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Premiers Split on Using Potash as a Trade Weapon — What It Means for Your Grocery Bill

  Published August 31, 2026 Canada's premiers can't agree on how far to take the trade war with the United States — and this week, the fight is over a grey mineral mined almost 2,000 kilometres from Ottawa: potash. The disagreement matters well beyond provincial politics. Potash is the "P" and "K" of fertilizer economics — a key ingredient in the blends that grow the wheat, canola, and corn that eventually show up as bread, canola oil, and everything fed to livestock. Canada supplies about 85% of the potash the U.S. uses, which is exactly why some premiers see it as leverage — and why others are warning that pulling that lever could backfire on the very provinces pushing for it. Ford wants to pull the lever. Moe and Smith are warning not to. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing for the toughest response available, including resource-based leverage. Saskatchewan's Scott Moe and Alberta's Danielle Smith are pumping the brakes, warning that squeezing po...

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Asian Stocks Mixed Amid Volatile Yen After Wall Street Climbs on Inflation Report

 

Global stocks exhibited mixed performance today, with the Japanese yen experiencing fluctuations following the latest U.S. update on inflation. Wall Street’s growing belief in potential relief on interest rates as early as September influenced market dynamics.

Key Points:

  • Yen Volatility: The yen oscillated between gains and losses, losing some ground against the U.S. dollar. Speculation arose that Japanese authorities might have intervened to amplify the impact of milder U.S. inflation data.

  • U.S. Futures: S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures edged 0.1% higher, reflecting optimism about interest rate relief.

  • European Markets: Germany’s DAX rose 0.3%, the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.8%, and London’s FTSE 100 added 0.4%.

  • Asian Markets:

    • Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index declined 2.5%.
    • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 2.6%.
    • Shanghai Composite index remained nearly unchanged.
    • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.9%.
    • South Korea’s Kospi slipped 1.2%.
    • Taiwan’s Taiex declined 2%.
  • Data Releases: Watch for the U.S. producer price index and inflation readings from Germany, France, and Italy later today.

  • Wall Street: Despite pullbacks for some tech giants, four out of five stocks in the S&P 500 index climbed.



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