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Canada’s energy exports to US hit with 10% Trump tariff over fentanyl crisis

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American’s northern neighbor will get the same 25% tariff except with a 10% tariff on Canadian energy resources. That will continue “until Canada cooperates with the U.S. against drug traffickers and on border security,” the statement said.

President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to hold Mexico, Canada and China accountable with tariffs on the nation’s top three trading partners, raising concerns about the potential for higher prices.

“This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.”

Trump put in place a 25% tariff “to be paid for by Mexican producers until Mexico cooperates with the U.S. in the fight against drugs,” a White House statement said.

Tariffs are taxes paid by the companies that import goods.

Fentanyl is an opioid blamed for more than 75% of U.S. overdose deaths.

“Mexican cartels are the world’s leading traffickers of fentanyl, meth, and other drugs,” the statement said. “These cartels have an alliance with the government of Mexico and endanger the national security and public health of the United States.”

American’s northern neighbor will get the same 25% tariff except with a 10% tariff on Canadian energy resources. That will continue “until Canada cooperates with the U.S. against drug traffickers and on border security,” the statement said.

Trump’s Canadian tariff is further aimed a stopping illegal border crossings.

“Illegal border crossings from Canada reached historic new highs every year for the last four fiscal years,” the White House said.

For China, the tariff will be an additional 10% until it cooperates with the U.S. on the fight against fentanyl.

“The Chinese Communist Party has subsidized Chinese chemical companies to export fentanyl,” the White House said. “China not only fails to stem the source of illicit drugs but actively helps this business.”

The tariff’s were posted on The White House’s X account Saturday afternoon.

Mexico, Canada and China are the top three U.S. trading partners responsible for about 40% of U.S. imports in 2024. Some economists say the move could push prices higher for U.S. consumers. It could also start a trade war. All three countries have promised to respond in kind.

Trump initially said the tariffs would be put in place on Jan. 20, but didn’t immediately follow through on that. Rather, he waited until Feb. 1.

Trump promised during his inaugural address that tariffs would make America “rich as hell.”

Trump also promised tariffs would help lower the tax burden on Americans.

“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens,” the president said.

Trump’s tariffs could generate $450 billion in revenue a year, according to adviser and investor John Paulson. The amount such tariffs would ultimately bring in depends on multiple factors, including how other nations respond to U.S. tariffs. That makes it “highly uncertain,” according to credit-rating agency Moody’s.

Trump previously said he couldn’t guarantee that his tariff plans will not raise prices for U.S. consumers.

Tariffs could raise prices for U.S. consumers and slow economic growth. S&P Global, a credit-rating agency, reported that Trump’s proposed tariffs could boost inflation by 1.8% and lower U.S. economic output by 1%, according to a post-election report.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday Canada was prepared to respond.

“If the president does choose to implement any tariffs against Canada, we’re ready with a response – a purposeful, forceful but reasonable immediate response,” Trudeau said.

“We won’t relent until tariffs are removed,” the prime minister said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that Mexico “will always maintain dialogue with the U.S. and that Mexico has multiple plans for a response.”

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, governs trade between the U.S. and its northern and southern neighbors. It went into force on July 1, 2020, and Trump signed the deal.

U.S. goods and services trade with USMCA totaled an estimated $1.8 trillion in 2022. Exports were $789.7 billion and imports were $974.3 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with USMCA was $184.6 billion in 2022, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

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2025 Federal Election

As PM Poilievre would cancel summer holidays for MP’s so Ottawa can finally get back to work

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From Conservative Party Communications

In the first 100 days, a new Conservative government will pass 3 laws:

1. Affordability For a Change Act—cutting spending, income tax, sales tax off homes

2. Safety For a Change Act to lock up criminals

3. Bring Home Jobs Act—that repeals C-69, sets up 6 month permit turnarounds for new projects

No summer holiday til they pass!

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced today that as Prime Minister he will cancel the summer holiday for Ottawa politicians and introduce three pieces of legislation to make life affordable, stop crime, and unleash our economy to bring back powerful paycheques. Because change can’t wait.

A new Conservative government will kickstart the plan to undo the damage of the Lost Liberal Decade and restore the promise of Canada with a comprehensive legislative agenda to reverse the worst Trudeau laws and cut the cost of living, crack down on crime, and unleash the Canadian economy with ‘100 Days of Change.’ Parliament will not rise until all three bills are law and Canadians get the change they voted for.

“After three Liberal terms, Canadians want change now,” said Poilievre. “My plan for ‘100 Days of Change’ will deliver that change. A new Conservative government will immediately get to work, and we will not stop until we have delivered lower costs, safer streets, and bigger paycheques.”

The ’100 Days of Change’ will include three pieces of legislation:

The Affordability–For a Change Act 

Will lower food prices, build more homes, and bring back affordability for Canadians by:

We will also:

  • Identify 15% of federal buildings and lands to sell for housing in Canadian cities.

The Safe Streets–For a Change Act 

Will end the Liberal violent crime wave by:

The Bring Home Jobs–For a Change Act 

This Act will be rocket fuel for our economy. We will unleash Canada’s vast resource wealth, bring back investment, and create powerful paycheques for workers so we can stand on our own feet and stand up to Trump from a position of strength, by:

Poilievre will also:

  • Call President Trump to end the damaging and unjustified tariffs and accelerate negotiations to replace CUSMA with a new deal on trade and security. We need certainty—not chaos, but Conservatives will never compromise on our sovereignty and security. 
  • Get Phase 2 of LNG Canada built to double the project’s natural gas production.
  • Accelerate at least nine other projects currently snarled in Liberal red tape to get workers working and Canada building again.

“After the Lost Liberal Decade of rising costs and crime and a falling economy under America’s thumb, we cannot afford a fourth Liberal term,” said Poilievre. “We need real change, and that is what Conservatives will bring in the first 100 days of a new government. A new Conservative government will get to work on Day 1 and we won’t stop until we have delivered the change we promised, the change Canadians deserve, the change Canadians voted for.”

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Automotive

Canadians’ Interest in Buying an EV Falls for Third Year in a Row

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From Energy Now

Electric vehicle prices fell 7.8 per cent in the last quarter of 2024 year-over-year, according to the AutoTader price index

Fewer Canadians are considering buying an electric vehicle, marking the third year in a row interest has dropped despite lower EV prices, a survey from AutoTrader shows.

Forty-two per cent of survey respondents say they’re considering an EV as their next vehicle, down from 46 per cent last year. In 2022, 68 per cent said they would consider buying an EV.

Meanwhile, 29 per cent of respondents say they would exclusively consider buying an EV — a significant drop from 40 per cent last year.

The report, which surveyed 1,801 people on the AutoTrader website, shows drivers are concerned about reduced government incentives, a lack of infrastructure and long-term costs despite falling prices.

Electric vehicle prices fell 7.8 per cent in the last quarter of 2024 year-over-year, according to the AutoTader price index.

The survey, conducted between Feb. 13 and March 12, shows 68 per cent of non-EV owners say government incentives could influence their decision, while a little over half say incentives increase their confidence in buying an EV.

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