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Ottawa Backs Down on Digital Tax Dispute Amid Pressure from Trump White House

Canada has reportedly agreed to delay its planned digital services tax (DST) following pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a recent statement from the White House. The tax, which was originally slated to target tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Google, had been a major sticking point in U.S.-Canada trade discussions. The White House claimed Canada “caved” to U.S. demands after months of negotiations, with Trump’s team arguing the tax unfairly targeted American firms. The Canadian government, however, framed the delay as a strategic move to preserve economic stability and avoid retaliatory tariffs. Critics within Canada argue that the government’s decision reflects a growing trend of yielding to U.S. economic influence, while others say the delay is pragmatic given ongoing global talks about a coordinated approach to taxing digital revenues. The issue remains contentious, and observers are watching closely to see whether Canada will revive th...
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Bank of Canada Poised for Significant Rate Cut Amid Economic Slowdown

 

The Bank of Canada is widely expected to reduce its key policy rate by 50 basis points next week, marking its fourth consecutive rate cut and the first substantial reduction outside of the pandemic era in over 15 years. This anticipated move aims to stimulate economic growth as the country grapples with falling prices and sluggish consumer and business spending.

The central bank’s decision, set to be announced on October 23, will likely bring the benchmark rate down to 3.75% from the current 4.25%. This follows a series of rate cuts that began in June, prompted by consistent signs of cooling inflation and weakening economic growth.

Governor Tiff Macklem has indicated that the Bank of Canada is increasingly concerned about the risks of a faltering economy and declining inflation. Recent data has shown that Canada’s GDP growth has been minimal, with a mere 0.2% increase in July and a likely stall in August. Additionally, headline inflation for September was recorded at 1.6%, below the central bank’s target range.

Economists and financial markets are largely in agreement about the upcoming rate cut, with a Reuters poll showing that two-thirds of economists expect a 50 basis point reduction. This move is seen as necessary to support the economy, despite some concerns about potential inflationary pressures.

The Bank of Canada’s upcoming monetary policy report will provide further insights into its economic forecasts and the rationale behind its decision. As the central bank navigates these challenging economic conditions, its actions will be closely watched by markets and policymakers alike.


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