Tariff turmoil, Ukrainian rare earth minerals, mortgage defaults up, and more

They’re on, they’re off, they’re now, they’re not. Canadians are trying to figure out what’s happening with tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. There is more confusion today, as he claims they are full steam ahead, but his commerce secretary says there is still a chance to avoid them.

Trump says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in Washington on Friday to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals. Trump says the deal is payback for the aid the U.S. has provided during the war. But what is it Trump is so keen to get from Ukraine? The CBC’s Chris Brown visits mines there to find out.

Mortgage defaults are up across Canada, with BC feeling the worst of it. Mortgage holders who are falling behind in their payments are also carrying substantially higher balances, likely because of pre-pandemic interest rates.

Plus: Ontario election tomorrow, Carney accused of lying, and more.