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Conor McGregor Announces Irish Presidential Run

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor declared his candidacy for Ireland’s presidency on Thursday, building his platform on opposition to European Union immigration policies.

“Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. I will!” McGregor wrote to his Instagram followers after announcing his bid to run in the election, which must be held by November.

The MMA star promised to challenge EU migration regulations aimed at distributing asylum seeker processing across member states. If elected, McGregor pledged to hold a national referendum on the issue.

You can read more on the matter here.

What’s going on?

• Canada Slapped With 100% Tariff On Canola Exports To China (theDeepDive)

•  Prime Minister Carney will eliminate GST for first-time homebuyers (Yahoo)

• Trump Signs Order to Reclaim Mineral Independence (theDeepDive)

• Musk holds Pentagon meeting, calls for prosecutions of officials leaking false information (Globe)

• Canada’s Liberals Surge to 6-Point Lead Under Carney, Ipsos Poll Finds (theDeepDive)

• Trump says student loans will be handled by Small Business Administration (CNBC)

• US investors in ByteDance explore TikTok deal to appease Donald Trump (FT)

• Canadian Small Business Confidence Plummets to Record Low Amid Trade War (theDeepDive)

• UAE commits to $1.4 trillion US investment, White House says (Reuters)

• China Ramps Up Domestic Mineral Exploration to Boost Self-Sufficiency (theDeepDive)

• Heathrow Airport Moves to Reopen After Power Outage Snarls Travel (WSJ)

What’s the latest?

• Gold: Gold is up 16% in 2025, hitting 15 all-time highs, and is now trading around $3,034.92 per ounce, just $20 below Thursday’s record of $3,057.49. It gained 1.7% this week amid concerns over Trump’s tariffs and geopolitical tensions, with Macquarie forecasting a potential rise to $3,500. Despite stable U.S. jobless claims and stronger home sales, bond traders expect the Fed to cut rates further in 2025, which could support gold prices. Silver, platinum, and palladium all declined.

• Hudson’s Bay: Hudson’s Bay, facing liquidation of 80 stores and 9,364 job losses, has managed to keep six locations open temporarily, including its Toronto flagship and key stores in Ontario and Quebec. Recent strong sales generated enough cash to repay $16 million in financing, giving the company a brief window to seek a long-term solution before a June 15 liquidation deadline. The retailer paused its loyalty program with 8.2 million members holding $58.5 million in unused points and will stop accepting $24.2 million in gift cards after April 6. If no solution is found soon, even the six remaining stores may be added to liquidation.

• Tesla: Elon Musk addressed Tesla employees after the company’s shares fell over 50% in three months, urging them to “hang on to your stock” and reiterating that Teslas are close to achieving full self-driving capabilities. Tesla deliveries have dropped significantly in key markets, partially due to paused Model Y production for a redesign and increasing backlash over Musk’s ties to President Trump, which has led to protests and vandalism. Despite Musk’s optimism about Tesla’s future and potential new affordable models, analysts warn that brand damage and political associations have created a “tornado crisis moment” for the company.

• AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca announced a $2.5 billion investment in a new research and development center in Beijing, expected to increase its local workforce to 1,700 employees. The center will collaborate with biotech firms Harbour BioMed and Syneron Bio and launch a joint venture with BioKangtai to develop and manufacture vaccines, marking AstraZeneca’s first vaccine facility in China. This move comes despite a potential $4.5 million fine from Chinese authorities over $900,000 million in unpaid import duties, but CEO Pascal Soriot emphasized the investment is unrelated to the ongoing probe. AstraZeneca has invested $10 billion in China over recent years, maintaining strong R&D partnerships despite geopolitical tensions.

• Retail Sales: Canadian retail sales fell 0.6% to $69.4 billion in January, driven by a 2.6% decline in motor vehicle and parts sales, while core retail sales (excluding gas and auto) dropped 0.2%. In volume terms, sales fell 1.1%, with food, beverage, and alcohol retailers contributing to the decline. TD forecasts 2.7% annualized consumer spending growth in Q1 but warns of potential contraction in later quarters due to uncertainty over tariffs. A preliminary estimate suggests a further 0.4% decline in retail sales for February.

Andean Precious Metals Q4 Earnings

The stock market and stuff

• Tesla Secures First California Permit on Path to Robotaxi Service (theDeepDive)

• S&P 500 heads for five-week losing streak (FT)

• China Delays BYD’s Mexico Factory Plans Over Technology Transfer Concerns (theDeepDive)

In the juniors

• PyroGenesis Sees $3.6 Million In Contracts Put At Risk By Creditor Protection Filing (theDeepDive)

• Sonoro Gold: One Of Mexico’s Next Gold Producers? (theDeepDive)

• Gunnison Copper On Track For Q3 Production At Johnson Camp Mine (theDeepDive)

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