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Markets in Turmoil: Global Stocks and Oil Slide Amid Tariff Shock

Global financial markets faced a sharp downturn following the announcement of sweeping tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. The tariffs, which include a baseline 10% levy on imports from all countries and significantly higher rates on key trading partners, have sparked fears of a global trade war. Asian markets were among the first to react, with Japan's Nikkei index dropping nearly 3%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 1.5%. European markets followed suit, with major indices like the UK's FTSE 100 and France's CAC 40 experiencing notable declines. U.S. stock futures also tumbled, signaling potential losses when markets open. The oil market was not spared, as crude prices plunged amid concerns over reduced global demand. Investors flocked to safe-haven assets like gold, which reached record highs. The tariffs, aimed at addressing trade imbalances, have drawn criticism from global leaders and economists, who warn of inflationary pressures and potential economic s...
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Small Businesses in Canada Face Bankruptcy Risk Amidst Pandemic-Era Support Withdrawal

 


According to a recent report, thousands of small businesses in Canada are at risk of bankruptcy after the government ended pandemic-era support last month with the economy slowing at a time of high interest rates. 

Small firms that employ fewer than 100 people are critical to the Canadian economy as they give jobs to almost two-thirds of the country’s 12 million private workers. A spike in bankruptcies, which jumped 38% in the first 11 months of 2023, would weigh on economic growth, lobby groups and economists warn. 

Last month, small businesses faced a deadline to repay interest-free loans of C$60,000 ($44,676) made available to each of them during the pandemic. Of the 900,000 who had taken the government support, a fifth have not yet repaid their loans, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Monday. Katherine Cuplinskas, a spokesperson for the Finance Minister said in an emailed response that the Department of Finance did not expect there will be a negative impact on the economy on account of repayment of the loans given as support during the pandemic. She said loan recipients have long had full information on timelines and have been able to plan accordingly.


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