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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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Hot Tea, High Stakes: California Man Wins $50 Million Lawsuit Against Starbucks

A California delivery driver, Michael Garcia, has been awarded $50 million in a lawsuit against Starbucks after suffering severe burns from a spilled tea. The incident occurred in February 2020 at a drive-through, where a venti-sized tea fell onto Garcia's lap, causing permanent and life-altering injuries.

Garcia's legal team argued that the scalding-hot tea was not securely placed in a takeout tray by a Starbucks employee, leading to the accident. The Los Angeles County jury sided with Garcia, holding Starbucks accountable for negligence. Garcia underwent multiple medical procedures, including skin grafts, due to the burns.

Starbucks has expressed sympathy for Garcia but plans to appeal the decision, calling the damages excessive. This case echoes past high-profile lawsuits involving hot beverages, such as the famous McDonald's coffee case in the 1990s.

The verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of safety standards in handling hot drinks, both for businesses and consumers.

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