U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his tariff assault on Canada on Thursday, saying the U.S. would impose a 35 per cent tariff on imports next month. Exceptions for goods under CUSMA, which includes many agricultural products, are expected to continue a White House official said.

Trump says he’ll up Canadian tariff rate to 35 per cent next month
Exceptions for goods under CUSMA are expected to continue says White House official

Trump unveils roadmap for reciprocal tariffs on US allies, competitors
U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a roadmap on Thursday for charging reciprocal tariffs on every country that puts duties on U.S. imports, his latest trade salvo directed at American friends and foes that the White House says will strengthen economic and national security.

Trump expected to announce 25 per cent steel and aluminum tariffs in latest trade salvo
Trumps suggests more announcements later this week; EU floats retaliatory measures
President Donald Trump is expected to introduce new 25 per cent tariffs on Monday on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., on top of existing metals duties, in another escalation of his shake-up of trade policy.

Biden overhauling U.S. marijuana policy
Prior federal offenses to be pardoned; moves could ease U.S. business for cannabis firms
Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to overhaul U.S. policy on marijuana on Thursday by pardoning thousands of people with federal offenses for simple marijuana possession — and initiating a review of how the drug is classified. Biden said thousands of people with prior federal convictions could be denied employment, housing […] Read more

U.S. eyes baby formula imports amid nationwide shortage
About 40 per cent of formula products out of stock in U.S.
Washington | Reuters — U.S. health regulators will announce action on baby formula imports as soon as Monday to address a nationwide shortage that has left parents scrambling to feed their babies, the Food and Drug Administration’s chief said. FDA commissioner Robert Califf provided no details, but President Joe Biden said last week he was […] Read more

White House not ruling out a U.S. carbon tax
Option 'not off the table' despite Manchin comment
Washington | Reuters –– The White House on Tuesday said it has not ruled out a carbon tax as a possible option for fighting climate change, even though U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a critical holdout in the closely divided Senate, said he was not discussing the topic in talks about U.S. spending and infrastructure bills. […] Read more

Ransomware attack on JBS halts Canadian, U.S. slaughter
Cyberattack likely from Russia, White House says
Chicago/Aboard Air Force One | Reuters — Brazil’s JBS SA told the U.S. government that a ransomware attack on the company that has disrupted meat production in North America and Australia originated from a criminal organization likely based in Russia, the White House said on Tuesday. JBS is the world’s largest meatpacker and the cyberattack […] Read more

Trump orders U.S. meat processing plants to stay open
Advocates call for protective equipment for plant workers
Washington/Chicago | Reuters — President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered meat-processing plants to stay open to protect the food supply in the United States, despite concerns about coronavirus outbreaks, drawing a backlash from unions that said at-risk workers required more protection. With concerns about food shortages and supply chain disruptions, Trump issued an executive order […] Read more

Trump signs CUSMA pact
Canada's ratification still to come
Washington | Reuters — President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a new North American trade agreement during an outdoor ceremony at the White House attended by about 400 guests — but not the key Democrats who helped secure congressional passage of the deal. Trump, on trial in the U.S. Senate on charges of abusing power […] Read more

U.S., Japan sign limited trade deal
New York | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed a limited trade deal on Wednesday that cuts tariffs on U.S. farm goods, Japanese machine tools and other products while further staving off the threat of higher U.S. car duties. Trump said the deal would open up Japanese markets […] Read more