In the news today: Trade agreement worthless with Trump tariffs

Architects say Trump’s tariffs ‘blows a complete hole’ in continental trade agreement

The architects of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement say U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war has crossed a line that essentially wipes out the continental trade pact. Canada’s chief negotiator Steve Verheul and Mexico’s chief negotiator Ken Smith Ramos say 25 per cent tariffs, and a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy, essentially suspend the deal. Trump followed through on Tuesday on his threat to impose sweeping economy-wide tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Verheul and Ramos both say there can be no talks about a trade pact as long as the countries are under a cloud of devastating duties.

Read More:

Provinces use liquor leverage in trade war

An expert on supply-chain management says provincial and territorial decisions to remove U.S. liquor from their store shelves is an effective way to get the attention of American companies, letting them know that tariffs lead to trade wars. Samuel Roscoe, a lecturer at the University of B.C.’s Sauder School of Business, says the provinces are using their control over alcohol to send a message that tariffs are harmful on both sides of the border. Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, and Yukon have halted the sale of all American alcohol as they strike back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Cyanide-contaminated mine water may have leaked

The Yukon government says it has been informed of an “unauthorized discharge of cyanide-impacted water” at the site of last summer’s mine disaster north of Mayo. An update from the government says the court-appointed receiver running the cleanup operation at the Eagle Gold mine says a pipe leak was identified on Feb. 17. The government says the receiver initiated repairs and originally believed the water hadn’t spilled from a lined containment area, so didn’t immediately report it. Officials now estimate that about 150,000 litres of the contaminated water may have been released into the environment.

Third earthquake is felt in Victoria, B.C.

Another earthquake has shaken Victoria, becoming at least the third felt in British Columbia’s capital in less than two weeks. Earthquakes Canada says the magnitude 3.9 earthquake occurred about 58 kilometres south of Victoria, at 4:18 p.m. on Wednesday. The agency says the tremor was “lightly felt” in Victoria and there are no reports of damage. It’s the latest in a series of earthquakes for the south coast, including a 4.7 magnitude tremor on Feb. 21 that was widely felt in major population centres including Victoria and Vancouver.

Gushue, McEwen, Jacobs secure playoff berths at Montana’s Brier

Three-time defending champion Brad Gushue is picking up where he left off at the Montana’s Brier. His St. John’s, N.L.-based team (7-0) was the first to secure a playoff berth with a 7-6 victory over Alberta’s Kevin Koe on Wednesday at Prospera Place. Two other playoff spots were booked later in the day. Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen (7-0) locked up a spot with a 7-2 win over Rylan Kleiter and Alberta’s Brad Jacobs (6-0) did the same with an 11-5 rout of Ontario’s Sam Mooibroek.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2025.

The Canadian Press