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BoC Set to Hike Into a Weak Economy: What It Means for You

  Canadian Money Brief • Feature Monday, October 26, 2026 • Written ahead of the 9:45 a.m. ET decision on Wednesday, Oct. 28 The Bank of Canada is about to do something that looks backwards. Jobs are disappearing, the housing market is sluggish, and yet money markets and most economists expect the central bank to raise its key rate on Wednesday. If it happens, your budget gets squeezed from two directions at once: higher borrowing costs and a shakier job market. The short version • Expected move: +0.25 point to 2.50% on Oct. 28, up from 2.25% • Reuters poll: 56% of economists (19 of 34) call for a hike, and a majority see one more by end of March • Why now: energy-driven inflation (3.1% in September) and a bank worried it spreads • The catch: 68,300 jobs lost in September , unemployment at 6.5% Why would the bank hike when the economy is wobbling? Reuters reports the Bank of Canada is expected to raise its rate as a pre-emptive strike: the goal is to stop an oil-driven jump in p...

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China Strikes Back: Retaliatory Tariffs Signal Renewed Trade Tensions

 

New U.S. tariffs have come into force, triggering an immediate response from Beijing. As the 10% duty on Chinese exports takes effect, Chinese officials have announced a series of countermeasures aimed at protecting national interests and sending a strong message to Washington.

In a swift reply, China will impose a 15% tariff on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas imports, and a 10% levy on U.S. crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large vehicles. The retaliatory measures also extend to the imposition of export controls on key rare earth metals that are critical for high-tech manufacturing and the transition to clean energy. In addition, Chinese regulators have launched an antitrust investigation into Google, further intensifying the dispute.

Although these new tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Monday, their announcement underscores Beijing’s readiness to challenge U.S. protectionist policies. China has vowed to defend its interests through legal channels at the World Trade Organization, while also leaving open the possibility for negotiations aimed at de-escalating the growing trade conflict.

These developments highlight that, despite ongoing calls for dialogue, the trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies remains far from resolved.


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