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.
Azerbaijan has long understood the importance of fostering strong relations with its Central Asian neighbours as the country is strategically located ...
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted key developments in the ongoing peace efforts to end the war in Ukraine, stressing the ...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 16th of December, covering the latest developments you need to...
Thousands gathered at vigils across Australia on Monday evening to honour the 15 people killed in a terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday. T...
As Europe grapples with how to best support Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russian aggression, key meetings in Brussels and Berlin are testing ...
President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC over edited footage of a speech that made it appear he encouraged supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol 6 January 2021, marking an international extension of his ongoing battle against media coverage he deems inaccurate or biased.
Azerbaijan has long understood the importance of fostering strong relations with its Central Asian neighbours as the country is strategically located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
European leaders are searching for ways to keep Ukraine afloat as the war with Russia continues, and as financial support from the United States declines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in high-level talks in Berlin from 14-15 December, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.S. envoys, and European leaders, focusing on security guarantees and the framework for a potential peace deal with Russia.
Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, has said that Ukraine has not provided Moscow with a list of thousands of children it alleges were taken illegally to Russia, despite the issue being discussed during talks in Istanbul.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has offered condolences to President Donald Trump following an ISIS attack near the ancient city of Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, Syrian and U.S. officials said Sunday.
At least 17 people, including students, were killed and 20 others injured after a school bus fell off a cliff in northern Colombia on Sunday, authorities said.
At least 37 people have been killed in flash floods triggered by torrential rain in Morocco's Atlantic coastal province of Safi, Moroccan authorities said on Monday (15 December).
At least 37 people have died and dozens of others were injured after flash floods swept through Morocco’s Atlantic coastal city of Safi on Sunday, authorities said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted key developments in the ongoing peace efforts to end the war in Ukraine, stressing the importance of a robust peacekeeping force and the alignment between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 16th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Thousands gathered at vigils across Australia on Monday evening to honour the 15 people killed in a terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday. The mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration is being treated as terrorism, prompting the Australian national cabinet to tighten gun laws.
As Europe grapples with how to best support Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russian aggression, key meetings in Brussels and Berlin are testing the continent's resolve.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is examining whether Israel violated the Gaza ceasefire agreement by conducting an airstrike on Saturday (13 December) that killed Hamas leader Raad Saad.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment