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How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Hitting Your Wallet Right Now

Published May 17, 2026  |  Category: Oil Prices & Energy  |  By MoneySavings.ca If you've winced lately at the gas pump or noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you're not imagining it. A geopolitical crisis unfolding halfway around the world — at a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman — is directly squeezing Canadian budgets. Here's everything you need to know, and what you can do about it. What Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway just 33 kilometres wide at its tightest point, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Despite its modest size, it is the world's single most critical energy chokepoint. Before this crisis, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through it every single day — about 20% of all the world's seaborne oil supply, plus significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Think of it as the world's energy jugular vein. When it gets blocked, the entire planet feels it. What Happened? On Februa...

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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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