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CUSMA Not Renewed: What the Trade Deal Impasse Means for Your Wallet

  July 2, 2026 | Trade & Economy The mandatory six-year review of Canada's most important trade agreement came and went this week — and it did not go the way Ottawa hoped. On July 1, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the United States will not renew the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in its current form, sending the deal into a more uncertain, year-by-year footing right as Canadians are already navigating tariffs, a soft labour market, and a technical recession. Here is what actually happened, why it matters, and what it could mean for your budget in the months ahead. The short version CUSMA isn't dead. It remains legally in force until 2036. But instead of locking in a fresh 16-year term, the deal now shifts into annual reviews, with existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and softwood lumber unresolved for now. What happened on July 1 CUSMA was built with a mandatory joint review every six years. If Canada, the U.S. and Mexico had a...

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Stocks Rally on Softer Inflation and Strong Earning

                                     

U.S. stocks surged in premarket trading today following softer-than-expected inflation data and upbeat fourth-quarter earnings reports from major companies.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by 3.2% in December, below forecasts for a 3.3% annual increase. This news has raised hopes for a potential second rate cut by the Federal Reserve this year.

Investors were also buoyed by strong earnings reports from leading financial institutions. JPMorgan Chase reported its highest annual profit on record, while BlackRock and Goldman Sachs posted impressive quarterly results.

The positive sentiment was reflected in the stock market, with U.S. stock index futures soaring by 1.5-1.7%. The dollar fell by 0.5% against a basket of major currencies, and U.S. Treasury yields dropped 8.6 basis points to 4.704%.

Market analysts believe that the combination of lower inflation and robust corporate earnings could provide a much-needed boost to investor confidence and market stability.



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