Trump backs off Mexico, Canada tariffs after market blowback

US President Donald Trump on Thursday delayed some tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico — leading Ottawa to halt an upcoming wave of countermeasures — in moves that bring reprieve to companies and consumers after blowback on financial markets.Stock markets tumbled after Trump’s duties of up to 25 percent took effect Tuesday, as economists warned that blanket levies could weigh on US growth and raise inflation.But Trump signed orders Thursday to delay the fresh tariffs for Canadian and Mexican imports covered by a North American trade agreement, though he dismissed suggestions that his decisions were linked to market turmoil.The halt –…