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Ottawa Backs Down on Digital Tax Dispute Amid Pressure from Trump White House

Canada has reportedly agreed to delay its planned digital services tax (DST) following pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a recent statement from the White House. The tax, which was originally slated to target tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Google, had been a major sticking point in U.S.-Canada trade discussions. The White House claimed Canada “caved” to U.S. demands after months of negotiations, with Trump’s team arguing the tax unfairly targeted American firms. The Canadian government, however, framed the delay as a strategic move to preserve economic stability and avoid retaliatory tariffs. Critics within Canada argue that the government’s decision reflects a growing trend of yielding to U.S. economic influence, while others say the delay is pragmatic given ongoing global talks about a coordinated approach to taxing digital revenues. The issue remains contentious, and observers are watching closely to see whether Canada will revive th...

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Trump Administration Initiates Major Federal Workforce Reduction


In a significant move, the Trump administration has issued a memo directing federal agencies to develop plans for large-scale layoffs. This directive is part of President Donald Trump's broader effort to downsize the federal workforce, which he has often described as bloated and inefficient.

The memo, distributed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), requires agencies to submit their plans for a reduction in force (RIF) by March 13. These plans will not only lay off employees but also eliminate their positions altogether, potentially leading to extensive changes in how the government functions.

Russell Vought, director of the OMB, emphasized the need for a more efficient government, stating, "The federal government is costly, inefficient, and deeply in debt. At the same time, it is not producing results for the American public".

The memo comes as Trump prepares for the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, with Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, playing a key advisory role. The administration's goal is to streamline operations and improve productivity, even if it means significant workforce reductions.

This move has already sparked protests among federal workers, who fear the impact of these layoffs on their livelihoods and the overall functioning of government services. The coming weeks will reveal how these plans unfold and their broader implications for the federal workforce and public services.






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