Skip to main content

Featured

How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Hitting Your Wallet Right Now

Published May 17, 2026  |  Category: Oil Prices & Energy  |  By MoneySavings.ca If you've winced lately at the gas pump or noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you're not imagining it. A geopolitical crisis unfolding halfway around the world — at a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman — is directly squeezing Canadian budgets. Here's everything you need to know, and what you can do about it. What Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway just 33 kilometres wide at its tightest point, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Despite its modest size, it is the world's single most critical energy chokepoint. Before this crisis, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through it every single day — about 20% of all the world's seaborne oil supply, plus significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Think of it as the world's energy jugular vein. When it gets blocked, the entire planet feels it. What Happened? On Februa...

article

Impact of President Biden’s New China Tariffs on Consumers

In a significant policy shift, President Biden has announced new tariffs on Chinese goods, including electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, and medical supplies. This move has sparked widespread discussion about its implications for American consumers.

  • Electric Vehicles and Semiconductors: The tariffs are set to quadruple for imported Chinese EVs, jumping from 25% to 100%, and semiconductors will see an increase from 25% to 50%. This could potentially affect the prices and availability of these products in the U.S. market.

  • Solar and Steel: Additionally, some tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum will rise from 7.5% to 25%. This may lead to increased costs for industries relying on these materials, possibly trickling down to consumer prices.

  • Political and Economic Strategy: The timing of these tariffs, with Election Day less than six months away, suggests a strategic move by the Biden administration to bolster domestic industries and secure political support.

  • Consumer Impact: Experts are divided on the impact these tariffs will have on U.S. consumers. Some argue there will be no inflationary impact, while others believe it could lead to higher prices for affected goods.

The administration’s stance is clear: to protect American jobs and industries from being undercut by unfairly priced imports. However, the true effect on consumers remains to be seen as the policy unfolds.


Comments