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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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Stocks Rise as Weak Economic Data Sink US Yields

                                        

Wall Street traders sent stocks higher and bond yields fell as a string of weaker-than-estimated economic reports reinforced the case for the Federal Reserve to start cutting rates this year. In a shortened session ahead of the US holiday, the S&P 500 headed toward a fresh all-time high.

In summary:

  • The S&P 500 rose to around 5,520.
  • Tesla Inc. extended its rally into a seventh straight session.
  • Amazon.com Inc. fell.
  • Treasury 10-year yields fell seven basis points to 4.36%.
  • Swap traders project almost two rate cuts in 2024, with the first in November.
  • The dollar headed toward its biggest drop since mid-May.

Investors are closely watching Friday’s employment data for further insight into the state of the labor market. Economists anticipate a 190,000 gain in nonfarm payrolls, with the unemployment rate holding at 4%.


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