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The U.S. Alcohol Ban Is Now Live: Who's Exempt, Who's Shut Out, and What It Means for Your Wallet

  At 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 29, the United States stopped letting most packaged Canadian beer, wine, cider and spirits through the border. Not taxed. Blocked. It's the sharpest step yet in the alcohol front of the trade war, and it lands on a very uneven set of shoulders. Two weeks ago we walked through what was coming. Now that it's live, here's what the ban actually covers, who slips through, and what it does (and doesn't) mean for your own budget. What took effect The White House announced the measures on Sept. 8, after Canada's own retaliation tariffs kicked in. The U.S. framed them as a response to Canada's treatment of American dairy, autos and alcohol, and to provinces pulling U.S. liquor from their shelves. The ban covers packaged Canadian beer (including non-alcoholic), wine, cider and spirits, plus whey products, molasses and motorcycles over 800cc. Many of the alcohol products were already facing a 50% U.S. tariff imposed in August; the ban ...

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Fed Faces New Economic Landscape Post-Trump Victory

 

The U.S. Federal Reserve is poised to reduce its benchmark policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point at the conclusion of its policy meeting on Thursday. This decision, while significant, is overshadowed by the broader economic uncertainties following Donald Trump’s re-election.

Trump’s victory introduces potential shifts in economic policies, including changes to tariffs, tax cuts, and immigration, which could significantly impact the Fed’s approach to managing economic growth and inflation. The central bank, which has been focused on combating inflation, may now need to navigate a more complex economic environment with higher federal deficits and potential inflationary pressures.

Market reactions have already been notable, with bond yields rising as investors anticipate a less aggressive rate-cutting cycle from the Fed. The central bank’s challenge will be to balance these new fiscal policies while maintaining its dual mandate of low inflation and low unemployment.

As the Fed moves forward, the relationship between Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be closely watched, especially given their turbulent history during Trump’s first term. Powell, reappointed by President Joe Biden, has indicated his intention to complete his term, which runs through May 2026.

In summary, the Fed’s upcoming rate cut is just the beginning of what promises to be a complex and challenging period for U.S. monetary policy.


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