Canada drops digital services tax after U.S. threats of ending trade talks

Canada has rescinded a costly tax that threatened to derail U.S. trade talks over the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, President Trump called off all trade talks with Canada after they held steady on their digital services tax, a Canadian duty levied against U.S. tech companies. The move left Canadian leadership scrambling. But late last night, Canada rescinded the tax, saying it was needed to keep communication flowing.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says talks have resumed. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick thanked Canadian officials just this morning, saying the tax would have been a deal breaker.

Related Stories
Secretary Rollins is signaling a possible reopening of the southern border to Mexican feeder cattle as officials work to manage the threat of the New World Screwworm.
Lower shipping costs alone will not restore export competitiveness.
Rising fuel costs will soon increase grain transportation expenses.
The USDA’s upcoming reports will drop on Tuesday afternoon, giving the trade real results on acreage shifts, drought concerns, and ongoing trade tensions, adding uncertainty for U.S. farmers.
South Texas farmers face worsening drought as Mexico falls short on water payments, leaving producers struggling for irrigation under the 1944 treaty.
Expanded access could boost demand for U.S. exports.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Congress has just over a month of working days left for the year. Plan for uneven USDA service until funding is restored, and closely monitor Farm Bill talks, as avoiding Permanent Law before January 1 is the single biggest risk to markets and milk prices.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
Despite tariffs having a less significant impact on exports, corn producers struggle with tariff-related increases on inputs, which complicates their bottom line.
Jack Daniel’s will end its Cow Feeder Program, which served around 100 livestock operations near the distillery, and redirect spent grains to its anaerobic digester.
Prepare for acute UAN risk and a brief urea shock; maintain steady ammonia and phosphate plans, and monitor potash basis on the coasts.