Trade War

In March 2025, Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau. Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, entered politics with a reputation for economic expertise. His leadership of the Liberal Party began with a decisive victory in the party’s leadership race, where he secured over 85% of the vote. Shortly thereafter, he called a federal election, leading the Liberals to a fourth consecutive term in government, albeit with a minority in the House of Commons.

The RAND study Construction Apprenticeships Will Fail to Meet Projected Needs, Exacerbating Housing Crisis describes a significant mismatch between the United States’ booming construction demand and its available workforce. After the COVID-19 pandemic, construction spending surged, fueled by delayed residential projects, rising housing demand, and major federal legislation such as the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act.

In recent years, national leaders have turned to import duties to protect domestic producers from foreign competition. That approach gained prominence when major economies, notably the United States and China, imposed higher tariffs on steel, aluminum and a broad array of industrial inputs. The dispute spread beyond raw materials to finished goods such as electronics, automobiles and agricultural products. As barriers rose, businesses confronted uncertainty about costs and market access, prompting governments to negotiate with trading partners or threaten further measures.

Catastrophic disclosure refers to the release of information that could lead to widespread social, political, economic, or psychological upheaval. This concept is often discussed in the context of government secrets, extraterrestrial life, global security threats, and suppressed scientific discoveries. The idea is that some revelations could disrupt the foundation of societal stability, leading to unpredictable and potentially destructive consequences.