The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/03/06 at 08:00 EST

Episode Date: March 6, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/03/06 at 08:00 EST

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With Canada now in a trade war with the United States, the First Ministers of Open Talks on what could be done to boost trade within our own borders. That includes both goods and labour. Kate McKenna reports. Federal and provincial governments agree this is the time to remove provincial trade barriers and they're ready to move quickly. They issued a statement last night saying, among other things, they want to make it easier

for workers to travel across the country and have their credentials recognized. Here's Alberta Premier Danielle Smith making that commitment. My government will enter into free trade and labour mobility agreements with every province that is willing to do so. The goal is to have no exceptions, just free trade and free movement of Canadian workers right across our province. The statement also says most premiers are ready to remove barriers to alcohol sales, meaning no matter where you are in the country, you could buy wine or beer from any province.

This big push on inter-provincial trade is an effort to make Canada's economy more resilient in the face of these tariffs. The Minister of Internal Trade, Anita Onand, says eliminating trade barriers could add up to $200 billion to the Canadian GDP. This issue has frustrated business leaders for decades. They say it's easier to trade with the U.S. than within Canadian provinces. Kate McKenna, CBC News, Ottawa. The day after the auto industry was granted a one-month tariff reprieve from the Trump

administration, it appears the agriculture sector wants to be next. U.S. farmers are particularly concerned about a spike in the price of Canadian potash, which is used to make fertilizer. Richard Madden has more from Washington. They're concerned tariffs could lead to a supply shortage or price hikes that would drive up food prices. The agriculture secretary says it's being considered, but that wildly contradicts the message from Vice President J.D. Vanceance who said his boss, President Donald Trump, is not interested in specific exemptions

to specific sectors. He doesn't want to have 500 different industries getting 500 different carve-outs and the way to avoid application of the tariffs is to have your factory and have your facility in the United States of America. That is the way. Invest in America. Now, you'll recall Trump paused the upcoming tariffs on all car imports built under the USMCA trade agreement for a month.

This came after he heard concerns from the big three automakers. So while this mixed messaging from the White House is adding more confusion, it does signal this administration is willing to make critical policy decisions on a dime. Some might call it the art of the deal. Richard Madden, CBC News, Washington. HOFFMAN Defense Minister Bill Blair makes an announcement today in a calloweed about the future of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Arctic. The announcement comes as foreign analysts agree it's a critical time for Canada's military

presence across the region. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolie said in a foreign policy statement last year that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made Arctic cooperation with Moscow, quote, exceedingly difficult for the foreseeable future. Australia is bracing for the arrival of tropical cyclone Alfred. It's headed directly toward the Gold Coast, north of Sydney, and is expected to deliver 12 meter waves along with torrential rain and devastating winds.

Phil Mercer has the latest. For some thrill seekers, the large waves that have begun pounding parts of Australia's east coast are a novelty. But the authorities are warning that cyclone Alfred will be incredibly dangerous. Brisbane's Mayor Adrian Schrinner is urging millions of Australians to stay at home. I don't want to see one single person electrocuted. I don't want to see one single person impacted

by flying debris. The best way we can make that happen is for everyone to stay at home for the next two days. The military has been brought in to help as the storm continues its erratic path to the coast, many residents have laid sandbags to protect their homes. We've done everything we can in terms of securing the house and our belongings and everything like that, trying to find a safe place for the cars, but I think we're just going to try and hunker down. Phil Mirsa for CBC News, Sydney.

And that is A World This Hour. For news anytime go to our website cbcnews.ca. For CBC News, I'm Joe Cummings.