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Montreal Manufacturer Explores a Move to the U.S. as Tariff War Escalates

William Attardi on September 18, 2026

A recent survey found four in 10 Canadian manufacturers have either made the move or are considering it. Canada’s retaliatory tariffs were the tipping point for Aeris Protective Packaging Inc. Founder and president Michael Leiberman, a born-and-raised Montrealer, is opening a manufacturing plant south of the border to keep his business alive. The local company’s move highlights a growing exodus of Canadian manufacturers driven across the border by escalating trade crossfire and uncompetitive domestic business costs. As cross-border tariffs continue to hurt small and medium-sized businesses, industry experts warn that Canada’s economy is ill-equipped to sustain a prolonged trade war with its largest partner. Montreal manufacturer explores a move to the U.S. as tariff war escalates – Montreal Gazette

Canada Announces Counter-Tariffs Against the United States

William Attardi on September 9, 2026

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs against the United States’ tariffs on August 22 took effect at 12:01 a.m. today, covering approximately $27.6 billion of U.S.-origin goods at rates of 15%, 25%, or 50%. The measures apply only to goods originating in the United States; U.S. goods already in transit to Canada today are exempt. Among the electrical-related items (see the full listfor specific exclusions and details):

  • Copper wire:multiple refined-copper wire classifications carry a 50% tariff.
  • Aluminum wire:multiple aluminum and aluminum-alloy wire classifications carry a 50% tariff.
  • Aluminum stranded wire and cable that is not electrically insulated, including steel-core conductor, carries a 50% tariff.
  • Other insulated electric conductors rated at 1,000 V or lessunder tariff item 8544.49.00 carry a 25% tariff.
  • LED ceiling and wall luminaires, plus certain other LED luminaires, carry a 50% tariff.

Canada Announces Counter-Tariffs Against the United States – tEDmag

US Imposes Tariffs on $20 Billion of Canadian Products

William Attardi on August 22, 2026

The United States imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products early Saturday, and Canada immediately said it would retaliate after last-ditch negotiations failed to resolve the latest strain in relations between the historic allies. President Donald Trump’s import taxes will hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, including products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. Canada had sought concessions on tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and lumber. The political impact will likely be even bigger than the economic fallout. The countries sold each other $880 billion worth of goods and services last year. US Imposes Tariffs on $20 Billion of Canadian Products | Newsmax.com

The Trump Administration Has Decided Not to Extend USMCA Trade Deal

William Attardi on July 2, 2026

The United States has declined to extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during its mandatory six-year review, launching a 10-year countdown that could ultimately bring an end to the agreement unless the three countries agree to significant revisions. The move, announced Wednesday by the Trump administration, does not immediately terminate the agreement. Instead, it activates the treaty’s “sunset clause,” requiring annual reviews until 2036 unless the United States, Mexico, and Canada reach a consensus on extending the pact for another 16 years. The decision injects fresh uncertainty into one of the world’s largest trading blocs, which governs nearly $2 trillion in annual trade among the three nations. The Trump Administration Has Decided Not to Extend USMCA Trade Deal. Now A Countdown Begins to Change It | IBTimes

EXKA Selects Sollum’s Dynamic LED Grow Light Solution for Enhanced Cannabis Production

William Attardi on January 23, 2025

Sollum Technologies is pleased to announce that EXKA, a leading cannabis producer in Québec, Canada, has chosen Sollum’s cutting-edge dynamic LED grow light solution as part of the expansion of their state-of-the art greenhouse facilities in Mirabel. This partnership marks a significant milestone in EXKA’s production capabilities, with the company increasing its greenhouse footprint by 50%. [News] EXKA Selects Sollum’s Dynamic LED Grow Light Solution for Enhanced Cannabis Production – LEDinside

Here’s a little-known fact about the MLB World Series

First, let me congratulate the Milwaukee Brewers on their first World Series Championship. Well played the entire 2026 season, 103 wins was the best.… My new team in the NL!

The 1903 World Series was the first modern World Series, and the Boston Americans (now the Red Sox) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5 games to 3. Do you believe it………….a team from Boston actually won the first World Series…….  The surprising twist: The World Series wasn’t played at all in 1904! The NY Giants refused to participate because their owner, John T. Brush, considered the championship unnecessary. The Series returned in 1905, when those NY Giants won. So, baseball’s biggest annual event actually skipped its second year! The team from Boston (Americans, then Red Sox) have a World Series record of 9 wins and 4 losses in championship appearances, for a 69.2% championship success rate. Their nine championships came in 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018. Sad fact: The team from Bean Town waited 86 years between championships, from 1918 until its dramatic victory in 2004 over the St. Louis Cardinals (4-0), when the Red Sox ended the famous Curse of the Bambino……just sayin!