U.S. consumer confidence plummeted in February, the biggest monthly decline in more than four years, a business research group said Tuesday.

In February, employment in Canada was largely unchanged, with a modest increase of 1,100 jobs. The labour force participation rate declined to 65.3 per cent, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 6.6 per cent.

The Conference Board said consumer confidence took its biggest one-month slide in four years, forcing many national chains to lower earnings guidance.

Even before Donald Trump shattered the idea of a western alliance over the weekend, an uneasy spectre had begun to roil through the global economy, with troubles brewing on at least three fronts.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average had already dropped by 650 points at the end of Monday, and markets continued to fall on Tuesday as the tariffs went into effect, wiping out all of Wall Street’s post-election gains. The Dow ended up down 670 points by the end of the day.

Inflation is heating up, a trade war is brewing and American consumers aren’t feeling great about the economy. That’s a toxic mix for businesses.

Justin Trudeau was brought to tears as he spoke of the ongoing feud with President Trump and the US-imposed tariffs that have rattled Canada in his final days as prime minister.

Yahoo Finance will chronicle the latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs — from the threats to the eventual policy.