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12 Days to the Tariff Deadline: What August 19 Actually Means for Your Wallet

  Published August 7, 2026 Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is back in Washington, Mark Carney says his tone is "quite firm," and the clock is running out on a deal. Here's what's actually on the line — and why it matters even if you've never shipped a case of wine across the border. The countdown: At 12:01 a.m. ET on August 19, new 50% U.S. tariffs are scheduled to hit roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian exports — with or without a deal. What's actually happening on August 19 On July 20, President Trump signed three separate proclamations under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 — a Depression-era provision that had never been used this way before. Each proclamation targets a different Canadian sector the U.S. says is treated unfairly: motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, and dairy. Every covered good gets hit with an additional 50% tariff the moment it crosses into the U.S. The headline categories get the attention, but the actual product lists — buried ...

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Starbucks Announces Layoffs Amid Operational Streamlining

 

Starbucks has announced plans to lay off 1,100 corporate employees globally as part of a broader effort to streamline operations under the leadership of new Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol. In a letter to employees released on Monday, Niccol outlined the company's intent to operate more efficiently, increase accountability, reduce complexity, and drive better integration.

The layoffs will affect corporate support employees, but baristas and other store-level staff will not be impacted. Additionally, several hundred open and unfilled positions will be eliminated. Niccol emphasized the need for all work to be overseen by decision-makers to reduce the complexity of Starbucks' structure and eliminate silos that hinder communication.

Niccol, who was hired last fall to address sluggish sales, has also implemented changes to improve service times, particularly during the morning rush, and re-establish Starbucks locations as community gathering places. The company is also cutting items from its menu and experimenting with ordering algorithms to better manage its mix of mobile, drive-thru, and in-store orders.

Despite a 2% decline in global same-store sales during its 2024 fiscal year, Starbucks has seen positive results from recent changes, including the decision to stop charging extra for non-dairy milk and streamlining the menu. These efforts have boosted store traffic and improved service, leading to a modest increase in Starbucks' shares.



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