The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, June 14, edition that Statistics Canada reports that manufacturing sales fell by 2.8 per cent in April, marking the largest drop since October, 2023. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that sales reached $69.6-billion, the lowest since January, 2022, following three consecutive monthly decreases. Key contributors to the decline included petroleum and coal products (down 10.9 per cent), motor vehicles (down 8.3 per cent), and primary metals (down 4.4 per cent). The increase in global trade tensions, particularly due to the U.S. tariff dispute targeting Canadian steel, aluminum and automotive industries, significantly impacted prices and volumes in the petroleum sector. The U.S. administration has provided some exemptions from tariffs for USMCA-compliant goods, while Canada has eased counter-tariffs for key manufacturing sectors. In April, eight provinces experienced drops in manufacturing sales, with Ontario reporting the largest decline due to tariff uncertainties, leading to partial shutdowns at several auto assembly plants. About half of manufacturers and 43 per cent of wholesalers surveyed by Statscan reported being affected by tariffs in April.