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Stellantis May Abandon Brampton for Good: What It Means for Ontario Jobs

  Published August 18, 2026 With less than 24 hours left before Washington's 50% tariff deadline hits at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, the headlines are all about cement, wine, and dairy. But the real fight holding up a deal is happening in the auto sector — and this week it collided with a story much closer to home: Stellantis is weighing whether to walk away from its Brampton, Ont. assembly plant for good. Put those two stories together and you get a clearer picture of what's actually at stake for Ontario workers, renters, and taxpayers than any tariff-deadline countdown can show on its own. The Trade Deal Is Stuck on Auto Rules, Not Wine or Cement Canadian and U.S. negotiators have been in Washington for a week trying to head off Trump's Section 338 tariffs — a rarely used trade law that, unlike earlier rounds, doesn't recognize USMCA certificates of origin for the goods it covers. Autos, alcohol, and dairy are all on the list, but autos are the sticking point. Canada is pu...

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Trump Initiates Tariff Investigation on Lumber Imports, Targeting Canada

 

In a move that could reshape the lumber trade landscape, U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Commerce Department to launch a new investigation into lumber imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This probe aims to assess whether imports, including those from Canada, pose a national security risk. The investigation could lead to additional tariffs on top of the existing 14.5% duties on Canadian softwood lumber.

The administration has also announced steps to boost domestic lumber production, including streamlining the permitting process for harvesting timber and salvaging fallen trees. White House officials argue that reliance on imported lumber undermines economic prosperity and national security, citing the U.S. military's significant use of lumber for construction.

This development adds another layer to the long-standing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada over softwood lumber, with potential economic implications for both nations.

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