U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course on Tuesday, scaling back a planned 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum just hours after announcing the sharp hike, following a retaliatory electricity surcharge threat from Ontario.
The abrupt reversal came after Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity supplied to over 1 million U.S. homes unless Trump dropped all tariff threats against Canadian exports.
Ford agreed to suspend the surcharge and meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Thursday. The White House then confirmed that only the originally planned 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum would take effect on March 12.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai framed the move as a strategic victory, stating that Trump leveraged U.S. economic power to protect domestic interests.
The S&P 500 index briefly dropped 10% from its February 19 high, before recovering after Ford’s policy shift and Ukraine’s acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire.
Businesses and investors remain on edge as Trump hints at further tariff increases, particularly targeting Canada’s auto exports from April 2.
U.S. industries warn of inflation risks, as aluminum prices soared to record highs above $990 per metric ton.
Consumer confidence has weakened, with a New York Fed survey showing growing concerns over inflation and job security.
Trump’s latest tariff escalation comes as Canada transitions power from Justin Trudeau to incoming Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Canadian government has yet to formally respond to Trump’s trade maneuvers.
Meanwhile, Alberta officials are exploring options to de-escalate tensions, while Mexico has refrained from retaliation after Trump delayed planned tariffs on its exports.
"This is what a trade war looks like—tit-for-tat escalation that can quickly spiral into economic damage for both sides," said Josh Lipsky, senior director at the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center.
A Russian missile strike on a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa killed four people and damaged key infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing threats to Ukraine's vital export routes amid the ongoing war.
Vietnam and Singapore have agreed to enhance cooperation in subsea cables, finance, and energy, upgrading their relations to a "comprehensive strategic relationship." They aim to expand digital connectivity and meet the growing demand for data services, with Singapore investing heavily in Vietnam.
Inditex, parent company of Zara, reported a 4% sales growth in Q1 2025, down from 11% last year, amid concerns about weakening consumer demand. Despite this, the company plans a 9% dividend increase and €1.8 billion investment in growth, with expansion into new markets.
RBI seeks applications for a self-regulatory body for account aggregators. The SRO will oversee compliance, ensuring secure financial data-sharing. Eligible entities must apply by 15 June, with at least 25 members from financial providers and users.
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink to India after months of rivalry. The deal, pending government approval, provides Starlink with a low-cost entry, tapping into India's booming satellite market while boosting Jio’s reach.
A Russian missile strike on a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa killed four people and damaged key infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing threats to Ukraine's vital export routes amid the ongoing war.
NASA has launched two missions to explore the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH satellite constellation will map the cosmos and study solar wind, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and improve space weather forecasts.
On March 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin, co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, along with former heads of state, government, and Board of Trustees members.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to condemn Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan, backing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. A classified draft resolution, rejects the relocation of Gazans, calls for urgent international support, and mobilises opposition to the U.S. stance.
A Russian missile strike on a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa killed four people and damaged key infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing threats to Ukraine's vital export routes amid the ongoing war.
Cuba has granted early release to 553 prisoners as part of a deal mediated by the Holy See during the final days of former U.S. President Joe Biden’s presidency.
Russian officials express reservations over the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, highlighting the need for guarantees and the ongoing military situation.
Vietnam and Singapore have agreed to enhance cooperation in subsea cables, finance, and energy, upgrading their relations to a "comprehensive strategic relationship." They aim to expand digital connectivity and meet the growing demand for data services, with Singapore investing heavily in Vietnam.
China will hold talks with Russia and Iran in Beijing on Iran’s nuclear programme, following a UN Security Council meeting on uranium enrichment concerns.
A Russian missile strike on a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa killed four people and damaged key infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing threats to Ukraine's vital export routes amid the ongoing war.
NASA has launched two missions to explore the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH satellite constellation will map the cosmos and study solar wind, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and improve space weather forecasts.
On March 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin, co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, along with former heads of state, government, and Board of Trustees members.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
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