Overview
- Statistics Canada’s flash estimate shows real GDP remained flat in the second quarter even after Trump’s 35% duties on steel, aluminum, autos and copper took full effect.
- The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.75% for a third straight meeting, pointing to “some resilience” under higher trade barriers.
- Export-reliant industries such as manufacturing and transportation contracted in June while service sectors sustained modest growth.
- Ottawa launched targeted programs for tariff-affected workers and sped up defence and infrastructure spending to mitigate trade uncertainty.
- Carve-outs under CUSMA have kept effective U.S. duties near 7%, although dropping those exemptions could shave an additional 1.25% off real GDP by 2027.