Trade talks with the Americans seems to be stalling — but is this all part of Ottawa’s strategy?

As the U.S. slowly moves toward the midterm election, a shift in Congress could increase oversight and affect the political viability of new tariffs. A Democratic majority in the House or Senate would gain subpoena power, especially in investigating the administration’s use of IEEPA.

Progress appears uncertain as talks take a more strained turn, with Ottawa adopting what the source described as a hardline, all-or-nothing approach.

“We’re just saying we wanted to have technical talks,” the source said, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

Behind the scenes, the U.S. officials are increasingly frustrated with Canada’s approach, saying Canada “hasn’t played ball,” according to the source.

“The government has decided to play the clock,” the source said. “[U.S. officials] see right through the strategy.”

Provincial actions such as informal boycotts of American alcohol have been viewed “effective” but also unfriendly, the source said.

This information also comes after U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the White House is pressing for “changes” to Canadian trade practices at a congressional committee on Wednesday.

Sydney Ko has more. 

Keeping with the theme, Ontario Premier Doug Ford also isn’t budging — the LCBO ban on U.S. alcohol is staying corked for now.

Speaking at a Globe and Mail event this Wednesday, Ford said he would reinstate American products at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario “in a heartbeat,” but only once a renewed deal is in place to replace the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement.

Until then, he said, Ontario needs to hold firm.

“You never roll over to a bully. You confront him head on,” Ford said, pointing to U.S. trade actions he says are threatening key Canadian industries, including auto manufacturing, steel, aluminum, lumber and dairy. “One of our tools is alcohol.”

The LCBO, one of the largest alcohol buyers globally, pulled U.S.-made products from its shelves more than a year ago as tensions escalated under U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then, the province has leaned into promoting locally produced alternatives.

The policy has become a sticking point in cross-border trade talks. With the CUSMA up for renewal, American officials are increasingly raising the alcohol ban as a concern.

Queen’s Park reporter Barbara Patrocinio has more. 

Also, Ottawa is getting eight new building projects — well, it’s taking place in Nepean to be precise.

Speaking at a construction site in Nepean’s Geyser Place alongside Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, Carney outlined a series of measures aimed at cutting building costs and speeding up construction.

Sutcliffe said the city has signed a “historic” agreement with the feds through Build Canada Homes to deliver up to 3,000 new homes across Ottawa, with about half priced below market rates.

The measure could bring down the cost of building a two-bedroom apartment by more than $15,000 and an average single-family home by $28,000, Carney said.

The federal government scrapped the GST on homes under $1 million for first-time buyers last month, saving up to $50,000, with Ontario matching the move through HST relief that could bring total savings to Ottawa in $130,000.

“Real money back in the pockets of Canadians,” Carney said.

Sydney Ko has more. 

In Other Headlines

Internationally

Elsewhere, Israel’s killing of a prominent Lebanese journalist in a double-tap strike has been greeted with international outrage as Lebanon’s prime minister described the attack as a “war crime”.

Amal Khalil, 43, who worked for al-Akhbar newspaper, was buried on Thursday. She was killed in what colleagues described as a sustained attack by Israeli forces, with rescuers attempting to dig her out of the rubble of a building also targeted and prevented from providing life-saving assistance.

Her death prompted renewed accusations that Israel has a policy of targeting media workers, despite its repeated denials.

Khalil had previously spoken of receiving a threat via an unidentified Israeli phone number that she would be killed if she did not leave southern Lebanon, where she had long been based.

Khalil’s killing was condemned by senior figures from across Lebanese politics even as they prepared for fresh talks in Washington on Thursday aimed at extending a fraught ceasefire with Israel.

The Guardian has more. 

Meanwhile, the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement is cooling on Trump and Republicans.

On a sweltering night in August 2024, moments before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed then-candidate Donald J. Trump at a packed rally in Arizona, a conservative young wellness podcaster named Alex Clark had a fleeting backstage conversation with the once-and-future president.

“I said, ‘Mr. President, please keep talking about food and pharma; this has a massive impact with undecided female voters,’ ” recalled Ms. Clark, now a leading conservative voice in Mr. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Witnessing the two men join forces, she said, “was the greatest political moment of my life.”

Not quite two years later, the MAHA movement is still a political force. But MAHA leaders warn that many of those who embrace the cause are dispirited and disillusioned — and that when the November elections come around, some may just stay home.

Read more from the New York Times. 

In Other International Headlines

The Kicker

If all this Canada-U.S. tension feels like a lot and you want some pop culture reference instead — here’s the internet’s version of a negotiation meltdown.

Influencer Alix Earle and podcast host Alex Cooper are in the middle of a very public falling out, completed with competing narratives.

Cooper called out Earle over a shady repost and told her to speak up. Earle responded, “Okay on it!!”

And now… the internet is on standby for what’s to come.

Business Insider has more context here.