Business
Trump raises Canada trade tariff to 35%
BBC News, New York
BBC News, Washington DC
EPAUS President Donald Trump has raised the tariff on Canada to 35%, escalating a trade war with one of Washington’s key economic partners.
Trump said Canada had “failed to cooperate” in curbing the flow of fentanyl and other drugs across the US border, something Prime Minister Mark Carney insisted earlier this month his country was making “vital progress” towards.
But most goods from Canada will dodge the high rate imposed by the US, thanks to the existing trade treaty called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), according to the Royal Bank of Canada.
The president also announced sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries, as he continued his drive to remake how global trade operates.
Nearly 90% of Canadian goods imported into the US are exempted under the free trade deal, including fresh produce, energy exports and many industrial goods, RBC said.
However, some imports like dairy products, wood and leather may still face tariffs depending on how talks shape up.
The decision, contained in an executive order, increases the rate from 25% and came into effect at 00:01 US East Coast time (05:01 BST) on Friday.
As the clock ticked towards Trump’s Friday deadline to strike trade deals, he announced goods from Mexico would be charged at current rates for another 90 days, avoiding a threatened increase to 35%.
However senior White House officials said their Canadian counterparts were less constructive in negotiations than Mexico, prompting the 35% tariff on Ottawa.
Other countries affected by the so-called “reciprocal” tariffs will have seven days before they kick in.
Goods that are loaded onto ships by 7 August and those that are already in transit will also not be affected by the rates if they reach the US before 5 October.
Published by the White House, the orders leave most goods coming into the US facing new taxes of between 10% and 50%.
Few nations have been spared in the latest list of tariff rates. Even small economies like Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea in the Asia-Pacific region were issued 15% duties.
Countries not mentioned on the list face baseline duties of 10%.
The tariffs, which are a tax on imports, hit Asian countries hard.
Two major trading partners in the region – India and Taiwan – were hit with levies of 25% and 20% respectively.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said the levy was only “temporary”, vowing to complete talks with Washington for a deal.
And land-locked South East Asian nation Laos is facing the second-highest rate in this round of tariffs. At 40% it sits just behind Syria’s unenviable 41%.
A day earlier, Trump reached a deal with South Korea, imposing a 15% tariff on its imports in return for investment in the US and other concessions.
Economists and financial analysts have warned that the new levies will raise prices for businesses and consumers in the US and weigh on the economy, predictions that the Trump administration has dismissed.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that Trump was “proving the so-called economic experts wrong at every turn”.
“What we are watching is President Trump rebuilding the greatest economy in the history of the world,” she said.
Follow BBC’s coverage of US tariffs
Getty ImagesThe escalation of the tariffs had been telegraphed for months, starting when Trump unveiled sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs in April, saying they would rebalance global trade flows and reduce America’s trade deficit – the gap between what it buys and sells abroad.
The measures added to separate levies targeting key sectors such as steel, aluminium and cars.
After turmoil in financial markets, he suspended some of the most punishing measures, inviting countries to negotiate, while leaving in place a 10% duty on most products.
More than 200 countries reached out to the White House in the months following, according to Trump administration officials, though some struggled to get attention.
Trump officials ultimately reached rough “framework” agreements with eight trade partners, including the UK, China, Japan and European Union, which set tariff rates in exchange for promises of investment in the US or other concessions.
But key aspects of those agreements remain unresolved. Talks with other countries, such as India ended without terms. Trump has said India will face a 25% levy on its goods, plus an unspecified “penalty” for its dealings with Russia.
Up until nearly the last moment, many countries were still waiting word on what new tariff rates the administration had settled on.
In a post on social media, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said she had a last-minute phone call with Trump, which ended without an accord.
“The trade deficit remains a central concern of his,” she wrote. Switzerland ended up with a 39% tariff.
Keep up to Date with Latin American VC, Startups News
At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining work, ISDI, Spain’s digital business school, and Microsoft have formed an alliance to incorporate the real-world use of generative AI into executive training.
According to Microsoft’s Workplace Trends Report, 50% of executives in countries like Spain believe that training their teams in the use of AI will be key in the next five years.
For this reason, ISDI says it is seeking to connect theory and practice in an academic environment that adapts to the challenges of digital transformation.
Microsoft, for its part, brings its technological expertise so that artificial intelligence becomes a tangible, competitive resource for MBA grads.
“We want to train complete professionals, capable of leading business transformation in a context marked by AI,” said Basola Vallés, Executive Director of ISDI, through a press release.
The business school has faculty and alumni from around the world, including Latin America, and has an international campus in Mexico.
Creating AI Agents
The module, titled Crea tu Agente IA (Create your AI Agent), unfolds over five milestones in the master’s degree: from agent activation in Microsoft’s Copilot Studio, to application in real projects, simulation of strategic scenarios and career development.
Upon completion, each participant will have a trained and operational AI agent ready to accompany the student beyond the classroom. This practical approach contrasts with theory-focused programs by integrating AI into the day-to-day work life.
With this initiative, the Executive MBA in Business and Technology (MIB) is positioned as the first Executive MBA in Spain to structurally integrate business, technology, artificial intelligence and human development, according to the university.
Paco Salcedo, president of Microsoft Spain, added: “Our technology is designed for students to turn AI into a real advantage for their organizations”.
The proposal is reinforced with a project linked to business challenges and with an employability component.
A study by LinkedIn and Microsoft reveals that professionals who mention AI in their profiles are 17% more likely to be considered in selection processes.
The impact of the program has already been recognized by several media, which places it amongst the most influential executive master’s programs in Spain.
MIB graduates record an average salary increase of 38% in the year after graduation and 70% job mobility, according to figures shared with Contxto that reflect how the combination of business, technology and now generative AI can transform a career path.
According to a report published by Intel and analyst firm IDC, just 14% of Latin American companies have adopted AI agents in their work processes, putting the region in need of adapting to today’s challenges.
This trend of MBA programs that prioritize the use of generative AI could help to motivate future business leaders in the region and will hopefully boost the adoption figures of this technology in the coming years.
Keep up to Date with Latin American VC, Startups News
Fulcrum (www.fulcrumapp.com) field-focused process and data collection platform for geospatial field processes and data collection recently launched Audio FastFill, a voice-powered, multi-field AI data collection tool.
It integrates advanced AI within the platform to create a textual scribe for field teams, eliminating inefficiencies of manual entry, and allows users in the field to dictate forms naturally and produce richer more actionable data input, with the system understanding and accurately populating fields.
Fulcrum dynamically understands context to populate complex fields like picklists and conditional logic, eliminating inefficiencies of manual entry and simplifying workflow, helping ensure ease of use in demanding environments. It can also dissect one continuous audio file to place all of the information into the correct corresponding fields and input to fields that aren’t text, like numbers or drop-down lists.
Pricing: structure not actual cost, free demo, free trial.
AIPhone
AIPhone (www.aiphone.ai) is a cross language calling app utilizing AI translation. It translates phone calls in real time—speak in your language and the other party hears it in theirs instantly and vice versa. How it works: you invite anyone via a simple link—no extra app needed for them.
The app, which supports several dozen languages and dialects, is trained to both translate words and understand the context behind them. In addition, it also supports camera translation—snap a photo or select a saved image (e.g. a sign) and get instant translation. It also translates video and voice calls in WhatsApp and other apps.
Pricing: weekly, monthly, annual plans available with free trial package available through X, TikTok, and Facebook.
ServiceMonster
ServiceMonster management software (www.servicemonster.com, 888/901-3300, covered in September 2022 column) recently introduced the ServiceMonster Payments mobile app, which features capabilities that facilitate both immediate branded invoicing that can be sent by email or text and collection of payments via credit cards, debit cards, and ACH. Suitable for solo operators and multi-crew service businesses, it has the ability to automate reminders and follow-ups. You can store cards on file securely for repeat customers or recurring billing.
ServiceMonster Payments includes built-in surcharging, allowing you to legally pass along credit card processing fees to your customers where permitted by law. Surcharging is automatically configured during setup based on your location. Most credit card and debit card transactions are deposited into your bank account in as little as two business days. The solution Payments offers an integration with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. A demo is available.
Plannit
Plannit (www.plannit.io), covered in August 2021 column, recently added a smart call answering system designed to function as a virtual assistant, handling calls when team members are unavailable. The system, which is available 24/7 and has multi-language support, features intelligent call routing, utilizing advanced algorithms to direct calls to appropriate departments or personnel based on predefined criteria.
Users can customize menu options and the software, which can take messages, can be programmed to answer FAQs. It can also qualify and prioritize prospective customers by asking questions and recording their answers and saving them in the messaging center as audio files. The service requires a new phone number acquired by Plannit, but calls to existing business numbers can be redirected for message taking when needed.
Gorilla Desk
Update: Gorilla Desk (www.Gorilladesk.com), initially covered in January 2025 tech column, has several new AI Agents to its platform (both desktop and mobile app) which are designed to heighten proficiency of field service management and handle customer interactions across multiple channels, including SMS, Web Chat, VOIP phone, and client portals.
The new capabilities, available on the customer portal and by text message, enable customers to book services 24/7, with the solution streamlining and automating the entire process, from inquiry to booking and confirmation, as well as route planning and optimization.
How it works: you embed your AI agent options directly on your web site and, as desired, your customer initiates the process by making contact with your embedded company AI receptionist through one of those portals, facilitating making, logging, and finding all calls without jumping among apps; the Client Portal Agent enables customers to request new work securely and view previous documents anytime. Gorilla Desk will notify you via in-app and email alerts whenever a new work request is submitted.
There are two types of AI conversations: static and dynamic. Static conversations provide general Q&As with informational responses. Dynamic conversations involve the system taking actions, such as capturing new lead info or scheduling a pending booking. (Pricing: $1.00 per completed static conversation, $1.75 per completed dynamic conversation.)
Gorilla Desk also has four new agents in the works: Kong AI (Supreme Intelligence), acting as the central intelligence, which will provide advanced analytics and generate custom reports; Mantis AI (Ops & Admin), which will automate the role of administrator and help run day-to-day operational workflows flawlessly; Atrax AI, which will help you deploy your website, aiding in page generation and optimization; Lotus AI (Customer Sentiment), which focuses on delivering analysis of customer standpoint so you know what conversations need real human attention; and SMS & Customer Portal Agents, enabling 24/7 handling of incoming customer SMS messages their conversations with your AI.
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