect in 30 days, Trump said Canada had been “very, very tough on us over the years” and “no other presidents done anything about it.” He added: “I love Canada, I love the people of Canada, many friends that live in Canada. Without us, there’s no way they can survive.”

The latest move comes after the US Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that many of the tariffs imposed globally under emergency powers were illegally enacted. Trump has since sought other legal avenues to push through his flagship trade policy. Trump has said the levies will boost American manufacturing and jobs, but some economists have warned that higher charges on imported goods risk pushing up prices for consumers.

This new round of duties on Canadian goods has also fuelled speculation about a potential wider tariff announcement by the US on countries across the world. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Tuesday that he expected to “see some action soon” when asked about the possibility of forthcoming levies. Canada, which is one of the US’s closest trading partners, was one of the few countries to retaliate last year against Trump’s tariffs, placing a 25% levy of its own on about C$30 billion worth of US goods. Carney later dropped some of them.

As the trade war escalates, the implications for both economies remain significant. Canada’s reliance on US markets for exports and the interconnected nature of North American supply chains mean that any prolonged tariff dispute could have far-reaching consequences. Carney’s warning that “all options” are on the table suggests that Canada is prepared to respond forcefully if necessary, potentially escalating the conflict further. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can de-escalate the tensions or whether the trade war will intensify, impacting businesses and consumers on both sides of the border. The international community will be watching closely as two of the world’s largest trading partners navigate this dangerous standoff.

Similar Posts

  • |

    NYC homeowners sue Mamdani over new pied-à-terre tax rollout

    A group of New York City homeowners has taken legal action against Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city’s finance authorities over the rollout of a new pied-à-terre tax, arguing that the administration wrongly identified some primary residences as potential second homes. The lawsuit was filed on Friday by homeowners Simon Hedley, Rachel O’Brien and Carmine Morano. The plaintiffs are not challenging the legality of the tax itself. Instead, their case focuses on how city officials identified properties and made information about potentially affected homeowners publicly available. The dispute follows the publication of a city property tax roll containing the names and addresses of more than 900,000 property owners. Although most of those properties are not subject to the new surcharge, nearly 17,000 homeowners received notices warning that their properties could potentially fall under the tax. The homeowners allege that the city’s process has incorrectly flagged primary residences and unnecessarily exposed private information. O’Brien said her family’s permanent home was identified as a possible second residence despite records indicating that the property was their primary residence. She described the situation as unreasonable and questioned why homeowners were publicly listed when their properties might not ultimately be subject to the tax. The plaintiffs have asked the court to declare the notices and the publicly released property information unlawful. They are also seeking restrictions on public access to the list. In addition, the homeowners want the city to suspend response requirements and halt enforcement measures while the legal proceedings are underway. A spokesperson for Mayor Mamdani said the administration was committed to ensuring that the tax process remained clear and accessible. The spokesperson added that the city’s Law Department was prepared to defend the administration against the lawsuit. The pied-à-terre tax targets qualifying non-primary residences valued at more than $5 million, along with certain cooperative apartments valued at $1 million or above. The surcharge was included in Mamdani’s fiscal 2027 budget as part of efforts to address New York City’s budget shortfall. The rollout has triggered significant criticism from affected homeowners. In response, Mamdani extended the deadline for property owners to demonstrate that their homes are their primary residences by four weeks. The new deadline is now September 18, giving homeowners additional time to challenge their classification and provide documentation to city authorities.

  • | | | |

    Iran FM accuses West of ‘shameful hypocrisy’

    Iran FM accuses West of ‘shameful hypocrisy’Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sharply criticised France and other Western countries over their stance on human rights and Iran’s treatment of protesters. Araghchi accused Western governments of adopting double standards by condemning Tehran over its response to domestic unrest while, in his view, failing to take meaningful action over Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the wider Middle East. In a statement on X, the Iranian foreign minister said countries such as France should stop giving lectures to others on human rights and international law. He described what he called Western hypocrisy as both “clear and shameful,” arguing that their policies had undermined their claims of moral authority. Araghchi also criticised Western support for Israel, saying that backing Israel during the Gaza conflict and what he described as aggression against Iran had damaged the credibility of Western governments on human rights issues. His comments came after the European Union and 20 other countries issued a joint statement expressing concern over the deaths of protesters in Iran. The countries called on the Iranian authorities to take meaningful measures to protect human rights. They also urged Tehran to end the use of the death penalty and release people who had allegedly been detained arbitrarily. Araghchi rejected the criticism and questioned the consistency of Western governments’ positions on human rights. The dispute highlights growing tensions between Iran and Western nations over the treatment of protesters, the use of capital punishment and the broader conflict in the Middle East. Iran has repeatedly accused Western governments of interfering in its internal affairs and applying selective standards to international human rights issues. Western governments, meanwhile, have continued to raise concerns about the treatment of protesters and detainees in Iran.

  • |

    Iran inflation surges to 66%

    Iran’s annual inflation rate has climbed to 66%, highlighting the growing pressure on household budgets as the prices of essential goods continue to rise sharply across the country. According to Iranian media reports, food and beverage prices recorded the most significant increase, rising by 128.1% compared with the same period last year. The steep increase has made everyday necessities considerably more expensive and placed additional strain on consumers, particularly low- and middle-income families. Officials and economic observers have increasingly raised concerns over the rapid rise in the cost of basic commodities. Reports indicate that the prices of at least eight essential items have more than doubled over the past 12 months. The sharp increase has reduced consumers’ purchasing power and made it increasingly difficult for many households to maintain their usual standard of living. The latest figures also point to continued price pressure on a monthly basis. Iran recorded a monthly inflation rate of 3.1% in July, according to the Iranian news agency. Although the monthly increase appears smaller than the annual rise, continued month-on-month price growth can further intensify inflationary pressures if the trend persists. The surge in food prices is particularly significant because food represents a major portion of household spending. Rising costs for basic groceries can quickly affect family budgets, leaving consumers with less money for other necessities such as housing, transportation, healthcare and education. Iran has faced persistent economic challenges in recent years, including currency pressures, high living costs and restrictions affecting trade and economic activity. The latest inflation figures add to concerns about the country’s economic outlook and the financial difficulties facing ordinary citizens. With food and other essential commodities recording exceptionally high annual increases, Iranian households are likely to remain under significant financial pressure unless inflation begins to slow substantially in the coming months.

  • |

    30 children geared to have been conceived using wrong IVF donors

    At least 30 children, most of them believed to be British, may have been conceived through IVF treatment in northern Cyprus using sperm or egg donors different from those selected by their parents. The allegations have emerged from an investigation into fertility clinics in the region, raising serious concerns about the treatment of international patients and the regulation of fertility services. The parents involved say they carefully chose anonymous donors before undergoing treatment. Their decisions were based on detailed information provided by clinics, including the donors’ medical backgrounds, physical appearance, education, personalities, interests and hobbies. However, after their children were born, some parents began to question whether the donors they had selected were actually used during their IVF procedures. The latest investigation has identified at least 30 cases in which parents believe the wrong sperm or egg donors may have been used. This is a significant increase from the seven cases . Around half of the children were reportedly conceived following treatment at Dogus IVF Centre, a fertility clinic in northern Cyprus. Several individuals involved in the treatment of these patients have come under scrutiny, including doctors Firdevs Uguz Tip and Sevket Alpturk, as well as patient coordinator Julie Hodson. One mother, identified as Rachel, said she recently discovered that the sperm donor used during her treatment may not have been the donor she had chosen. She described the situation as extremely shocking and unacceptable. The parents have raised concerns that staff members at the clinic may have provided misleading information about the donors. Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip has denied any wrongdoing. The investigation has also uncovered information about the relationship between Dogus IVF Centre and Cryos International, one of the world’s largest sperm banks. Cryos placed Dogus on its blacklist in 2016, adding another concern surrounding the clinic’s practices. Northern Cyprus has become a popular destination for British and other international patients seeking fertility treatment. The region offers relatively low treatment costs, reportedly high success rates and access to a wide selection of sperm and egg donors. However, its regulatory system is significantly different from that of European Union countries. Northern Cyprus is internationally recognised only by Turkey, and EU laws do not apply there. Fertility clinics in the territory have been described as operating under relatively loose regulation, raising questions about oversight and accountability. According to previous reports on the emerging allegations in March, when seven parents came forward with concerns that they may have been misled about the donors used in their treatments. Following those reports, the Ministry of Health in northern Cyprus said it had opened an official investigation. However, the ministry has reportedly failed to provide further information. Many parents said clinics had promised them donors who had undergone health screening and were from Western European backgrounds. Their suspicions reportedly grew after their children were born. DNA testing has provided further evidence that has intensified these concerns. Eleven of the 30 children have undergone commercial DNA tests, with results indicating genetic ancestry connected to Turkey or nearby regions. According to the investigation, these results may suggest that the donors selected by the parents were not the individuals whose genetic material was ultimately used. The allegations have caused distress among affected families, many of whom travelled abroad believing they were receiving carefully selected fertility treatment. The growing number of cases is now raising serious questions about donor identification, patient information, clinic accountability and the regulation of fertility services in northern Cyprus.

  • |

    US expands probe into cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled lettuce

    US health authorities have expanded their investigation into a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis after new infections were identified in four additional states. The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms. Officials from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are continuing efforts to determine the full extent of the outbreak and trace all affected products. According to the FDA, confirmed outbreak-related cases have now been reported in nine states including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Health officials said nearly 2,000 people have become infected with the cyclospora parasite after being exposed to food served at Taco Bell restaurants. So far, at least 98 people have required hospital treatment, although no deaths have been reported. The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify additional cases that may be connected to the contaminated lettuce. Oklahoma’s health department said it is cooperating with federal officials to determine whether more illnesses reported in the state are linked to the outbreak. Cyclosporiasis cases have been recorded in at least 41 states across the country this year. However, investigators say not every infection is connected to the current outbreak. Health officials are still examining which cases are directly linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell locations. Several states have already completed preliminary reviews and found no evidence connecting their reported cases to the nationwide outbreak. Health departments in Nebraska, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Maryland said investigations have not identified a link between local infections and the recalled lettuce. Officials stressed that cyclospora infections can result from exposure to a variety of contaminated fresh produce, making each case important to investigate separately. In New Hampshire, health authorities confirmed nine infections associated with recalled Taylor Farms lettuce that had been served in the cafeteria at Cheshire Medical Center. Officials are continuing to investigate whether additional illnesses reported in the area are related to the same source. Oregon health officials also reported two infections believed to be connected to the ongoing outbreak. Both individuals had recently traveled to states included in the nationwide recall and were believed to have consumed pre-shredded lettuce associated with the investigation. North Carolina has also seen an increase in cyclosporiasis cases this year, but state health officials said the available evidence does not suggest those infections are related to the Taco Bell outbreak. Instead, investigators found that patients had commonly consumed fresh herbs such as parsley and cilantro along with lettuce, indicating different sources of exposure may be responsible. Michigan remains the state reporting the highest number of suspected infections. State officials said more than 8,000 probable cases of the intestinal illness have now been identified, with hundreds of additional cases reported within a single day. Investigators continue to monitor the situation closely as new reports are received. The outbreak prompted Taylor Farms to announce a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17. The recall covers products sold in grocery stores, supplied to restaurants and distributed to food service businesses across the United States. Federal health officials continue to advise consumers, restaurants and retailers not to use or serve any products included in the recall until the investigation is complete. An industry source familiar with the matter said Taylor Farms has temporarily suspended operations at the processing facility in central Mexico that US health authorities have linked to the outbreak. Officials hope the closure, combined with the product recall and continued public health monitoring, will help prevent additional infections while investigators work to identify the exact source of the contamination.

  • |

    Houston Police shoot gunman after random road atta…

    HOUSTON: Police in Houston shot and wounded an armed man after he allegedly opened fire at passing vehicles, injuring three people, including a mother and her daughter, US media reported. The incident unfolded on Saturday, with police receiving a report of the shooting at around 11am. Officers rushed to the scene after reports that an armed individual was firing at vehicles travelling along the road. According to police, officers ordered the man to drop his weapon when they arrived. The suspect allegedly failed to comply, prompting officers to open fire. Police said the man was struck by multiple rounds and was taken to hospital for treatment. His current condition and identity have not been released. No police officers were reported injured during the confrontation. Witnesses described a frightening scene in which the gunman stood in the middle section of the roadway and appeared to fire indiscriminately at vehicles passing by. One witness told local media that the shooter seemed unconcerned about which vehicles he was targeting and that some of the cars had children inside. Police said a mother and her daughter were among those wounded after they were shot while travelling in one vehicle. A third person in another vehicle was also injured. All three victims were transported to hospital. Authorities have not immediately released details about their conditions. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are working to establish what led to the attack and whether the suspect knew any of the victims. The incident has once again raised concerns about random gun violence in public places, particularly when busy roads and passing motorists become targets. Police have urged anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information to cooperate with investigators as the inquiry continues. Authorities are expected to review witness accounts, surveillance footage and other evidence gathered from the scene as they work to reconstruct the sequence of events. Officials have not yet announced whether the suspect will face charges, with the investigation still underway.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *