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5 Things to Know Today: Tariffs, a CPI Surprise, and the Mortgage Rate Gap

  July 21, 2026 A new round of US tariffs, a surprise inflation dip, and a widening gap between fixed and variable mortgage rates are all moving in different directions today. Here's what's happening and what it means for your money. 1. Washington hits Canada with new 50% tariffs on everyday goods The White House has announced fresh 50% tariffs on a wide list of Canadian exports, including wine, dairy, furniture, hockey equipment, cement, and clothing. The move is framed as retaliation over Canada's dairy quotas, car import rules, and provincial bans on US alcohol. The tariffs take effect August 19 and apply even to goods that would normally qualify duty-free under CUSMA, though energy, potash, fish, and critical minerals are exempt. What it means for you: This round targets export industries, not imports into Canada, so it won't directly raise shelf prices here the way a Canadian tariff on US goods would. The bigger risk is indirect — job pressure in affected sectors ...

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Trump Criticizes Federal Reserve Chair Powell Over Tariff Remarks

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President Donald Trump has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, hinting at his removal following Powell's comments on the economic impact of tariffs. Powell, in a recent speech, highlighted the potential for increased inflation and slowed economic growth due to the tariffs, which he described as larger than anticipated.

Trump, in a social media post, criticized Powell for not lowering interest rates aggressively, comparing the Federal Reserve's approach unfavorably to the European Central Bank. He stated that Powell's "termination cannot come fast enough," despite legal protections that prevent the president from firing the Federal Reserve Chair without cause.

Powell, who was initially appointed by Trump in 2018 and reappointed in 2022, has emphasized the Federal Reserve's independence and commitment to making decisions based on economic analysis rather than political pressure. This clash underscores ongoing tensions between the administration and the central bank over monetary policy and economic strategy.

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