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Today in History: August 6, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Wed, 08/06/2025 - 01:00

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 6, the 218th day of 2025. There are 147 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On August 6, 1945, during World War II, the U.S. B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths.

Also on this date:

In 1806, Emperor Francis II abdicated, marking the end of the Holy Roman Empire after nearly a thousand years.

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In 1825, Upper Peru became the autonomous republic of Bolivia.

In 1890, at Auburn Prison in Auburn, New York, William Kemmler became the first person to be executed via the electric chair.

In 1926, Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

In 1942, Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands became the first reigning queen to address a joint session of Congress, telling lawmakers that despite Nazi occupation, her people’s motto remained, “No surrender.”

In 1962, Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom after 300 years of British rule.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.

In 1991, the World Wide Web made its public debut as a means of accessing webpages over the Internet.

In 2011, insurgents shot down a U.S. military helicopter during fighting in eastern Afghanistan, killing 30 Americans, most of them belonging to the same elite Navy commando unit that had killed Osama bin Laden; seven Afghan commandos also died.

Today’s Birthdays:
  • Actor-director Peter Bonerz is 87.
  • Actor Dorian Harewood is 75.
  • Actor Leland Orser is 65.
  • Actor Michelle Yeoh is 63.
  • Basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson is 60.
  • Movie writer-director M. Night Shyamalan (SHAH’-mah-lahn) is 55.
  • Singer Geri Halliwell Horner is 53.
  • Actor Vera Farmiga is 52.
  • Actor Soleil (soh-LAY’) Moon Frye is 49.
  • Actor Leslie Odom Jr. is 44.
  • Soccer coach and former player Robin van Persie is 42.

Daily Horoscope for August 06, 2025

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 17:00
General Daily Insight for August 06, 2025

Balancing sensitivity and action could challenge us today. As the grounded Capricorn Moon disagrees with protective Venus and overbearing Jupiter, we may be frustrated when our efforts to get things done step on others’ toes. Once pushy Mars moves into approval-craving Libra at 7:23 pm EDT, we’ll potentially feel entitled to have everyone agree with whatever we did as long as we can prove that the rules are on our side somehow. It doesn’t always work that way — we might just have to deal.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

People could seem to be out to get you today. As combative Mars moves into your 7th House of Relationships, you may perceive aggression coming from others you encounter. In some cases, this might be the truth. On the other hand, it’s not always so simple. All you can control is what you put out into the world. When you step out in a public way, make sure you do it from a secure place — don’t expect everyone else to meet your emotional needs.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Having a fun idea for an adventure can motivate you to get your affairs in order. With energetic Mars bursting into your 6th House of Responsibilities, you’ll be inspired to check tasks off your list — especially if you can see exactly how they stand between you and a trip you want to go on. As a bonus, your efforts will probably make your regular environment feel less cluttered and stressful. Create a logical plan, and then start carrying it out!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Naming what you desire most might be crucial, especially when opportunities to spend money are coming up on your radar. As decisive Mars powers into your 5th House of Pleasure, you’ll be better equipped than usual to sort through things clearly. There’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer to some of the questions you may be facing — perhaps it just comes down to what makes you personally happy. Don’t worry too much about risking regret when you have multiple good options.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Shaping your home environment to satisfy your preferences could seem critical at this time. With assertive Mars charging into your domestic 4th house, you’ll likely have plenty of energy to bring your desires into reality. Still, someone else with a stake in the situation might have concerns about your course of action. Hear them out, no matter how inconvenient it seems — you’re better off not letting any grievances fester. You may be right that you’re not technically doing anything wrong, but feelings matter, too.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your mind may currently be hungry for stimulation. As confident Mars bounds into your 3rd House of Communication, you might be in the mood to strike up conversations with the people around you. You’ll have to decide how much of an emotional risk you want to take. Playing it safe by keeping things light is definitely an option. If you are interested in exploring deeper personal territory, that could be fruitful! Read the room carefully — don’t just pop off out of boredom.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Keeping up with your peers could appear urgent at the moment. You may feel like everyone else is wealthier than you are and able to afford luxuries that are out of your reach. Whether or not this perception is totally in line with reality, it has the capacity to provide useful clues as to what you want for yourself. With passionate Mars powering into your 2nd House of Resources, you’re in an ideal position to pursue your desires. Step forward with confidence.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Making a tough choice could be necessary with little warning. You may be afraid that a course of action you’re emotionally drawn to will drag down the reputation you’ve worked hard to cultivate. However, you’ll probably have to do something to move forward as motivated Mars steps into your sign. Don’t try too hard to sugarcoat your decision or apologize for it. Many people have been in that place themselves at some point, so perhaps they’ll be more understanding than you think.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Keeping a few things to yourself could be wise at this time. No matter how confident you are about your beliefs and eager to share them with others, perhaps you’re not the only one who feels that way regarding their convictions! Thoughtfully consider whether you’re currently in the right emotional place to take on a debate. As determined Mars slides into your private 12th house, you’re potentially better off refining your views on your own for now. Make your stand once you’re good and ready.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Intentionally building your network may be particularly appealing. When individualistic Mars enters your 11th House of Community, you’ll be in a good position to look out for your present interests and identify people who could help you achieve your goals. That being said, if you’re too focused on what you might get from them financially, you’re at risk of driving away potential sponsors. It’s fine for you to want more money, but stay aware of what you can bring to the table.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

You’re currently likely to receive a push that propels you toward a major goal of yours. Receiving encouragement from someone you admire could boost your confidence as the vulnerable Moon in your sign looks to authoritative Jupiter in your relationship sector. You’re probably more capable than you think you are! You can appreciate whatever assistance the other person is able to provide, but don’t let them interfere in a way that makes you uncomfortable or minimizes your contributions. Your judgment matters too.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Broadening your horizons could seem urgent at this time. As bold Mars bursts into your 9th House of Exotic Experiences, you might want to go on a trip or begin a course of study. Perhaps you’ll have to arrange for someone else to handle your regular responsibilities during your great escape. The hard part will potentially be giving up control — you won’t necessarily be able to have things done in exactly the way you usually do them! Decide what’s really important before digging in.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Getting to the heart of a messy matter could presently be a high priority. With incisive Mars entering your mysterious 8th house, the inhibitions that normally keep you from delving into uncomfortable emotional territory might be lower than usual. Remember that others aren’t guaranteed to be in the same frame of mind. You’ll have better luck encouraging them to open up if you can show them you’re not pursuing this subject to score points with some outside audience. Focus on your personal motivations.

4 people die in crash of medical transport plane on Navajo Nation in northern Arizona

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 16:51

By JACQUES BILLEAUD and LISA BAUMANN, Associated Press

A small medical transport plane crashed and caught fire Tuesday on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing four people, the tribe said in a statement.

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A Beechcraft King Air 300 from the CSI Aviation company left Albuquerque, New Mexico, with two pilots and two health care providers, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and CSI Aviation. It crashed in the early afternoon near the airport in Chinle, about 300 miles northeast of Phoenix.

“They were trying to land there and unfortunately something went wrong,” district Police Commander Emmett Yazzie said.

The crew was planning pick up a patient who needed critical care from the federal Indian Health Service hospital in Chinle, said Sharen Sandoval, director of the Navajo Department of Emergency Management. She said the plan was to return to Albuquerque. The patient’s location and condition were not known Tuesday evening.

Smoke and flames rise after a medical transport plane crashed near the airport in Chinle, Ariz., Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Luanne Little via AP)

Tribal authorities began receiving reports at 12:44 p.m. of black smoke at the airport, Sandoval said. The cause of the crash wasn’t known, the tribe said. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating.

CSI Aviation officials “with great sadness” confirmed the deaths in an emailed statement and extended condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the people killed. Their names haven’t been released.

The company is cooperating with the investigation, according to the statement.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a social media post that he was heartbroken to learn of the crash.

“These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation,” he said.

This image released by the Navajo Nation Police Department shows a medical transport plane after it crashed near the airport in Chinle, Ariz., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Navajo Nation Police Department)

Medical transports by air from the Navajo Nation are common because most hospitals are small and do not offer advanced or trauma care. The Chinle airport is one of a handful of airports that the tribe owns and operates on the vast 27,000 square-mile reservation that stretches into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah — the largest land base of any Native American tribe.

In January, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing eight people. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, has said the voice recorder on that plane was not working.

Associated Press journalists Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff, Arizona, contributed to this report.

Krill fishery in Antarctica shut down after record catch triggers unprecedented early closure

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 16:23

By JOSHUA GOODMAN

MIAMI (AP) — Officials have shut down early the remote krill fishery near Antarctica after trawling for the tiny crustacean — a vital food source for whales that also helps fight climate change — exceeded the seasonal catch limit for the first time.

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The unprecedented early closure of the fishery follows a report by The Associated Press last week detailing a record surge in the krill catch after a longstanding conservation framework was allowed to lapse with no plan in place to handle growing pressures in the world’s southernmost fishery.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, or CCAMLR, the international organization that manages the fishery, declined to comment but confirmed the closure earlier this month of the 2024-25 season, which should have extended until December, after fishing hit the 620,000 metric ton limit.

The U.S., Russia, China and two dozen other governments last year failed to approve a new management plan that would have mandated spreading out the area in which krill can be caught and create a California-sized reserve along the environmentally sensitive Antarctic Peninsula.

In the absence of a deal, industrial trawlers were allowed this season to essentially fish anywhere at any time, including in smaller habitats preferred by whales, penguins and seals. In one hot spot, the catch through June 30 was nearly 60% higher than all of last season’s haul, according to an internal CCAMLR report obtained by the AP.

Krill is one of the most abundant marine species in the world, with an estimated biomass of 63 million metric tons. But advances in fishing, climate change and growing demand for krill’s Omega-3 rich oil – for fishmeal, pet food and human dietary supplements — have increased pressure on the krill stocks. In the 2023-24 season, a fleet of 12 trawlers from mostly Norway and China caught 498,350 tons of krill — until now the largest harvest since CCAMLR began collecting catch data in 1973.

Show Caption1 of 6In this photo provided by Sea Shepherd, the krill trawler Long Fa is surrounded by whales near Antarctica on March 24, 2025. (Alice Gregoire/Sea Shepherd via AP) Expand

Underscoring the competition between humans and whales, three humpback whales were found dead or seriously injured last year in the long, cylindrical nets deployed by the vessels to vacuum up the paper-clip sized crustacean.

Krill aren’t just vital to marine ecosystems. Increasingly, researchers are focusing on their role as a bulwark against climate change. One peer-reviewed study found that krill remove from the atmosphere and store in the ocean 20 million tons of carbon annually. That’s the equivalent of taking off the road 5 million cars every year.

This story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Contact AP’s global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/

A bird dropped a fish on power lines and sparked a brush fire in Canada, firefighters say

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 16:17

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — An osprey caught a fish but got tired in the heat and dropped it onto power lines, sparking a brush fire in western Canada — at least that’s what firefighters believe. Or maybe the bird is an aspiring chef.

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“Another suspicion could be that it’s tired of raw fish and wanted to give cooked a try,” the Ashcroft Fire Rescue service said in a tongue-in-cheek social media post about the incident.

The firefighters shared photos of the charred fish on the blackened ground and said the fire took place July 30 about 4 miles south of the British Columbia town of Ashcroft.

They said investigators found that the fish “had been dropped by a local osprey onto hydro lines,” with the resulting embers starting the fire on dry grass below.

The fire occurred about 2 miles west of the closest river, and investigators said they suspect the bird took flight after catching the fish but got tired and dropped the fish because it was large and because the temperatures were high at the time.

The post says firefighters have verified that the “prime suspect sustained no injuries in the incident.”

The incident briefly knocked out the power for Ashcroft, and firefighters and ranchers used about 4,800 gallons of water to put out the blaze.

Toppled Confederate statue in DC to be replaced in line with Trump’s executive order

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 16:06

By ASHRAF KHALIL

WASHINGTON (AP) — A statue of a Confederate general that was toppled by protesters in Washington in 2020 will be restored and replaced this fall, in line with President Donald Trump’s pushback on recent efforts to reframe America’s historical narrative.

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The National Park Service announced Monday that the statue of Albert Pike, a Confederate brigadier general and a revered figure among Freemasons, would resume its previous position in Washington’s Judiciary Square, a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. It was the only outdoor statue of a Confederate military leader in the nation’s capital.

The statue was pulled down with ropes and chains on Juneteenth in 2020 as part of mass protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Confederate statues around the country were toppled by similar protests while several military bases named for Confederate leaders were renamed.

The Pike statue restoration, which is targeted for October, “aligns with federal responsibilities under historic preservation law as well as recent executive orders to beautify the nation’s capital and reinstate pre-existing statues,” the park service said in a statement.

Restoration is part of a larger narrative

In March, Trump issued an executive order entitled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It decried post-Floyd efforts to reinterpret American history, stating, “rather than fostering unity and a deeper understanding of our shared past, the widespread effort to rewrite history deepens societal divides and fosters a sense of national shame.”

The order targeted the Smithsonian network of museums as having “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology.” It also instructed the Interior Department to restore any statue or display that was “removed or changed to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history, inappropriately minimize the value of certain historical events or figures, or include any other improper partisan ideology.”

FILE – A statue of Albert Pike, a brigadier-general in the Confederate Army, stands in Northwest Washington, Aug. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Pike, who died in 1891, is more known for his decades-long stint as a senior leader of the Freemasons than for his Confederate military career. The Masons lobbied Congress for the right to erect the statue on NPS land in 1901 — provided that he be depicted in civilian, not military, garb.

But Pike did lead a regiment for the Confederacy during the Civil War. And as the only outdoor statue of a Confederate leader in Washington, D.C., it had been a source of controversy for decades. Even the brief Park Service page on the statue notes that it has “stirred opposition since it was first planned.”

A long history of demands for its removal

The D.C. Council asked for its removal in 1992. In 2017, Mayor Muriel Bowser struck an agreement with congressional leaders to eventually remove it.

When protesters toppled the statue in 2020 while police officers looked on, Trump — then in his first term — called it “a disgrace to our Country” on social media and called for their immediate arrests.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington’s non-voting delegate in Congress, called the Park Service move “odd and indefensible” in a statement Monday. Norton said she would introduce legislation to remove the statue permanently and place it in a museum.

“I’ve long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts,” she said, “not remain in parks and locations that imply honor.”

Michigan Gov. Whitmer makes another White House visit to meet with Trump

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 15:55

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the toll tariffs are taking on the auto industry and the potential effects of his tax and spending bill on Medicaid.

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It’s the latest in a string of meetings between the Democratic governor and the Republican president after the two frequently clashed during his first term. In his second term, Whitmer has adopted a more diplomatic approach, drawing some backlash from fellow Democrats. But it’s also resulted in multiple wins for Whitmer’s state, including Trump’s approving $50 million in storm relief and awarding a new fighter jet mission for an Air National Guard base in the state.

“I’ve always said that I’ll work with anyone to get things done for Michigan,” Whitmer, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said in a statement Tuesday. “That’s why I’ve continued to go to Washington, D.C., to make sure that Michiganders are front and center when critical decisions are being made.”

The private meeting between Trump and Whitmer — her third trip to the White House this year, in addition to a dinner in February where she sat next to Trump — marks a rare cordial relationship between the president and a leading Democratic figure. A White House official would not confirm the meeting but did stress Trump’s continued focus on Michigan.

In recent weeks, Trump attacked Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, telling him to “go to hell,” while also taking aim at other high-profile Democratic governors who have pushed back on some of his policies, including California’s Gavin Newsom and Illinois’ JB Pritzker, also considered possible 2028 candidates.

Pritzker has aided Texas Democrats in leaving their state for Illinois to block Republicans from their needed quorum to pass a new congressional map backed by Trump. Early Tuesday, Trump called Pritzker “probably the dumbest of all governors” in a television interview.

Trump, however, has taken a different tone with Whitmer. Earlier this year, he said that she is a “very good person” who has done an “excellent job.”

Whitmer has treaded carefully with Trump, criticizing some of his policies rather than the president himself. She issued an executive directive last week to assess the impact of tariffs that she said have led to “massive economic uncertainty” — without mentioning Trump’s name once.

Tuesday’s appearance ended with far less controversy than some of her other encounters with Trump this year. In a trip to the White House in April, she was unexpectedly ushered into the Oval Office, shielding her face with a folder at one point before standing awkwardly nearby as the Republican president signed executive orders and assailed his political opponents during a photo opportunity.

Weeks later, the Democratic governor shared a hug with Trump as he arrived in her home state.

In their White House meeting Tuesday, Whitmer said that she told Trump and “his team about the impact tariffs are having on Michigan’s economy, especially our auto industry.” She also discussed “changes in the Medicaid program, and ongoing recovery efforts following the ice storm in Northern Michigan this year.”

Whitmer also saw Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and chief of staff Susie Wiles while at the White House.

Trump announced last month that he had spoken with Whitmer to inform her that he was appproving $50 million in federal funds for Michigan to support repairs and recovery from a March ice storm. In April, Trump traveled to Michigan to announce a new mission for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which Whitmer has sought for years.

RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 15:38

By AMANDA SEITZ

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary and a longtime vaccine critic, announced in a statement Tuesday that $500 million worth of vaccine development projects, all using mRNA technology, will be halted.

The projects — 22 of them — are being led by some of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna to prevent flu, COVID-19 and H5N1 infections.

The mRNA vaccines are credited with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

Kennedy said in the Tuesday statement that he wants the health department to move away from mRNA vaccines, calling on the department to start “investing in better solutions.” He provided no details on what those technologies might be.

US won’t seek death penalty for Mexican drug lords Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 15:28

By JENNIFER PELTZ

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. prosecutors said Tuesday they won’t seek the death penalty in their cases against Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero, the drug lord charged with orchestrating the 1985 killing of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent.

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Caro Quintero, 72, and Zambada, 75, have pleaded not guilty to an array of drug trafficking charges. The prosecutions are separate, but they similarly target two of Mexico’s most notorious narcos.

It is unclear whether taking the death penalty off the table signals any possibility of a plea deal with either or both men.

Zambada’s lawyer, Frank Perez, said only that the government’s decision “marks an important step toward achieving a fair and just resolution.” Prosecutors said last winter that they were having plea discussions with Zambada’s lawyer.

Prosecutors wouldn’t comment further Tuesday after unveiling their death-penalty decision in brief letters to judges. A request for comment was sent to Caro Quintero’s lawyer.

FILE – This image released by the FBI shows the wanted posted for Rafael Caro Quintero. (FBI via AP, File)

The cases are unfolding in the same Brooklyn federal courthouse where infamous Sinaloa cartel co-founder Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was tried and convicted.

The Sinaloa cartel is Mexico’s oldest criminal group, with various incarnations dating to the 1970s. It is a drug trafficking power player: A former Mexican cabinet member was convicted of taking bribes to help the cartel.

Guzmán and Zambada built it from a regional group into a huge manufacturer and smuggler of cocaine, heroin and other illicit drugs to U.S., authorities say.

While Zambada was seen as the cartel’s strategist and dealmaker, prosecutors have said he also was enmeshed in its violence, at one point ordering the murder of his own nephew.

Zambada avoided capture for years, until he was arrested in Texas last year, after what he has described as a kidnapping in Mexico. One of Guzmán’s sons, Joaquin Guzmán Lopez, was arrested with Zambada and has pleaded not guilty in a Chicago federal court.

Caro Quintero headed the Guadalajara cartel, parts of which later merged into the Sinaloa organization. The White House has called him “one of the most evil cartel bosses in the world.”

Prosecutors say he is responsible for sending tons of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine into the U.S. and had DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena abducted, tortured and killed as revenge for a marijuana plantation raid. The killing was dramatized in the Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico.”

Crucial exemption allows majority of Canadian and Mexican goods to be shipped to US without tariffs

Tue, 08/05/2025 - 14:46

By ROB GILLIES

TORONTO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% last week, but a key exemption for Canada and Mexico shields the vast majority of goods from the punishing duties.

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Goods that comply with the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade pact that Trump negotiated during his first term are excluded from the tariffs.

Here’s a look at Trump’s tariffs on the two countries and their exemptions:

Most Canadian exports reaching the U.S duty free

Canada’s central bank says 100% of energy exports and 95% of other exports are USMCA compliant. The Royal Bank estimated that almost 90% of Canadian exports appear to have accessed the U.S. market duty free in April.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the commitment of the United States to the core of USMCA, reaffirmed again last week, means the U.S. average tariff rate on Canadian goods remains one of its lowest, and over 85% of Canada-U.S. trade continues to be tariff free.

“Canada is better off than any of the trading partners right now because the Americans appear to be relying as a default on USMCA,” said Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association. “That gives them the tough tariff headline but also allows them the access to the stuff they need from us. Because of that we’re in a relative better position.”

Canadian and Mexican companies can claim preferential treatment under the USMCA based on where the products are made.

“The headline news is 35% tariffs but it’s somewhat targeted,” said John Manley, Canada’s former industry minister, finance minister, foreign affairs minister and deputy prime minister.

Manley said Canada is doing okay despite the economic uncertainty.

“There is a lot of resilience I’d say. The Canadian economy has done relatively well, better than most of us expected, and remember that there is no tariffs on any of our energy exports,” he said.

25% tariffs on Mexican goods target a small slice of trade

Trump said last week he would enter into a 90-day negotiating period with Mexico, also one of America’s largest trading partners. The current 25% tariff rates are staying in place, down from the 30% he had threatened earlier.

But that 25% only applies to the fraction of Mexico’s trade with the U.S. that isn’t covered by the USMCA. Shortly after speaking with Trump on Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that within the “new commercial world order,” Mexico was still the best positioned nation because of the free trade agreement.

“What’s within (USMCA) has no tariff, with the exception of what we already know: autos, steel and aluminum; and what is outside the treaty has 25%,” Sheinbaum said.

But Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard pointed out that under the USMCA no tariffs were paid on more than 84% of Mexico’s trade with the United States.

Most imports from Canada and Mexico are still protected by the USMCA, but the deal is up for review next year. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said last month: “I think the president is absolutely going to renegotiate USMCA.”

Preserving the free trade pact will be critical for Canada and Mexico.

“It would be an incredible disruption to lose it especially if you lost it to the levels of tariffs Trump is imposing, 30%, 25% or even 20%. You can absorb a single digit tariff level across the board but you can’t adjust that kind of increase,” Manley said.

More than 75% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S. while more than 80% of Mexico’s exports go there.

Manley said that depending on how the trade war plays out the risk to the USMCA is very high. “Uncertainty in business is the enemy of decision making,” he said.

Charging for access

Carney said in a series of recent agreements with other countries that America is, in effect, charging for access to its economy.

Manley said the investment thesis for Canada is pretty straightforward as Canada is rich in natural resources, has a skilled labor force, is open to immigration and has unfettered access to the U.S. market, the largest economy in the world.

“If that latter point is no longer the case, we’ve still got all the others, but we’ve got to really redevelop the investment thesis for attracting investment to Canada,” Manley said.

Trump has some sector specific tariffs, known as 232 tariffs, that are having an impact. There is a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports and a 25% tariff on auto imports, though there is a carve-out for Canadian and Mexican made cars.

“Despite our advantages, certain major Canadian industries are being severely impacted by U.S. trade actions. These strategic sectors include autos, steel, aluminum, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and of course, softwood lumber,” Carney said Tuesday. “It is clear we cannot count or fully rely on what has been our most valued trading relationship for our prosperity.”

Associated Press writer Fabiola Sánchez in Mexico City contributed to this report.

  
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