The Business Development Bank of Canada has earmarked $500 million in financing, loan deferrals and advice for small- and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, whose U.S. sales or supply chains are at risk from the trade war launched by President Donald Trump. (The Logic)

Talking point: Canadian SMEs whose exports to the U.S. make up at least 25 per cent of sales volume, have annual sales of at least $2 million, positive cash flow and proof of profitability are eligible for the loans. Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the federal Crown corporation, said the scope is deliberately narrower than COVID-19 pandemic relief. “This is a more targeted crisis,” she said. Hudon said BDC is also “pushing hard” on the advice it can offer SMEs on how to get through a longer-lasting downturn, such as how to manage cash flow or diversifying exports. “It’s not like a little bump on the road, and it’s now time to think about: how should we do things differently?”