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CUSMA Not Renewed: What the Trade Deal Impasse Means for Your Wallet

  July 2, 2026 | Trade & Economy The mandatory six-year review of Canada's most important trade agreement came and went this week — and it did not go the way Ottawa hoped. On July 1, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the United States will not renew the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in its current form, sending the deal into a more uncertain, year-by-year footing right as Canadians are already navigating tariffs, a soft labour market, and a technical recession. Here is what actually happened, why it matters, and what it could mean for your budget in the months ahead. The short version CUSMA isn't dead. It remains legally in force until 2036. But instead of locking in a fresh 16-year term, the deal now shifts into annual reviews, with existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and softwood lumber unresolved for now. What happened on July 1 CUSMA was built with a mandatory joint review every six years. If Canada, the U.S. and Mexico had a...

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Trudeau Stays Put Over Holidays, Freeland Eyes Leadership

 

Despite mounting pressure from within his party, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided not to step down over the Christmas holidays. According to sources, Trudeau will spend Christmas in Ottawa before heading to British Columbia for a ski vacation with his family. 

The Liberal Party is currently in turmoil following the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Freeland's departure has intensified calls for Trudeau to resign, with many Liberal MPs suggesting she could be a strong contender for the party's leadership. Freeland's resignation letter highlighted her disagreements with Trudeau over the direction of the government, particularly in light of the challenges posed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats.

As Trudeau reflects on his future, the Liberal Party is preparing for a potential leadership contest. Freeland, who has been praised for her handling of the NAFTA negotiations and her role during the COVID-19 pandemic, is seen by many as a capable successor. However, her popularity is not universal, with some MPs criticizing the timing and manner of her resignation.

The coming weeks will be crucial for the Liberal Party as they navigate this period of uncertainty and prepare for the possibility of a new leader at the helm.

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