The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Canada's biggest banks are warning that a looming trade war with the United States would further pressure the country's slowing economic growth, prompting businesses to hold off on investment plans and deal making. The Globe's Stefanie Marotta writes that the Big Six banks posted first-quarter earnings this week that beat analyst expectations, even as chief executive officers cautioned that tariffs would drag on the economy if politicians fail to address barriers to productivity. RBC, TD Bank and CIBC posted first-quarter profits Thursday, closing out bank earnings season for the country's six largest lenders. Profits jumped on higher capital markets and wealth management activity boosted by market swings caused by the U.S. presidential election, even as the banks set aside more reserves for potential loan losses. However, as uncertainty around trade policy and geopolitical tensions rises, clients are already starting to pause their investing and borrowing decisions, RBC CEO Dave McKay said during a conference call. "We are seeing signs of lower business confidence with some of our commercial banking clients opting to delay certain investment decisions," he said.