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The CUSMA Countdown: 24 Days to a Trade Deadline That Could Hit Your Wallet

Canada's free trade deal with the U.S. hits a mandatory review milestone on July 1. With negotiations unresolved and Washington demanding changes, here's what it actually means for your groceries, your car, and your job. MoneySavings.ca Staff Canadian Money Brief June 7, 2026 5 min read What Is CUSMA and Why Does July 1 Matter? CUSMA — the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement — is the trade deal that keeps the North American economy humming. It replaced NAFTA in 2020 and governs the movement of trillions of dollars in goods and services across the Canada-U.S. border every year. For Canadian consumers, it's largely invisible — until it isn't. Built into the agreement is a mandatory six-year joint review, and that clock expires on July 1, 2026 . By that date, all three countries must declare whether they want to renew the deal for another 16 years, trigger annual reviews, or walk away. Whatever they decide, CUSMA technically stays in force until 2036 — but the path chose...
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U.S. Treasury Secretary Warns of Approaching Debt Ceiling Crisis


Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has issued a stark warning that the United States could hit its debt ceiling as early as mid-January. In a letter to congressional leaders, Yellen stated that her agency would need to begin taking "extraordinary measures" to prevent the nation from breaching the debt limit. These measures are special accounting maneuvers intended to keep the government operating without defaulting on its obligations.

Yellen emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging Congress to act swiftly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States. The debt ceiling, which had been suspended until January 1, 2025, is expected to be reinstated on January 2, 2025. However, due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments, the Treasury does not expect to need to take extraordinary measures until January 14 to January 23.

The federal debt currently stands at approximately $36 trillion, a figure that has grown significantly over the years under both Republican and Democratic administrations. The spike in inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased government borrowing costs, making the situation even more critical.

Yellen's warning comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill last week that averted a government shutdown but did not address the debt ceiling issue. The bill was passed only after intense debate among Republicans over how to handle President-elect Donald Trump's demand to raise or suspend the debt limit.

As the new year approaches, the nation's fiscal health hangs in the balance, with lawmakers facing a critical decision on how to address the impending debt ceiling crisis.




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