Trump seeks to change how census collects data and wants to exclude immigrants in US illegally
The Republican president said on his social media platform the census' data collections will be based on 'modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024,' an indication he might try to inject his politics into survey work that measures everything from child poverty to business operations.
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Toronto Star
23 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Heartfelt prayers: photos of Argentines turning to the Catholic saint of work in search of jobs
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Pilgrims gathered Thursday at the church of San Cayetano in Buenos Aires to pray to the patron Saint of work: Saint Cajetan. Ariel Robledo drew his image with chalk on the sidewalk outside the Catholic church while others received confession and blessings from priests and union workers protested food insecurity. While austerity measures reduced the monthly inflation rate to below 2% in June — down from over 25% when President Javier Milei took office — they have worsened economic hardship for many, with rising unemployment, declining inflation-adjusted wages and prices still up 40% year-on-year.
23 minutes ago
Manitoba premier calls U.S. politicians 'attention-seekers' throwing a 'timber tantrum' over wildfire smoke
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew accused a group of Republicans of throwing a timber tantrum and playing political games after they called out Canada over wildfires sending smoke billowing across the international border into their states. These are attention-seekers who can't come up with a good idea on health care or on making life more affordable, Kinew told The Canadian Press. So they're playing games with something that's very serious. Kinew said he doesn't generalize these attention-seekers' misguided words to all Americans. He noted that American firefighters have been helping to fight Canada's wildfires and Canadian firefighters were on the ground and in the air during California's devastating wildfire season. I've thanked them and I thanked folks in the Trump administration who sent some of the federal firefighting resources up to Canada and to Manitoba, the premier said. So we're going to have a continued relationship and an ability to support each other through wildfires going forward. In a Wednesday news release, Wisconsin state Rep. Calvin Callahan joined other Republican state lawmakers from Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota in filing a formal complaint against Canada to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and the International Joint Commission, a binational organization that resolves disputes on shared water and air quality. The Republican lawmakers called for an investigation of Canada's wildfire management practices and for potential remedies under international law. If Canada can't get these wildfires under control, they need to face real consequences, Callahan said in the news release. We won't sit back while our air becomes a health hazard. Callahan joins a chorus of Republican politicians at other levels of government who have been voicing concerns about Canada's wildfires. Michigan Rep. Jack Bergman sent a letter to Canadian Sen. Michael MacDonald on Monday calling for stronger forest management policies and more accountability from Canadian officials. Both are members of the Canada—United States Inter-Parliamentary Group. Michigan Rep. John James sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney last week saying his constituents are choking on toxic wildfire smoke. Citing a letter other Republican members of Congress sent to Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman in July, James said that since then, rather than progress, we have seen escalation. James said Kinew's declaration of a second state of emergency in Manitoba confirmed what many Americans have feared: that Canada is not doing nearly enough to stop these fires before they start. WATCH | U.S. lawmakers ask Canada to do more about wildfire smoke: The American lawmaker also criticized Kinew's comments in response to the initial letter. Kinew in July said it turns people off politics when you have got a group of congresspeople trying to trivialize and make hay out of a wildfire season where we've lost lives in our province. A husband and wife were killed by a fast-moving wildfire northeast of Winnipeg in May and thousands have been evacuated from their communities. James said Kinew's comments dismissed the health impacts the wildfire smoke has on neighbouring states. The Republican said the smoke amounts to a public health emergency and it is actively damaging the U.S.-Canada relationship. The increasing pressure from Republicans comes as the bilateral relationship between the two countries remains tense. On Aug. 1, U.S. President Donald Trump boosted tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 per cent after a new security and economic agreement failed to materialize ahead of the president's deadline. The duties do not apply to goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. Canada is also being hit with Trump's steel, aluminum, copper and automobile tariffs. Natural Resources Canada said in July that wildfires are a global problem caused by the effects of climate change, including prolonged drought. Trump has called climate change a hoax and his administration dismissed all of the scientists working on a flagship climate report. Many Republicans point to the 2023 Canadian wildfire season, which was the worst on record. Fires blazing across the country that year sent thick smoke into the United States and even across the Atlantic Ocean to northern Europe. Canadian officials have warned that this year's wildfire season could shape up to be the second-worst on record. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, a non-profit owned and operated by federal, provincial and territorial wildland fire management agencies, said on its website that 744 active wildfires were burning across Canada on Wednesday. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said Tuesday that Canada's recent wildfires offer a stark reminder of the countries' shared challenges. In a statement shared by the U.S. Embassy, Hoekstra said the United States and Canada have a long history of supporting one another in times of crisis. Canadians stood with us during the tragic California wildfires earlier this year, and we are committed to standing with Canada now, he said. Wildfires burning across multiple American states, including California, have been sending smoke into nearby communities.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
The Latest: Businesses and US trading partners worldwide react to Trump's latest tariffs
The U.S. officially began levying higher taxes on imports from dozens of countries Thursday, four months after President Donald Trump first announced plans to impose tariffs on most of the world while seeking new trade agreements across the board. Starting just after midnight, the White House said, goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union would face tariff rates of 10% or higher. Products from the European Union, Japan and South Korea will be taxed at 15%, while imports from Taiwan, Vietnam and Bangladesh will be taxed at 20%. Trump also expects places such as the EU, Japan and South Korea to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. The Trump White House is confident that the onset of his broad tariffs will ramp up new investments and jump-start hiring in ways that can rebalance America as a manufacturing power. But there are already warnings signs of self-inflicted wounds to the U.S. economy — as companies and consumers feel the impact of higher prices from tariffs and brace for more. Here's the latest: Beauty brand e.l.f. raises the prices of all of its products by $1 each, citing tariffs Cosmetics company e.l.f. Beauty, which makes a majority of its products in China, said on Wednesday said that it raised prices by one dollar on its entire product assortment as of Aug. 1 because of tariff costs. That marks the third price hike in its 21-year history. E.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin noted that its average selling price is now $6.50, but that that's still lower compared to nearly $9.50 for other well-established mass cosmetic brands and over $20 for upscale brands. 'I think we're just in that environment right now with the uncertainty of tariffs and the tariff impact that you will probably see more companies take pricing,' Amin told analysts on an earnings call Wednesday. 'We tend to lead, and then we will see how many more will follow us.' E.l.f.'s CFO Mandy Fields told analysts that the company is not sure whether the $1 price increases will be enough to absorb the tariff costs and will monitor what will happen on Aug. 12, when further negotiations between the U.S. and China are planned. 'I think we're just going to have to wait and see how things play out there,' she said. Alcohol trade groups ask for 'toasts not tariffs' A coalition of 57 U.S. associations and state guilds that represent businesses that make, import, distribute and sell alcohol, called the 'Toasts not Tariffs Coalition,' asked Trump for reciprocal, tariff-free trade for U.S. and European Union spirits and wines. The group estimates that the 15% tariff on EU wine and spirits could result in more than 25,000 American job losses and nearly $2 billion in lost sales. 'Many U.S. and EU spirits are recognized as 'distinctive products' and can only be made in their designated countries—Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey in the U.S., and Cognac in France,' the group wrote. 'Similarly, wine is linked to its place of origin through American Viticultural Areas, appellations of origin or geographical indications. Consequently, production of these products cannot simply be relocated to circumvent tariffs.' Switzerland says three-fifths of its US exports will face Trump's steep 39% tariffs Roughly three-fifths of Swiss exports to the U.S. will face steep 39% tariffs that took effect on Thursday, according to Switzerland's government — with exceptions granted for key industries like pharmaceuticals, gold and chemicals. Authorities responded to the whopping customs duties by laying out some workplace protections to impacted employees in Switzerland and vowing to continue talks. After returning from Washington in a failed last-ditch effort to get the administration to back off the high tariff levels, President Karin Keller-Sutter lamented an 'extremely difficult situation' for the most affected sectors and their employees. In a briefing with reporters on Thursday, she said Switzerland wanted a 'regulated relationship' with the U.S., which she called a crucial trading partner, 'but not at any price.' She said that any final decision would rest with Trump. Vice President Guy Parmelin added that the hardest-hit sectors would be watchmaking, machinery, medical equipment, as well as food and drinks like coffee, chocolate, cheese and energy drinks. 'The tariffs against our country put us in an unfavorable position compared to our main economic rivals, like the United Kingdom which is at 10% and Japan and the European Union which are at 15%,' he said. Stocks rise even as Trump's latest tariffs kick in Stocks are rising on Wall Street Thursday, even as Trump's latest tariffs kicked into effect on dozens of countries. The S&P 500 was 0.5% higher in early trading and sitting just a bit below its record, which was set late last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 254 points, as of 9:31 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.8% higher. Worries are still high that Trump's tariffs are damaging the economy, particularly after last week's worse-than-expected report on the job market. But hopes for coming cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve and a torrent of stronger-than-expected profit reports have been overshadowing the concerns on Wall Street, at least for now. 'No hire/no fire' trend persists in the US labor market The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose modestly last week, a sign that employers still retaining workers despite economic uncertainty related to U.S. trade policy. Jobless claims for the week ending Aug. 2 rose by 7,000 to 226,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday, slightly more than the 219,000 new applications that economists had forecast. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are seen as a proxy for U.S. layoffs. The latest figure remains at a healthy level — with weekly jobless claims mostly settling in a range between 200,000 and 250,000 in recent years since COVID-19 throttled the economy in the spring of 2020. It was just the second time in eight weeks that jobless benefit applications rose. Still, while layoffs remain low by historical standards, there has been noticeable deterioration in the labor market this year. The report is the first government labor market data release since Friday's grim July jobs report sent financial markets spiraling downward, spurring Trump to fire the head of the agency that tallies the monthly jobs numbers. 'The 'no hire/no fire' theme in the labor market remains firmly intact,' analysts for Jeffries wrote in a note to clients. Tariff rate confusion in Japan Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters that his country is asking the U.S. government to immediately correct tariffs that are not consistent with their agreement that says no additional tariff is added to items whose tariffs exceed 15%, and that tariffs for other items will be capped at 15%. Ishiba said Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, double-checked details of the agreement between Japan and the U.S. and that the negotiator is now asking the Americans to take immediate steps to correct discrepancies in the presidential order. Ishiba's comments come after conflicting messages from top officials. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said earlier there was no discrepancy between Japan and the U.S. about the understanding of the new tariff deal. But later, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's policy affairs chief said the 15% tariff is added on top of existing rates. China's exports and imports picked up in July, helped by tariff pause China's exports surged 7.2% in July from a year earlier while its imports grew at the fastest pace in a year, as businesses rushed to take advantage of a truce in Trump's trade war with Beijing. But analysts said the improvement also reflected a low base for comparison in July 2024. And exports to the United States sank nearly 22% year-on-year, while imports from America fell almost 19%. Meanwhile, exports to Africa and Southeast Asia surged at double-digit rates as Chinese businesses diverted sales to other markets. Tariffs on Chinese goods are being considered separately from the new higher tariffs that took effect on Thursday for dozens of U.S. trading partners. U.S. imports from China are subject to tariffs of at least 30%, with some products facing much higher import duties. The two sides traded a series of sky-high levies earlier this year, but agreed to pause those to allow time for trade talks. It's unclear if the truce will be extended beyond the current Aug. 12 deadline. South Africa's leader says he spoke with Trump South Africa's leader said he spoke with Trump as some African nations hope they can still negotiate tariff rates that threaten to increase unemployment in countries already struggling with high rates of joblessness. President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said he and Trump spoke Wednesday ahead of steep 30% tariffs coming into effect on some South African exports to the U.S. on Thursday. The statement said the two leaders 'undertook to continue with further engagements.' South Africa has said it believes it can still negotiate with the U.S., even after Trump has been especially critical of the country. The Trump administration said it has stopped aid and assistance to Africa's most diverse economy over what it calls its anti-white and anti-American policies. South African neighbors Botswana and Lesotho have also said they still hope to negotiate better tariff rates. Lesotho, a tiny mountainous country, was threatened with a huge 50% tariff rate before it was reduced to 15%. It says that is still high enough to threaten thousands of jobs and businesses in its crucial clothing sector, which makes and exports well-known brands like Levi's and others to the American market. Swiss tech firms condemn 'horror scenario' A leading association of tech companies in Switzerland is decrying a 'horror scenario' from 39% U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods that took effect Thursday, lamenting how a 'strong commitment' from the Swiss government failed to get the Trump administration to back off. The association, Swissmem, says tens of thousands of jobs in the wealthy Alpine country are at risk from such high tariffs and the knock-on effect could impact the tourism, healthcare and infrastructure sectors. 'If this horrendous tariff burden persists, the Swiss tech industry's export business to the U.S. will effectively be dead — especially given the significantly lower tariffs for competitors from the EU and Japan,' Swissmem said in a statement Thursday. That alluded to 15% tariff rates that the U.S. has set on goods from the European Union and Japan, which would put Swiss tech products at a price disadvantage in the United States. Swissmem President Martin Hirzel called on the Swiss government to continue to reach out to the U.S. administration, 'because the winds in Washington can change at any time.' South Korea braces for uncertainty despite deal with U.S. South Korea's trade minister warned Thursday of continued trade uncertainty despite a last-minute tariff deal with the Trump administration, calling for swift support for vulnerable sectors and long-term efforts to diversify trade networks and enhance the competitiveness of key industries. During a meeting with business leaders and trade experts, Hankoo Yeo said South Korea must reset its trade strategy to address the global rise in protectionism, which he called the 'new normal,' as participants discussed follow-up measures to last week's trade deal with the United States, his ministry said. Under the deal, Washington agreed to cut its reciprocal tariff on South Korea to 15% from the initially proposed 25% and to apply the same reduced rate to South Korean cars, the country's top export to the United States. South Korea also agreed to purchase $100 billion in U.S. energy resources and commit $350 billion to U.S. investments, though the two countries have offered differing interpretations of how the investment fund would be structured and managed. In a separate radio interview, Yeo insisted that South Korea's major chipmakers — Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix — would be unaffected by the 100% tariffs that Trump has vowed to eventually impose on semiconductor imports. Yeo said Washington, under the recent tariff deal, agreed to designate Seoul as one of its most favored trade partners, shielding it from such rates. Swiss officials meet to tackle high tariffs The Swiss executive branch, the Federal Council, was expected to hold an extraordinary meeting Thursday afternoon after President Karin Keller-Sutter and other top Swiss officials returned from a hastily arranged trip to Washington, which initially appeared to produce few results, in a bid to avert steep 39% U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods. On her X account, Keller-Sutter posted photos of meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — with whom her team discussed tariffs and other issues — as well as with American and Swiss business leaders. Despite Keller-Sutter's diplomatic push, the United States as of Thursday went ahead with the 39% rate, her office said. Toyota profit takes a dive Toyota's profit plunged 37% in the April-June quarter, the company said Thursday, cutting its full year earnings forecasts largely because of Trump's tariffs. The Japanese automaker said it based its report on the assumption that Trump's tariffs on exports from Japan, including autos, would be 12.5% starting this month. As of now they stand at 15%. Toyota said the tariffs cost its quarterly operating profit 450 billion yen ($3 billion). Cost reduction efforts and the negative impact of an unfavorable exchange rate also hurt its bottom line. 'Despite a challenging external environment, we have continued to make comprehensive investments, as well as improvements such as increased unit sales, cost reductions and expanded value chain profits,' Toyota said in a statement that outlined its efforts to minimize the impact of the tariffs. Analysts say Toyota is likely among the worst hit by the tariffs among global companies, even compared with other Japanese automakers. Tariffs to affect more than half of Indian exports to the US A top body of Indian exporters said Thursday that the latest U.S. tariffs will impact nearly 55% of the country's outbound shipments to America and lead to exporters losing long-standing clients. 'Absorbing this sudden cost escalation is simply not viable. Margins are already thin,' S.C. Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, said in a statement. The tariffs effectively impose a cost burden, placing Indian exporters at a competitive disadvantage with countries that have lesser import taxes, he added. In 2024, the U.S. ran a $45.8 billion trade deficit in goods with India, meaning America imported more from India than it exported, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. American consumers and businesses buy pharmaceutical drugs, precious stones, and textiles and apparel from India, among other goods. Modi vows to defend farmers' interests Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India will never compromise the interests of farmers. 'For us, the interests of farmers are a top priority. I know I will have to personally pay a heavy price for it, but I am ready,' Modi said at a conference in what was seen as a message to the U.S. administration, which has been seeking greater access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors. India and the U.S. have had five rounds of negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, but haven't been able to clinch one so far. On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil. The order would go into effect in 21 days and bring the combined tariffs imposed on India to 50%. Sony profits are up Japanese entertainment and electronics company Sony said Thursday its profit surged 23% in the last quarter from the year before, as damage from Trump's tariffs was less than it had expected. Sony raised its forecast for its profit in the full fiscal year until March 2026 to 970 billion yen ($6.6 billion), from an earlier forecast of 930 billion yen ($6.3 billion). The revised projection is still lower than what it earned in the previous fiscal year at 1 trillion yen.
