Canada's labor force participation rate in January was 65%, below the expected 65.4% and the previous reading of 65.40%.

The preliminary reading of the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for February was 57.3, below the expected 55 and the previous reading of 56.4.

1. Trump Announces Sanae Takaichi's March 19 Visit to the US – President Trump announced on Thursday that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit the White House on March 19. 2. Awaiting Updates on US-Iran Talks The White House stated that Trump prefers to resolve tensions through diplomatic means and will receive a briefing from his representatives after the talks. Trump's senior foreign policy envoy, Witkov, and his son-in-law, Kushner, represented the United States at the talks. 3. US Government to Cancel Job Security for Approximately 50,000 Federal Employees On February 5, the US government announced it would cancel job security for approximately 50,000 federal employees. The government announced a comprehensive reform of the classification system for federal employees, making it easier for the president to fire non-political public servants. 4. Calls for Republicans to Pass Voter Identification Bill – President Trump on Thursday urged congressional Republicans to pass the "SAVE America Act," a Republican-led bill aimed at tightening voting requirements. Trump claimed that the US election was "rigged and stolen" and called for a ban on mail-in ballots. 5. Trump endorses Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's re-election —Ahead of Hungary's crucial April elections, Trump publicly endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. He stated on social media that he "fully supports his re-election as Prime Minister of Hungary." Orbán's right-wing party, Fidesz, is trailing the center-right Tissa party in opinion polls. 6. The US should negotiate a "new, improved, and modernized" nuclear treaty with Russia —Trump stated that the US should negotiate a "new, improved, and modernized" nuclear treaty with Russia, rather than agreeing to extend the New START Treaty. 7. Right to retain a "military security" base on Diego Garcia —Trump said on Thursday that he had a "very productive discussion" with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the future of Diego Garcia. Trump warned, "If anyone threatens or jeopardizes U.S. operations and forces at Diego Garcia, I reserve the right to take military action to secure and strengthen the U.S. presence at Diego Garcia." 8. The White House launched TrumpRx, a direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical platform—The White House officially launched TrumpRx, the Trump administration's direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical platform, on Thursday. 9. The U.S. State Department announced $6 million in aid to Cuba—The U.S. State Department announced $6 million in aid to Cuba, but the U.S. has not yet made direct contact with the Cuban government on this matter.