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5 Things to Know Today: Tariff Deal Terms, a Gold Miner Rally, and a Stronger Loonie

  Thursday, August 20, 2026 Here's what's moving Canadian wallets today — from the fine print on the tariff pause to a gold-stock rally, a stronger loonie, and how much runway is left on the gas tax break. 1. The tariff deal is taking shape — but the clock is still running Tuesday's three-day pause on the threatened 50% U.S. tariffs expires at the end of day tomorrow, Friday, August 21. Details reported by people familiar with the talks point to steel and aluminum tariffs dropping to 25% (from 50%) and auto tariffs falling to 15% (from 25%), with Canada opening more dairy market access to U.S. farmers and dropping retaliatory measures in return. Nothing is signed yet — Prime Minister Mark Carney's office says "important work" remains before the paperwork is final. What it means for you: If these terms hold, tariffs land well below the threatened 50% — but still meaningfully above where things stood before 2025. Auto-sector jobs and grocery-aisle prices (espec...

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Trump's Semiconductor Tariff Plans Leave Tech Industry on Edge


In a move that has sent ripples through the tech industry, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce tariffs on imported semiconductors. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump hinted at flexibility for certain companies but emphasized the need to bolster domestic production of chips and electronics. This announcement follows a series of tariff exemptions for consumer electronics, which had briefly raised hopes within the tech sector.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that while some products like smartphones and laptops are temporarily exempt, they will likely face separate tariffs in the coming months. This back-and-forth has created significant uncertainty, with industry leaders expressing concerns over potential disruptions to global supply chains and increased costs for consumers.

The semiconductor tariffs are part of a broader strategy to reshape the electronics supply chain and encourage domestic manufacturing. However, the tech industry remains wary, as these measures could lead to retaliatory actions from trade partners and further volatility in the market. 

The coming weeks will reveal the full scope of these tariffs and their impact on the global tech landscape.

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