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Weekly Market Snapshot: Trade Talks Collapse, 50% Tariffs Hit as Markets Wrap a Choppy Week

  Published August 22, 2026 · Canadian Money Brief BREAKING OVER THE WEEKEND U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed late Friday night, and the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods just after midnight Saturday. Ottawa says it will retaliate dollar-for-dollar. Here's what happened on the markets before that news broke — and what it means for your wallet now. It was a genuinely strange week to be a Canadian investor. Stocks mostly rallied through Friday on hope that Washington and Ottawa were closing in on a trade deal. Then, hours after the closing bell, that deal fell apart. The 50% tariff that had been threatened, paused, and re-threatened for weeks finally landed. Markets haven't had a chance to react to it yet — that reaction starts Monday morning. Below is how the week actually traded, market by market, followed by what the tariff news means for you and what's on deck for next week. TSX: A Choppy Week That Ended With a Miner-Led Rally The S&P/...

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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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