Your World Tonight - U.S. and China trade war, travel to U.S. down, measles outbreak, and more

Episode Date: April 10, 2025

There is no end to the volatility and uncertainty in Washington. The U.S. president is now pledging new – even higher – tariffs on Chinese goods. He says he’s working to cut deals with other trading partners. At the same time, Donald Trump is being accused of manipulating the stock market.And: Canada now has more measles cases this year than it’s had since the disease was declared eradicated in 1998. Ontario added 155 new measles cases in the past week, pushing Canada to more than 800 infections.Also: Canadians are staying away from the U.S.. Travel across the border has dropped dramatically in the past two months. Anger at the tariffs, and fear of increased scrutiny at the border are two of the reasons people are choosing not to go.Plus: Doctors say "brain drain" to the U.S. could become a Canadian "brain gain", campaign pledges, and more.

When they predict we'll fall, we rise to the challenge. When they say we're not a country, we stand on guard. This land taught us to be brave and caring, to protect our values, to leave no one behind. Canada is on the line, and it's time to vote as though our country depends on it, because like never before, it does. I'm Jonathan Pedneau, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada.

This election, each vote makes a difference. Authorized by the Registeredleader of the Green Party of Canada. This election, each vote makes a difference. Authorized by the registered agent of the Green Party of Canada. This is a CBC podcast. We think we're in very good shape. We think we're doing very well. Again, there'll be a transition cost and transition problems, but in the end, it's gonna be a beautiful thing.

The U.S. ramps up tariffs on China now, according to the White House, at 145%. Of course, there are tariffs on almost every country as well, and those countries are fighting back with counter tariffs, sending stock markets sharply down again. But the man behind the ups and downs, the threats and counter threats, Donald Trump, says everything is working out just fine. Welcome to Your World Tonight.

I'm Susan Ormiston. It's Thursday, April 10th, coming up to 6 o'clock Eastern time. Also on the podcast. And some of these people are now also vulnerable because they're either partially protected or not at all protected. Measles cases continue to rise across Canada and health officials are asking Canadians to ask themselves

if their vaccinations are up to date. up to date. The tidal wave of U.S. tariffs may be on pause for some countries, but global economic anxiety is going strong with people unsure what U.S. President Donald Trump will do next. And so, another steep drop in stock prices today, along with accusations that Trump is deliberately manipulating the markets. Katie Simpson reports from Washington. A grim close to North American markets as Donald Trump's trade war again spooks investors. The gains made yesterday cut by roughly a third after the White House clarified that China, the world's largest exporter, will be hit with an even higher tariff.

We'll see what happens with China. We would love to be able to work a deal. Donald Trump's team failed to account for a 20 percent tariff on China that previously existed, and that's why it was hiked from 125 percent to 145 percent. Beijing reacting furiously refusing to back down from its retaliation plan. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman says the US is using tariffs to choke the throat of other countries, forcing them into compromises and concessions. World leaders have taken note of how the U.S. is pushing back against Chinese retaliation.

We want to negotiate. We want to talk. European Commission spokesman Olaf Gill announcing the EU will pause its planned retaliation for now. They heard about what we did with respect to China and others but China. And they said, you know, we're going to hold back a little bit. They decided to hold back. I thought they were very smart. In addition to all the blowback over his trade war, the U.S. president is facing new scrutiny over his policy changes,

according to Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries. We need to get to the bottom of the possible stock manipulation that is unfolding before the American people. On the morning global tariffs kicked in and the market sell-off continued. Trump wrote a series of short social media posts. At 9 33 a.m. he said be cool. Four minutes later he wrote this is a great time to buy with his initials, DJT, right beside it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is among the Democrats

calling for the president's actions to be investigated. Why did he feel the need to add his initials to this particular post? Was it a signal to his friends and family that he was going to pause the tariffs so they should buy low knowing the market would boom. When Trump announced the partial tariff pause four hours later markets did soar. We had a in history it was the

biggest day in history the markets so we're very very happy with the way the country's running. Trump did not directly address market manipulation allegations. Instead, he broadly defended his tariff strategy, even as he warned Americans that this transition will come with costs and problems. Katie Simpson, CBC News, Washington. On the campaign trail, party leaders are condemning Trump for keeping tariffs on Canada, while granting dozens of other countries a 90-day pause as Trump and his threats still dominate the federal election. Tom Perry reports. We have to address once again yesterday's

historic mistreatment of Canada. Conservative leader Pierre Poliev campaigning in southern Ontario taking aim at US President Donald Trump and his topsy turvy trade war against America's allies. I condemn President Trump for keeping the tariffs on Canada, all while he offered a 90-day pause on tariffs for dozens of other countries. Trump has in fact left in place an across-the the board 10% tariff against most of America's trade partners. Canada and Mexico managed to avoid that, though both still face 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum

and some automobiles. A fact Poliev tried to turn against his main rival, Liberal leader Mark Carney, who polls suggest many voters see as their best choice to take on the US president. We're learning that that is not true. He does not control President Trump. No one does. Mark Carney was also campaigning in Ontario today and also talking tariffs. It was welcome the president's pause on reciprocal tariffs as you know.

Carney says in his role as Prime Minister he spoke today with Ursula von der Leyen the president of the European Commission. The EU has put retaliatory tariffs against the US on hold though Carney says even with Trump's pause Canada needs to keep its lines of communication open. Because there is an interest in deepening our trading relationship with the European Union with the United, with like-minded partners in Asia. And the question is, one of the big questions in this election, is who's going to protect Canadians, but also who's going to represent Canada at those negotiations? Who's going to get the best deals for Canada?

Federal leaders weren't the only ones talking trade today. B.C. Premier David Eby announced new measures to hedge against the uncertainty in the U.S. We got to be prepared and stand on our own two feet. And that's what we're doing. Eby announced he's directing government departments and crown corporations to, wherever possible, cancel contracts with U.S. suppliers,

limit travel to the U.S., and even cancel subscriptions to American publications. It is a way for us to do what people are doing at home right now, supporting BC, supporting Canadians. One more sign of Canadians pulling away from the U.S. as the U.S. president and the chaos he creates casts an inescapable shadow over this country's politics. Tom Perry, CBC News, Ottawa. Coming up, the latest promises and attacks from federal leaders. Also, a spotty record, the number of measles is the highest since the disease was declared

eradicated in Canada. And no surprise maybe, snowbirds, cross-border shoppers, even one-off leisure travel was way down in March. Nearly a third fewer travellers drove to the U.S. and fewer flyers too. We'll unpack why those Canadians didn't pack up to go south later on the podcast. [♪upbeat music playing.♪​ South later on the podcast.

It is day 19 of the federal election campaign, halfway through. The main party leaders were out pitching their promises to voters, housing, crime, health care, all in the spotlight. First, we take you to the Conservative campaign which spent the day in Ontario. The next Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Polyev. I'm Olivia Stavanovic covering the Conservative campaign, making another swing through battleground ridings in southern Ontario. A region with some of the highest housing costs and demands in the country. An ideal place for leader Pierre Poliev to unveil his newest

plank in a plan to address the affordability crisis. Today I am announcing my plan to cut home building taxes by a hundred thousand dollars per home so that Canadians can save money when they buy. Poliev says he will incentivize municipalities to cut those building taxes by reimbursing their coffers for every dollar they offer on development charge relief up to $50,000. Pauliev also wants to require cities and towns to publicly report their development charges. Explain how the federal reimbursement will be used so Canadian municipalities

are accountable. Pauliev plans to combine that with his existing pledge to eliminate the sales tax on new homes under $1.3 million. A pitch he's expected to promote as he heads down Canada's busiest highway to continue his tour in vote-rich southern Ontario. Olivia Stvanovich, CBC News, Milton. I'm Carina Roman covering the liberal campaign. Mark Carney says a re-elected liberal government would make it more difficult for people charged with a violent offense to get bail.

And if they do, courts would have to prohibit them from possessing weapons. A Carney government would also toughen sentencing for repeat offenders of violent car thefts, home invasion, as well as for murder motivated by hate. And that long-promised assault-style firearms buyback program is going to finally get done. We are committed to this and we'll get it done. And if we weren't, I don't think you would see the people behind me or candidly me standing up here either. Those people behind him include Liberal candidate Natalie Provo, who survived the 1989

Polytechnique shooting. She says she believes Carney will follow through. Provo did not have the same confidence in his predecessor. The promises were strong. What was very difficult was to put things into action. Carney is also promising new legislation to protect children from online sexploitation and extortion, raising the maximum sentence for child luring, and recruiting and training 1,000 more RCMP officers. Karina Roman, CBC News, Brampton, Ontario. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Saskatoon targeting the exact same writing as the Liberals.

Singh attacking leader Mark Carney, saying he would make massive cuts including to health care to balance Canada's operational spending budget within three years. Carney firing back saying no he won't cut health care. He's promised to maintain transfers to the provinces but Singh says that is a cut. Bankers speak for maintaining spending is freezing. Freezing is a cut if you talk about health care. If you freeze investments in health care with a aging population, with a growing population, with increased needs and with inflation, if you freeze that is a cut. This battle playing out the night after both campaigns held rallies in Saskatoon West, just a few kilometers from one another. Both parties are trying to break into the province's conservative fortress that they've

been shut out of in the past two federal elections. Seeing trying to build on the momentum the NDP saw provincially in the fall election, where the NDP almost doubled its sea count. Ashley Burke, CBC News, Saskatoon. Elsewhere on the campaign, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet says the federal government should create a Ministry of Borders. It's part of the Bloc's proposal to improve border and immigration controls, which he says have been mismanaged.

We believe that the management of the borders has been left as if it was either not important or not relevant to be done properly. We propose many measures which would benefit every Canadian province and Quebec also because it would be dealt with in an orderly fashion. He says the ministry could take control of the Canada Border Services Agency. The Bloc also says there should be more border agents and a crackdown on smugglers. We can be divided or we can be determined. We can be complacent or we can be strong and free.

I choose strong and free. How about you? Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Ottawa today speaking at the Canada Strong and Free Conference. The annual networking event is an important gathering for Canadian conservatives. This time it's happening in the middle of the federal election campaign. CBC's Kate McKenna is there. Kate, how are people at this conference responding to the campaign so far? Well, it's a mixed bag. This is an event intended for all facets of the conservative movement, including its grassroots. And since this time last year, conservatives have watched their party go

from a 20-point lead in the polls to this being a very tight race. I spoke to people and asked them how they think the campaign is going. Some, like Shannon Boshy, say leader Pierre Poliev has moderated his message too much. He'd like to see the Conservative leader speaking out more aggressively on topics like disallowing trans minors from receiving gender-affirming surgeries. I'm a little disappointed actually. I think that he should be bringing out some bigger guns than he is. There's lots of issues that Canadians are concerned about that aren't getting talked about. I feel like he's fighting a fight against the Liberals rather than truly putting forward his platform.

He also said he'd like to see Poliev go harder on Mark Carney. I've been following Pierre for a number of years. when he was the attack dog or the goon coming from the back benches. I didn't like his style, and I've listened to him a lot more. I appreciate where he's coming from. And I think he needs more of those tactics now. Others were skeptical about the polls,

saying they don't line up with the enthusiasm they're seeing at campaign events across the country. Yeah, Kate, I mean, this is an annual event, but how have they retooled the conference because it's right in the middle of an election campaign? Well, some conservatives have expressed concerns that an event like this risks becoming a political liability for the conservatives, especially because there are

a number of Donald Trump-aligned people who initially appeared on the invite list. And Pierre Polyev's campaign has taken pains to avoid any connection to the U.S. president. And conservative sources say people actually working on the campaign were told not to come. They were told to go knock on doors instead. There are also some last-minute changes to the agenda. One of the key members of Donald Trump's campaign team, Chris Lucidova, was set to speak on cryptocurrency and that whole panel was dropped. A spokesperson for the conference would

not say why that happened and a keynote address tomorrow from Robert Lighthizer, one of the architects of Donald Trump's tariff agenda, will not be open to media. Alright Kate, thanks so much. You're welcome. The CBC's Kate McKenna in Ottawa. Canada is reporting a record number of measles cases, the highest since the disease was declared eradicated decades ago. As Alison Northcott explains, this uptick has sparked renewed vaccination efforts and even travel advisories south of the border. I'm unfortunate to be right in the midst of

measles. I'm in that region where we are having lots of measles. As the head of pediatric infectious diseases at the London Health Science Centre Children's Hospital, Dr. Michelle Barton says in that region where we are having lots of measles. As the head of pediatric infectious diseases at the London Health Science Centre Children's Hospital, Dr. Michelle Barton says she's seeing the impact of measles firsthand. As good doctors, we offer the best treatment that we can under the circumstances. But it is definitely hard to watch

if it is a difficult scenario or if the child proceeds to deterioration. That is hard to watch if it is a difficult scenario or if the child proceeds to, you know, deterioration. That is difficult to watch because you know that you probably wouldn't be here if they have had vaccines. Ontario's measles outbreak continues to grow, with more than 800 cases since January, 150 new cases in the last week alone. I haven't seen numbers like that in my career really. That brings the total number of measles cases across the country to more than 900 since the start of the year, a level not seen since the virus was declared eliminated in Canada

in 1998. Dr. Susie Hoda is division head for infectious diseases at the University Health Network in Toronto. You know we're at a point now where the number of cases are quite large and we can expect that this will go on for a while before it starts to come under control. The growing number of Canadian cases has prompted a travel advisory from health officials in New York State. Hannah Bushman is public health director at Franklin County Public Health in Malone, New York. With New York being so close to Canada the outbreaks right now in Ontario that's a very large one and there are some in Quebec as well. Quebec's outbreak is smaller than Ontario's with about 40 cases since December.

At a vaccine clinic west of Montreal manager Mohamed Alki says they've been reaching out directly to families whose vaccine records aren't up to date. But we help as much as we can in convincing them explaining why it is important. Ontario is also pushing to ensure student vaccinations are up to date. But we help as much as we can in convincing them explaining why it is important. Ontario is also pushing to ensure student vaccinations are up to date, issuing suspensions for those whose aren't or who don't have a valid exemption. In Alberta, cases are climbing too. It's clear that Alberta has joined in with the rest of a lot of other provinces in Canada and now seeing measles in our communities. And Dr. Cora Constantinescu, an infectious disease specialist at Alberta's Children's Hospital in Calgary,

worries it's just the beginning. She says vaccine uptake rates vary in different parts of the province. Some are between 80 to 85 percent in some of the higher uptake communities, but some communities are as low as 50, some even below 50%. Constantinescu says measles can lead to serious, even deadly consequences, including inflammation of the brain and pneumonia.

In the U.S., three people have died from the virus this year, including two school-aged children in Texas. Alison Northcott, CBC News, Montreal. Canada's doctors say a U.S. brain drain could turn into a Canadian brain gain. The American political climate and cuts to health and research programs have medical professionals down there thinking about coming up here. But the Canadian Medical Association says the process needs to be easier. Liam Britton reports. We're going to eliminate an entire alphabet soup of departments and agencies.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says layoffs at his department are about doing more with less. So this will be a painful period for HHS as we downsize from 82,000 full-time employees to around 62,000. Critics say top researchers are among those turfed, and they worry about the U.S. political climate turning against medical science, especially vaccines and women's health. Abortion is a canary in the coal mine. It's a way to other and control half the population.

Prominent OBGYN Dr. Jen Gunter is among those critics. The outspoken advocate and bestselling author, born in Winnipeg, has spent decades practicing in the U.S. But now, she's ready to leave. It's a different day today. But the absolute gutting of health care, you know, it's day after day we're hearing about some new horror. The Canadian Medical Association says many doctors in the U.S. no longer feel valued in Trump's America.

And recruitment groups are seeing a big increase in inquiries from south of the border. Canada's medical systems have grappled with staffing shortages, especially since the pandemic. Health recruiter Katrina Philopoulos says 15 American doctors have come to Nova Scotia in the last fiscal year. Well, I think right now, American board certified physicians are able to establish a full licensure in Nova Scotia. And so that is a key piece. And without having to do additional exams is also something that is very attractive to the US doc. The CMA says patchwork recruitment isn't enough, though. President Dr. Joss Reimer wants a cross government effort. So if we've got the federal government working on the immigration process and the provincial government working with the provincial college to fast track their licensure so that they have that

license and they can work in the province. That's the best way to get folks from the U.S. into Canada quickly so they can contribute to the Canadian health system and help take care of patients who right now are really suffering without access. She calls this a unique opportunity for Canada to become a scientific and medical powerhouse. Liam Britton, CBC News, Vancouver. From snowbirds to no birds, Canadians have traditionally loved escaping the cool temperatures of Canada by heading south. But data from Statistics Canada paints a clear picture.

Political tensions with the US mean Canadians are skipping trips south of the border. As Sophia Harris explains, for many it's a decision driven by fear. From middle of March we haven't sold even one ticket to U.S. Azeen Mohajer isn't surprised. Clients at her Toronto-based travel agency don't want to fly to the U.S. The business serves Canada's Iranian community. Mohajar says many are fearful, following reports of Iranian Canadians being interrogated at the U.S. border, including some of her clients.

In some cases, they have been asked to show their social media account. They feel unwelcome. They feel that being singled out just because the place of birth. Iranian Canadians aren't the only ones staying away. The number of times Canadians visited the US plummeted in March compared to last year, down by 13% for air travel and down by almost one third for land travel. One reason for the decline? Reports of heightened security at the border, including the detainment of two German tourists,

a backpacker from Wales and Canadian Jasmine Mooney, who spent 11 days in detention after her work visa was denied. You're literally stuck in this cell with no daylight, nothing. And people were freaking out. In past administrations, you wouldn't see these cases. U.S. immigration lawyer Len Sonder says he surprised people like Mooney were detained instead of just sent home. It's almost like the pendulum has gone 180 degrees

from low enforcement to just maximum enforcement. Even people heading to conferences are worried. It wouldn't surprise me if there's some profile on me at this point. University of Calgary chemistry professor Jennifer Love rejected an invite to speak at a conference in Honolulu. She has Canadian and American citizenship, but still fears trouble at the border due to her advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion, a concept Trump condemns.

I feel some responsibility to support the conference but I also don't want to put myself in a position of danger, possibly. Arash Abuzadeh, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, also cancelled plans to attend a conference in the U.S. Because he says you never know who might be targeted. We can say to ourselves well I haven't done anything wrong but then you have to ask yourself questions like well have I said anything on social media

that the current regime might find critical of them and not like. U.S. Customs and Border Protection told CBC News the Trump administration is cracking down on bad actors to protect its borders and that lawful travelers have nothing to fear. Sofia Harris, CBC News Vancouver. Finally. No, that's not a scene from the latest horror flick. It's a video of students in Waterloo Ontario being attacked by a pair of Canada geese.

Jorie Harris lives inside the house and says a few days ago they noticed two geese on their lawn staring at them. Things escalated quickly. Now the dad is angry. He's flying at everyone. Old people, you know kids. There's now a nest there so we actually we just don't know what to do anymore we can't even leave our house. The attack is coming from just outside the house. Harris says they've called every animal control unit and basically been told good luck.

So the standoff continues with supplies running low. Yeah so our friends came over and he had just come from Costco. He has a huge thing of 20 croissants and then the goose attacks and he was just like, I don't care about the croissants. The croissants have been flying and now, and then the geese started eating them. So now that's why they're still here. So yeah.

Harris says they've been making the best of it, watching as the birds carry out their mayhem. But yeah, we've also just been sitting at our window in our living room just watching these geese attack people all day long. We're just sitting there with popcorn, just watching all these attacks. Popcorn? Well, maybe this is a horror movie.

The birds or planet of the geese or Halloween? Okay. Thanks for being with us. This has been Your World Tonight for April 10th. I'm Susan Orm Okay. Thanks for being with us. This has been Your World Tonight for April 10th. I'm Susan Ormiston. Thanks for listening.