U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio helps decipher Trump administration goals
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among the least controversial cabinet appointments made by President Donald Trump. During this turbulent time in geopolitics, the stature of the former Florida senator is rising, according to Newsweek. It’s a high-stakes role, and for countries like Canada, Rubio has become a kind of interlocutor that helps interpret information coming out of the White House.
How U.S.-Canada tariffs could hit New York’s economy
As U.S.-Canada tariff disputes escalate, New York’s economy faces serious risks, with over $42 billion in trade at stake. McGill University professors Preetika Joshi and Vivek Astvansh warn that rising costs on goods like aluminum, barley, and auto parts could lead to inflation, job losses, and disruptions across key industries.
Trump’s tariffs: “Short-term pain, long-term gains?
As President Trump’s latest tariffs send markets into turmoil, McGill Desautels Professor Vivek Astvansh provides insight into the potential long-term impact on trade and investments. Amid uncertainty, experts suggest diversification as the key to stability. Read more on how Canadian markets and investors can navigate this shifting landscape.
Retaliatory tariffs are economically unwise, but politically expedient
With the United States both threatening and imposing tariffs, Canada has responded with counter-tariffs of its own. But could these measures do more harm than good?“Retaliatory tariffs are just a bad decision.
Political tensions between long-time allies fuelled ticket price spike for Canada-USA hockey game
When Canada and the United States faced off in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament, the game held at the Bell Centre was the hottest ticket in Montreal, with some asking prices topping $10,000 a ticket on online ticket selling services. The intense demand was likely driven in part by the political tensions between the long-time allies.
Canadian steel and aluminum producers still heavily reliant on US buyers
During the first Trump administration, the US imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. And though those tariffs were lifted, they’re doing it again. Even though Canadian producers had more than four years to diversify their clientele, they remain heavily reliant on the US market.
President Trump’s trade antics could be a prelude to 2026 USMCA renegotiation
It is not yet clear whether US President Donald Trump will follow through on his threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from Canada—or even what the motivation for that threat really is. Inconsistent messaging could be a deliberate tactic by the US president, Vivek Astvansh told canadianfamilyoffices.com.
Amazon to close Quebec warehouses, affecting 1,700 jobs
Amazon Canada is closing all of its Quebec warehouses, affecting nearly 2,000 employees. The company claims the move is to provide long-term savings to customers and is unrelated to recent unionization efforts. However, industry experts, including McGill University business Professor Vivek Astvansh, suggest the closures are a response to union activities.
Got(oat) milk? Neighbourhood café can’t give it away for free, but they can be transparent about the costs
At Café Origine on Sherbrooke Street, oat milk costs extra—and there’s a reason for that. Non-dairy milk substitutes like oat milk cost more than cow’s milk does. Some large chains like Starbucks have stopped charging extra for milk substitutes, but independent cafes can struggle to absorb the costs.
Montreal retailer Frank and Oak files for creditor protection for second time
In January 2025, the Montreal-based retailer Frank and Oak filed for creditor protection for the second time in recent years. A company statement said it was to protect employees, assets and operations from creditor claims while exploring options to restructure.
Donald Trump’s counterparts learned best practices during his first term
Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel before and also lifted them. And then imposed them again. The on-again, off-again tariff truce cycle has played out in multiple industries, and Canada can expect more incendiary rhetoric on trade in a second Trump term, writes Professor Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation Canada. So how should Canada engage with Trump’s theatrical approach to politics?
First Trump presidency holds lessons for the second
The first presidency of Donald Trump was nothing if not unpredictable, and as Canada prepares for a second go-around, it needs to expect the unexpected. The U.S. president-elect regularly uses exaggerated rhetoric about the country’s trading relationships, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation.
Prospect of new U.S. tariffs creates uncertainty for QC businesses
For Quebec businesses, Donald Trump’s planned tariffs are a source of significant uncertainty. The Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce nervously awaited the results of the U.S. election. With Trump proposing a 10 per cent tariff on all goods entering the United States, many Quebec businesses could be hit hard.
Corporate social responsibility disclosures have benefits, but also come with costs
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures can enhance a company’s public image and contribute to increased sales. However, these benefits may come at a cost.
Automotive safety recalls are usually free – but many owners of older vehicles still don’t participate
Automotive safety recalls are commonplace, and, most of the time, the required changes are performed for free at your local dealership. Yet, many owners of older vehicles don’t bring in their vehicles when there is a recall. Inertia is part of the problem, according to Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh.
