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The CUSMA Countdown: 24 Days to a Trade Deadline That Could Hit Your Wallet

Canada's free trade deal with the U.S. hits a mandatory review milestone on July 1. With negotiations unresolved and Washington demanding changes, here's what it actually means for your groceries, your car, and your job. MoneySavings.ca Staff Canadian Money Brief June 7, 2026 5 min read What Is CUSMA and Why Does July 1 Matter? CUSMA — the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement — is the trade deal that keeps the North American economy humming. It replaced NAFTA in 2020 and governs the movement of trillions of dollars in goods and services across the Canada-U.S. border every year. For Canadian consumers, it's largely invisible — until it isn't. Built into the agreement is a mandatory six-year joint review, and that clock expires on July 1, 2026 . By that date, all three countries must declare whether they want to renew the deal for another 16 years, trigger annual reviews, or walk away. Whatever they decide, CUSMA technically stays in force until 2036 — but the path chose...

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Trump’s Re-election Sends Canadian Dollar to Four-Year Low

 

The re-election of Donald Trump has significantly impacted the currency markets, with the Canadian dollar (loonie) falling to a four-year low against the U.S. dollar. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Trump trade,” has seen the loonie drop around 2% since the election and approximately 4% since September, when financial markets began anticipating Trump’s return to the White House.

The primary driver behind this decline is the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, bolstered by expectations of Trump’s economic policies, which include tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and deregulation. These policies are anticipated to boost U.S. economic growth, increase the government deficit, and fuel inflation, leading to higher U.S. interest rates and a surging equity market.

For Canada, the weaker loonie has mixed implications. On one hand, it makes Canadian exports more competitive, potentially benefiting exporters. On the other hand, it raises the cost of imported goods, impacting Canadian consumers who will face higher prices for products coming from the U.S. The Bank of Canada has also been cutting interest rates faster than the U.S. Federal Reserve to stave off a recession, further contributing to the loonie’s decline.

Overall, the “Trump trade” underscores the interconnectedness of global economies and the significant influence of U.S. economic policies on international markets.


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