The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, April 16, edition that Canada's inflation rate decreased to 2.3 per cent in March, down from 2.6 per cent in February, as travel-related prices fell. The Globe's Matt Lundy writes that analysts had predicted a rise to 2.7 per cent due to the end of a federal tax holiday. Monthly consumer prices rose 0.3 per cent, below the expected 0.7-per-cent increase. Inflation has remained near the Bank of Canada's 2-per-cent target, allowing for rate cuts at seven consecutive meetings. However, the BOC's next rate decision, on Wednesday, is hardly certain, because of the fallout from the global trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump. American trade policies, which often change by the day, are making it near impossible for central bankers to forecast the economic outlook. Economists and analysts are roughly split over whether the BOC will cut its policy rate again or hold it steady at 2.75 per cent. The interest rate swaps market is leaning toward a hold, although not by a wide margin. Still, there are several analysts on Bay Street who think the central bank will cut for an eighth consecutive time to support a Canadian economy on shaky ground.