News Wrap: Canada’s tariff announcement was withdrawn after Trump cut off trade negotiations

In our news cover on Friday, President Trump said he was ending trade negotiations with Canada over a television ad opposing U.S. tariffs, Secretary of State Rubio expressed confidence that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas would hold, and the Pentagon said it had accepted a $130 million donation from a private donor to help pay military salaries during the government shutdown.

Jeff Bennett:

We start today’s other headlines in Canada.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his province is pulling a television ad that prompted President Trump to pause all trade negotiations with Canada. The issue at issue was the declaration’s argument against US tariffs.

RONALD REAGAN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: But in the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer.

Jeff Bennett:

The ad shows parts of former President Ronald Reagan’s 1987 radio speech, but ignores the fact that Reagan was speaking after he himself imposed the tariffs.

President Trump responded this morning: “Canada was deceived and got caught.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney said today that Canada cannot control US trade policy, but he hopes negotiations will resume.

Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister:

We stand ready to follow and build on this progress when Americans are ready to have those discussions, because they will benefit workers in the United States, workers in Canada, and families in both our countries.

Jeff Bennett:

Before the uproar over the television ad, Carney said that he aims to double his country’s exports to countries other than the United States due to the tariffs imposed by President Trump.

Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his confidence in the continuation of the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. But he warned all parties that the agreement must succeed because, as he put it, there is no other alternative.

Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State: We are all committed to making this plan a success. There is no alternative plan. This is the best plan. It’s the only plan. It’s one we think can work. It’s a plan – a plan that we believe is on its way to success.

Jeff Bennett:

Rubio spoke during a visit to a US-led coordination center near Gaza. He is the latest US official to visit the facility this week, after Vice President J.D. Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff.

Rubio’s visit comes at a time when Gazans are trying to return to their lives two weeks after the ceasefire took effect. For Gaza City residents, there is widespread uncertainty about when the process of rebuilding ranks can begin.

Kamal Al-Yaziji, displaced from Gaza (through a translator):

I couldn’t find it anywhere other than here. I’m sitting in front of my house. Where can I go? In front of the rubble, every day I look at my house and feel sad for it. But what can I do?

Jeff Bennett:

Against this backdrop, two major issues remain before the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire can proceed. Hamas has not agreed to disarm, and Israel has not yet agreed to form an international peacekeeping force that will remain inside Gaza.

New York Attorney General Letitia James today pleaded not guilty to federal charges of mortgage fraud.

(acclaim)

Jeff Bennett:

Her supporters cheered as she left the federal courthouse in Virginia this morning. President Trump has pressed the Justice Department to pursue the case against James, who launched a civil fraud case against him in 2022. Today, the department was accused of targeting those who, in its words, stood up for the rule of law.

Letitia James, New York Attorney General:

This is not about me. This is about all of us and a justice system that has been used as a weapon, a justice system that has been used as an instrument of revenge.

Jeff Bennett:

James is the third Trump opponent to face federal charges this month alone, following former FBI Director James Comey and former Trump national security adviser John Bolton. Her trial is scheduled for January next year.

The Pentagon confirmed today that it has accepted a $130 million donation from a private donor to help pay military salaries during the government shutdown. This donation raises legal and ethical questions about the use of private funds to pay troops’ salaries. There are currently 1.3 million active duty service members, meaning the gift, while significant, is about $100 each.

During yesterday’s event, President Trump said the person offering the money was a friend of his and wished to remain anonymous.

The Labor Department reported this morning that inflation rose 3% in September compared to the same period last year. This is the highest reading since January, but not as bad as some economists had feared. This is likely welcome news for Fed officials, who have indicated they will cut interest rates at their meeting next week.

The inflation report also helped push stocks higher on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points during the day. The Nasdaq index rose by about 260 points. The S&P 500 added about 50 points to end the week.

STILL IN NEWS HOUR: Government shutdown leaves many essential workers without pay, turning to food banks to survive; David Brooks and Kimberly Atkins Stohr discuss the ongoing government shutdown and the latest political headlines; We take a look back at 50 years of the “PBS News Hour.”