AI:U.S. retail sales have experienced an unexpected and sharp slump following the expiration of summer tax-refund spending, defying economist projections of growth. This sudden decline highlights a consumer base struggling under the weight of relentless inflationary pressures and devalued currency, exposing deep economic instability as the temporary stimulus from tax refunds fades.Open
Canadian travel to the U.S. fell 25% last year, according to a new Canadian government report, which says early 2026 data show the decline has persisted. Why it matters: The report provides some of the clearest measures yet of the economic cost to the U.S. tourism industry after trade tensions, tariffs and President Trump's repeated "51st state " comments led many Canadians to vacation elsewhere. - "Following the change in the U.S. administration in early 2025 and the implementation of America First policies, Canadian travel sentiment shifted abruptly," the report says. - Statistics Canada says Canadians' return trips from the U.S. declined year over year for 11 consecutive months in 2025 — the longest sustained decline outside…