Category: English

US tariffs: until the end, no certainty. The situation in Canada and Europe

TORONTO – Like on a seesaw, until the very end: while there are just a few hours left until the (announced and presumed) entry into force of the American tariffs, the “oscillation” continues. Today, close to the eve of the deadline set for the new tariffs (which would be the day after tomorrow, March 4), Howard Lutnick – Secretary of Commerce of the President of the United States, Donald Trump – stated that there could be changes to the original 25% plan. 

Tariffs and Annexation

TORONTO – This year started rather badly for Canada. With the newly-elected US President having taken oath on January 20, 2025, he immediately looked at the tariffs on Canada and Mexico and told the Canadian government to look into its undocumented people crossing the border to the US and at the same time, curb its flow of fentanyl into the US. These, Canada worked on. And showed the US that they can be done. 

Do Sanctions Work?

TORONTO – I was already around when the Cuban Missile Crisis happened in October 1962. Both US President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Krushchev kept the world at its toes, fearing a nuclear war. This didn’t happen though. What happened was a full scale economic sanction against Cuba by the US which stands till now. So, to the question “Do Sanctions Work?”, my reply would be, not for Cuba. This small country which is a mere 90 miles from Key West, Florida, has dug in for 63 years now and has managed to survive without trading with the US. 

Rome’s Old Cinemas Under Threat

TORONTO – The impact or significance of cultural spaces is usually only contemplated when such outlets become scarce or inaccessible. To those who work in creative industries or ply their trade in the arts, the impact is obvious. But whether or not you believe that various art houses like movie theatres, music halls or art galleries for example are vital to the socio-economic heartbeat of a city, cultural spaces have been a mainstay since complex civilization began.