In the news today: Trump's global tariff action expected today, Carney back in Ottawa

President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...

Confusion lingers over Trump's fentanyl tariffs

As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to unveil his so-called "liberation day" plan to hit multiple countries with tariffs, it's still not clear whether a temporary pause on separate economywide duties on Canada will be lifted.

In early March, Trump imposed — then partially paused — 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy, on Canada and Mexico.

When asked about the levies Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she’d let the president speak to the specifics today.

The confusion about those tariffs adds to growing uncertainty about Trumpsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ efforts to upend global trade. 

All eyes on Trump as tariffs dominate election

All eyes are on U.S. President Donald Trump as he prepares to hit multiple countries with "reciprocal" tariffs. 

Liberal Leader Mark Carney is pausing his campaign to take part in meetings in Ottawa ahead of the expected tariffs.

On top of the expected "reciprocal" tariffs, it's not clear whether a temporary pause on separate economywide duties on Canada and Mexico — 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy — will be lifted today.

Trump, who is expected to discuss his reciprocal tariff agenda at the White House around 4 p.m. ET today, said in early March that the pause would last until April 2.

Alaska decree would affirm Canadian sovereignty

America's 49th state is showing support for the country that U.S. President Donald Trump wants to make its 51st.

Republican Rep. Chuck Kopp of Alaska, which shares a border with the Yukon and is separated from the contiguous U.S. by Canada, says the state doesn't support the president's trade war and annexation bid against Canada.

He has proposed a joint resolution in the state legislature that would affirm Canada's sovereignty and recognize the enduring, centuries-old ties between Alaska and Canada.

The resolution passed in the house and was set to be heard again before the senate, with possible amendments at a later date.

The resolution says a copy of it should be sent to several officials, including Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Inquest into 2019 Ottawa bus crash deaths to begin

A coroner's inquest into a 2019 Ottawa bus crash that killed three people is set to begin today. 

The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Judy Booth, Bruce Thomlinson and Anthonia Van Beek.

All three died after a double-decker bus operated by OC Transpo hopped a curb and struck a shelter at the Westboro transit station on Jan. 11, 2019.

Nearly two dozen others were injured in the crash as the shelter's awning carved into the upper level of the bus and crushed a number of seats.

Company launches backup option for mobile outages

When a service outage in July 2022 left millions of Rogers customers in the dark for up to 15 hours, it underscored the importance of being prepared in case of a similar emergency.

For some, that meant having lifelines in place that don't rely on individual cellphone plans, such as alternative ways to call 911, or carrying extra cash on hand in case another blackout shuts down debit machines.

Now, a Waterloo, Ont., company is pitching what it says is another must-have in the event of a future telecom outage: an e-sim card that lives on your device and can connect you to an allotment of spare data.

---

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2025

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.