North America's manufacturing is taking some real hits lately. Canada's automotive industry saw a notable downturn in November—blamed on a perfect storm of chip supply constraints, weakening buyer demand, and escalating tariff tensions with the US. This kind of economic slowdown in traditional sectors often signals broader market uncertainty. When trade friction cranks up and industrial production cools, investors typically rotate toward alternative assets. Worth monitoring how these headwinds play out across the continent, especially with cross-border supply chains still under stress.