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5 Things to Know Today: Canada Enters Recession, Oil Slips on Iran Ceasefire Talk

Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Your quick-hit Canadian financial briefing for the day. 1.Canada Officially Meets the Definition of a Technical Recession Statistics Canada confirmed Friday that real GDP contracted 0.1% on an annualized basis in Q1 2026 — following a revised 1.0% drop in Q4 2025 . That's two straight quarters of negative growth, which meets the technical definition of a recession. The miss was a big one: economists had forecast growth of 1.5% . The main culprits were a surge in imports (up 2.9%, largely gold), declining business capital investment (down 0.7% — its fifth consecutive quarterly drop ), and weakness in resource extraction and construction. On a per-capita basis, GDP actually edged up 0.2% as Canada's population shrank for the second quarter in a row. Not everyone is ready to call it a full recession: some economists note that three of the four weak months were isolated, and early April data points to a sharp 0.4% rebound . Still, the numbers ...

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Trump's Trade Diplomacy: A Step Toward Resolution with the EU

In a significant move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about resolving trade disputes with the European Union (EU). This comes amidst ongoing tensions over tariffs and trade barriers that have strained transatlantic relations. Trump's announcement of a temporary 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs exceeding 10% signals a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.

The EU has reciprocated by suspending its planned counter-tariffs for the same duration, creating a window for negotiations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of this pause, describing it as an opportunity to pursue a "frictionless" trading relationship. Both sides aim to address key issues, including tariffs on steel and aluminum, agricultural subsidies, and intellectual property rights.

This diplomatic effort could pave the way for a more collaborative relationship between the U.S. and the EU, potentially setting a precedent for future trade agreements worldwide. While challenges remain, the temporary halt in tariffs offers a glimmer of hope for resolving long-standing disputes and fostering economic cooperation.

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