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5 Things to Know Today: US Import Ban, Oil Tops $100, TSX Slides, ECB Hikes

  September 10, 2026 A big trade-war escalation, a return of $100 oil, a wobbly TSX, and a central bank on the move overseas — here's what's moving markets and your wallet this morning. 1. Washington Bans Canadian Alcohol, Dairy Ingredients and Motorcycles The trade war jumped up another notch Tuesday night. The White House issued executive orders banning imports of most Canadian alcoholic beverages — beer, wine, whisky, vodka, rum, tequila and more — along with whey protein, molasses and non-alcoholic beer, plus Canadian-made motorcycles. The bans take effect September 29. Several cheese products were added to the existing 50% tariff list rather than banned outright, and Trump's threat to raise auto tariffs from 25% to 50% on January 1 remains on the table. The move follows Canada's own $27.6-billion retaliation tariffs, which took effect at midnight Tuesday. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc called the U.S. measures "unjustified." What it means for you: This m...
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Japan Sinks into Recession and Loses Its Position in the Global Economy

 

In a significant economic shift, Japan has slipped from its position as the world’s third-largest economy, falling behind Germany. The latest government data reveals that Japan’s economy contracted in the last quarter of 2023, leading to this change in ranking.

For over a decade, Japan held the second spot, but it ceded that position to China. Now, it faces another setback as Germany surpasses it. Here are the key points:

  1. Economic Contraction: Japan’s real GDP shrank by 0.1% in the final quarter of 2023, primarily due to weak spending by households and businesses. Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of economic activity, fell by 0.2% as households grappled with rising living costs and stagnant wages.

  2. Yen’s Impact: The sharp decline of the Japanese yen against the US dollar over the past two years played a crucial role. A weaker yen affects export profits when earnings are repatriated. Germany, too, faces similar challenges, despite being Europe’s largest economy.

  3. Structural Reforms Needed: Japan’s labor crunch is worse than Germany’s, and addressing the low birthrate remains a challenge. The government emphasizes structural reforms, including promoting full-time work for women and easing barriers to foreign investment.

  4. Technical Recession: With two consecutive quarters of contraction, Japan officially enters a technical recession. The country must navigate economic headwinds while welcoming a record number of foreign workers.

While the loss of its global ranking is a blow, Japan remains resilient. As it grapples with demographic shifts and economic complexities, policymakers strive to steer the nation toward sustainable growth.


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