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Trump’s Tariffs on Lumber and Furniture Spark Trade Tensions, Raise Cost Concerns

                                        The US says new tariffs on imported lumber aim to protect national security U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs officially took effect Tuesday, targeting imports of softwood lumber, upholstered furniture, and kitchen cabinets. The new measures impose a 10% duty on lumber and 25% tariffs on furniture and cabinetry , with some rates set to rise further in early 2026. The White House has framed the move as an effort to protect American industries and strengthen national security , but the decision is already drawing sharp criticism from Canadian producers, who supply a significant share of U.S. lumber and wood products. Industry experts warn that the tariffs could push up construction costs and add pressure to an already strained housing market. Canadian officials have expressed concern that the duties will hu...
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Inflation Jitters Rattle Markets: Dow Plunges 500 Points

U.S. stock markets were gripped by turbulence today as investors grappled with a hotter-than-expected January inflation report. The data revealed that prices cooled at a slower pace than anticipated, sending shockwaves through Wall Street.

Here are the Numbers

  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) plummeted 1.4%, shedding approximately 500 points.
  • The S&P 500 (GSPC) followed suit, experiencing a similar drop.
  • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) led the day’s sharp declines, closing down 1.8%.

Impact of Inflation

  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) release for January showed “core” prices increased by 0.4%, marking the largest monthly gain since April 2023.
  • On a headline basis, prices surged 3.1%, surpassing economist estimates but decelerating from December’s 3.4% annual gain.

Bitcoin’s Comeback

  • Meanwhile, the price of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) hovered below $50,000 after breaching this closely watched level for the first time since 2021.

Market Fallout

  • It was the worst day for both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 since January 31, while the Dow experienced its most significant decline since March 2022.
  • Small caps also suffered, with the Russell 2000 (RUT) closing at its lowest level since June 2022.

As investors recalibrate their expectations, uncertainty looms over the path forward. Will the Federal Reserve’s next move address these inflationary pressures? Only time will tell.


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