Trump pauses 50% tariffs on Canadian imports as trade officials work on a final deal; Israel opens criminal probes into Gaza killings; UAE halts trade with Iran

President Donald Trump paused his 50% tariffs on Canadian imports on Wednesday, according to U.S. trade officials cited in a news wrap by PBS NewsHour. The pause is tied to ongoing negotiations, with officials saying they are working to reach a final deal. The reported step changes the immediate cost outlook for cross-border shipments while the two sides continue discussions on the broader trade terms.

The Wednesday update came as the tariff pause was framed as part of the process to finalize an agreement, rather than a permanent resolution. Under that approach, the practical effect depends on what negotiators agree to next and whether the pause continues, ends, or is replaced by a different tariff structure after the final terms are set.

Separately, Israel’s military said it is opening criminal investigations into two high-profile killings by its troops in Gaza, according to the same PBS NewsHour wrap. The announcement indicates that Israeli military authorities are moving the cases into a criminal investigative track rather than resolving them solely within a disciplinary or administrative process.

The military’s move places additional scrutiny on operational conduct in Gaza, and it indicates that the cases will be handled through mechanisms intended for criminal accountability. The wrap did not specify investigative timelines, the identities of those involved, or the scope of evidence being reviewed.

In another regional development, the United Arab Emirates said it is halting trade with Iran one day after accusing Tehran of launching missiles toward its territory. The announcement described the action as a response to the prior allegations, positioning the trade interruption as a concrete measure tied to security concerns.

The UAE’s decision also raises questions about how quickly trade can resume, what categories of commerce are affected, and whether other governments or international bodies become involved in any de-escalation or verification steps following the missile accusation.

Across the three stories, Wednesday’s developments underline how economic policy, military accountability, and regional security measures can change on short timelines, depending on negotiation processes and official investigative or sanctions-related decisions.