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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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Israel Agrees to Gaza Ceasefire Framework: Now Awaiting Hamas’ Decision

 


In a significant development, Israel has essentially endorsed a framework for a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The ball is now in Hamas’ court as they must decide whether to agree to it. A senior U.S. administration official revealed this information on Saturday, just a day before talks are scheduled to resume in Egypt.

The proposed framework includes a six-week ceasefire, which could provide much-needed relief to the conflict-weary region. Additionally, Hamas would be required to release hostages considered vulnerable, including the sick, wounded, elderly, and women. The Israelis have “more or less accepted” this proposal, according to the official. However, the final decision rests with Hamas, and efforts are ongoing to encourage their cooperation.

International mediators have been working tirelessly to broker this deal before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (around March 10). If successful, the agreement would allow aid to reach hundreds of thousands of desperate Palestinians in northern Gaza. These individuals are currently under the threat of famine due to the ongoing conflict.

In response to the dire situation, U.S. military planes have initiated airdrops of thousands of meals into Gaza. Jordan and Egypt have also conducted similar airdrops. However, aid groups emphasize that airdrops should be a last resort. Instead, they advocate for the opening of other crossings into Gaza and the removal of obstacles at the few existing ones.

The European Union’s diplomatic service has expressed concern over the chaos surrounding an aid convoy in Gaza. Many of the hundreds of Palestinians killed or wounded during the incident were hit by Israeli army fire. The EU calls for an international investigation, attributing the crisis to "restrictions imposed by the Israeli army and obstructions by violent extremists to the supply of humanitarian aid".

As the talks continue, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a breakthrough that will alleviate the suffering of those caught in the crossfire.


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