🔥 Trump's Steel Tariffs 2.0: The Trade War Strikes Back!

Good morning, Fireflies. If you thought the last episode of Severance was rough, your dog probably had an even worse time watching it. According to The Washington Post, many pups lose their minds when their owners tune in to the Ben Stiller-directed show—possibly thanks to the endless elevator “dings” or that eerie blue color scheme. But let’s be real: Pets have had a grudge against Stiller since Meet the Parents.

—Your Firefly Daily Team

Markets

📊 As of market close yesterday:

🔍 What’s the vibe? Investors are loving the current uncertainty about as much as a kid loves brussels sprouts. Stocks swung wildly before ending in the red after President Trump suggested new tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum (more on that in a sec). Kohl’s had a not-so-merry day, plummeting 24% after disappointing sales forecasts hinted at a consumer spending slowdown.

Economy

🇺🇸 Trump’s Tariff Tango with Canada

Trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada reached the temperature of molten steel yesterday as President Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian metals.

🔥 The Breakdown:

• Trump announced an extra 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum, stacking on top of a 25% duty already set to kick in today.

• The move was in response to Ontario slapping a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.

• Hours later, after a tense call with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Ontario backed down and paused the surcharge.

• The White House confirmed the 50% tariff was off the table (for now), but the 25% base tariff would still proceed.

💸 Why It Matters: Canada is the top foreign supplier of steel and aluminum—materials found in everything from soda cans to cars. Tariffs may help U.S. steelmakers but could make manufacturing pricier. Investors? Not thrilled. The S&P 500 Industrials Sector fell 1.5% in response.

World

🌎 Headlines You Need to Know

🛑 U.S. resumes aid to Ukraine after brokering a tentative 30-day ceasefire agreement—if Russia plays ball. Talks are ongoing, with Trump’s special envoy heading to Moscow this week.

🚗 Trump buys a Tesla to support Elon Musk after Tesla’s stock took a dive amid controversy over Musk’s political ties and Dogecoin promotions. But will the endorsement help or hurt the brand?

🏛️ House Republicans pass a bill to dodge a government shutdown—but the Senate could block it. A looming deadline this Friday has both sides scrambling for a deal.

Aviation

🎒 Southwest’s Free Bag Era is Over

Say goodbye to your favorite airline perk—Southwest is ditching its “Bags Fly Free” policy starting in May.

🧳 Why the shift?

• Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has been pressuring the airline to find new revenue streams.

• Industry struggles, economic jitters, and recent high-profile plane crashes have Southwest looking for ways to cut $1 billion in costs.

• Alongside bag fees, Southwest will also end its open-seating system next year, introducing premium seating instead.

✈️ Big Picture: With U.S. airlines increasingly nickel-and-diming passengers, travelers might start reconsidering budget European carriers… or just road-tripping instead.

Travel

⛷️ Japan’s Ski Resorts Are Bursting with Tourists

Forget Aspen—Japan is the new ski capital of the world. Heavy snowfall and a weak yen have made the country’s slopes a magnet for foreign skiers.

🌨️ What’s happening?

• Some areas saw 12 feet of snowpack this week, after last month’s storms temporarily shut down resorts.

• U.S. and European skiers are flocking to Japan, with travel companies reporting a 600% surge in bookings for the 2024-2025 season.

💰 Why It’s a Big Deal: A Colorado skier told The New York Times it’s actually cheaper to fly to Japan and ski than spend a week in Aspen or Vail. Ouch.

Stat of the Day

🌍 Prime air time
If you're chasing fresh air, your options are extremely limited. According to a new report, only seven countries worldwide met the World Health Organization’s air quality standards last year.

AI & How to Make Money with It 💰🤖

AI is revolutionizing industries, and if you know where to look, you can ride the wave to serious profits. Here are a few ways to cash in:

AI-Powered SaaS Products

• Create a no-code AI-powered SaaS product using platforms like Bubble or Zapier.

• AI chatbots for customer service or sales automation.

• AI-driven market research or trend prediction tools.

AI Notes – What You Need to Know 🧠📌

🚀 AI isn’t coming—it’s already here! If you’re not leveraging it, you’re falling behind.
💰 The AI economy is projected to hit $15.7 TRILLION by 2030. That’s more than the GDP of China today.
🔑 Mastering AI is like knowing how to use the internet in 1999. Early adopters win big.
🔥 The key skill? Knowing how to work WITH AI, not compete against it.

🏥 Smart Health Hacks: Simple Tips for a Better You 💪

1️⃣ Stay Hydrated – Aim for at least 8 glasses of water daily to boost energy and digestion. 💧
2️⃣ Prioritize Sleep – Quality sleep (7-9 hours) helps with focus, immunity, and weight control. 😴
3️⃣ Move Daily – Even a 30-minute walk can improve heart health and mood. 🚶‍♂️
4️⃣ Eat the Rainbow – Load up on colorful fruits and veggies for essential vitamins. 🍎🥦
5️⃣ Manage Stress – Try meditation, deep breathing, or a hobby to keep stress in check. 🧘‍♀️
6️⃣ Limit Processed Foods – Cut back on sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats to reduce disease risk. 🚫🍟
7️⃣ Stay Social – Strong relationships can boost mental well-being and longevity. 💬❤️

Small habits, big impact—your future self will thank you! 🚀

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—The Firefly Daily Team