US targets Iran and Canada with sanctions and higher tariffs

Aug 24, 2026

Washington is opening economic fronts against Iran and Canada at once, which is bad news for trade, for Canadian carmakers, and for anyone hoping the tariff fight would cool off.

  • The White House unveiled a plan to cut Iran off from the world economy by punishing any country or company that keeps trading with it.
  • China is the obvious target, since it is Iran's biggest trading partner and was pointedly not exempted.
  • Trump says tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, and parts will double to 50% in 2027, after trade talks fell apart — the delay looks like pressure rather than a real deadline.
  • At home, the Treasury started buying back US debt to push interest rates down, and the bond market barely reacted.
  • Housing keeps weakening, with builders piling on luxury extras to move expensive homes that are not selling.

Outlook: Expect the trade fight with Canada and the squeeze on Iran to escalate before either produces a deal, while the bond market stays the thing to watch at home.

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