ACTUAL NEWS: Weekly Recap 🇨🇦 Edition
- Olga Nesterova
- 8 minutes ago
- 7 min read
April 12th, 2025
MOMENTS OF THE WEEK
This week, Prime Minister Carney introduced the Canada Strong Pass
Meanwhile, America is quite quickly becoming "for Americans only" — the number of people traveling from Europe to the U.S. has plummeted by 35%. People are, in fact, scared to visit the United States.
Perhaps this is (one of) the reason(s)...
Today, U.S. President Trump was seen posing next to a statue of himself depicting the assassination attempt on him in Butler, PA.
U.S. Senator for California, Adam Schiff, recorded an important message for Canadians, please take a look. You will not regret it.
Prime Minister Carney finished the week with a straight forward message to Canadians: It’s time to stand up for Canada — and build #CanadaStrong.
In addition, if you're looking for something to brighten your mood, this video comes highly recommended.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
April 9, 1917 – The Canadian Corps attacks German positions on Vimy Ridge in France, a key piece of land held by the Germans since 1914. Six days later, fighting ends with the Canadians victorious despite the loss of 3,600 troops.
April 11, 1713 – Under the Treaty of Utrecht, France recognizes British sovereignty over Hudson Bay, Acadia and Newfoundland. France retains possession of St. Pierre and Miquelon, Ile Royale (Cape Breton) and Ile Saint-Jean (P.E.I.).
2024 – A remarkable total solar eclipse graced parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, marking North America’s second total solar eclipse in just seven years.
April 12–20, 2025 – Passover, also known as Pesach, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
📣 Are you a Canadian business owner?
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Let’s show the world what Canada is made of. 🇨🇦✨
QUICK ACTUAL NEWS
Canada has requested World Trade Organization dispute consultations with the United States over Trump’s decision to impose a 25% duty on Canadian cars and auto parts, the WTO said Monday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about countering U.S. trade actions and strengthening ties with trusted partners. Carney emphasized his plan to fight tariffs on Canadian industries and protect the economy. They also discussed continued support for Ukraine and agreed to stay in close contact.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirms that 25% counter-tariffs on select U.S.-made vehicles indeed have taken effect: “President Trump caused this trade crisis — and Canada is responding with purpose and with force.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about reinforcing Euro-Atlantic security, supporting Ukraine, and enhancing military readiness and defense cooperation. Carney reaffirmed Canada's commitment to NATO and its role in transatlantic security. Both leaders agreed to stay in close contact.
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about U.S. tariffs and the need for deeper Canada-EU economic cooperation. Carney outlined his plan to oppose tariffs on key Canadian industries and support economic growth. They also discussed strengthening defense ties and ongoing support for Ukraine. Both agreed to stay in close contact.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Pete Hoekstra, former ambassador to the Netherlands, as the new ambassador to Canada — a role complicated by Trump’s tariff policies and comments on territorial annexation.
A White House official said Wednesday that U.S. tariffs on "some" goods from Mexico and Canada will remain in place, despite President Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on other tariffs.
The Latest World News
The administration of President Donald Trump granted exemptions from steep reciprocal tariffs on smartphones, computers, and other electronics—primarily imported from China—delivering a significant break to tech companies like Apple that depend on overseas manufacturing.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday for what he described as a deeper understanding of the Ukraine conflict than any other Western leader. “When we speak about eliminating the root causes of any conflict, including the Ukrainian conflict, this is the only way to resolve the problem and establish long-lasting peace—remove the root causes,” Lavrov said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkey.
The Trump administration is drafting an executive order to authorize the stockpiling of deep-sea metals, in a bid to reduce reliance on China’s dominance in battery minerals and rare earth supply chains, the Financial Times reported Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The Trump administration aims to finalize 90 trade deals in 90 days, but the challenges to quickly ending the president’s trade war are already evident. European Union trade chief Maroš Šefčovič is expected to arrive in Washington on Monday for urgent talks over the sweeping tariffs announced on April 2. The EU remains one of America’s largest trading partners, with nearly $1 trillion in two-way trade last year.
Iran and the United States described their talks in Oman on Saturday as “positive” and “constructive,” agreeing to meet again next week as part of ongoing efforts to address Tehran’s expanding nuclear program. President Trump has threatened military action if no agreement is reached.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Sunday that his country needs the United States as an “active” partner in the Indo-Pacific. His remarks came after a recent visit to Washington aimed at strengthening ties with the Trump administration.
Ukraine is working to repair damage caused by a Russian drone strike on the containment structure at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, a government minister said on Saturday.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro may require a fifth surgery related to the 2018 stabbing he suffered while campaigning. Bolsonaro posted on X Saturday that he experienced severe abdominal pain during an event with supporters in northeastern Brazil.
Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been disqualified from upcoming elections, a senior election commission official announced Saturday. The move follows charges of treason brought against the party’s leader, accused of attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
A brutal assault by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Zamzam camp for displaced people near al-Fasher has left hundreds dead or injured, according to the foreign ministry and aid organizations. The attack is being called one of the worst atrocities since the conflict began.
Thousands of Hungarians gathered in central Budapest on Saturday to protest right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s attempt to ban the annual Pride march. Dressed in gray and carrying banners that ironically mocked the restriction of colors and diversity, demonstrators condemned the government's move.
Please find the detailed news summary in the Daily Briefing
Canadian Tourism to U.S. Plummets Amid Trump-Era Tensions and Tariffs
U.S. tourism from Canada is seeing a sharp decline as Canadians react to President Trump’s rhetoric, trade policies, and border security concerns. Tour companies across Canada are canceling U.S. trips, with some reporting drops of up to 90% in bookings. Economic uncertainty, fear of detainment at the border, and political protests are driving the downturn.
The expected 20% drop in Canadian visitors could cost the U.S. $3.4 billion this year, with border regions like New York’s North Country already feeling the impact. Despite reassurances from tourism boards that Canadians are welcome, many remain hesitant, seeing travel as a political stance.
Cities like New York and states like California are actively promoting themselves as inclusive and distinct from national politics, but tour operators believe recovery may not come until after Trump leaves office.
MEMES OF THE WEEK
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Carney pitches Alberta as home base to make Canada an 'energy superpower' | Power & Politics
Poilievre promises improved supports for veterans
Is NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh admitting defeat? | Power & Politics
POSTS OF THE WEEK
NEWS CLIPS - NO COMMENTARY
Experience vs Politics
Canadian PM: Criminals are taking advantage of irresponsible American gun laws and their weak border enforcement to bring illegal guns into Canada.
Rattner: This is the worst economic policy-making I've seen in 50 years.
DJT: Bond market is going good. It had little moment but I solved it. I am very good at that
Art of an umbrella
Witkoff meets Putin in St Petersburg to discuss lifting sanctions against Russia
Former Sec of State Blinken commented on the tariffs and the current state of American “diplomacy”
Kaja Kallas comments on the role China plays in Russia’s war against Ukraine
Zelenskyy: I understand that we are a strong country, but we cannot fight multiple countries at once
Trump grants military control over land along border
ELECTION UPDATE
RECOMMENDED READ
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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