(Updates after markets open)

By Pranav Kashyap

Feb 20 (Reuters) - Canada's primary stock index fell on

Thursday, dragged by concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump's

fresh tariff threats could stoke a global trade war.

At 10:03 a.m. ET (1503 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's

S&P/TSX composite index was down 0.6% at 25,489.09

points.

The technology sector was the worst performer,

dragged by a 4.3% drop in Blackberry.

Trump announced plans to unveil fresh tariffs within the

next month or sooner, targeting lumber and forest products in

addition to previously announced duties on imported cars,

semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

This announcement is particularly significant for Canada,

one of the world's leading producers and exporters of softwood

lumber. A lion's share of these exports is destined for the

United States.

Fears of a global trade war pushed investors towards gold,

with prices of the safe-haven metal soaring to unprecedented

heights.

"The tariff talk is really the main thing right now. The

uncertainty is keeping the market very choppy at best," Allan

Small, senior investment advisor at Allan Small Financial Group

with iA Private Wealth.

"Not only will our exporters be hurt because of potential

tariffs on lumber, it will also affect the United States quite

significantly."

U.S. data showed weekly jobless claims for the week ended

February 15 stood at 219,000, compared with an estimate of

215,000, as per economists polled by Reuters.

Remarks from at least four Federal Reserve officials,

including Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee are due later in

the day.

Sector-wise, healthcare emerged as the top

performer, boosted by a 7.4% jump in Bausch Health ( BHC )

after it reported its fourth-quarter results and announced 2025

forecasts.

Cenovus Energy ( CVE ) lost 5.3% after the Canadian oil and

gas giant reported a decline in fourth-quarter profits.

Nutrien ( NTR ) gained 3.6% after the top potash producer

reported its fourth-quarter results.

Manulife Financial ( MFC ) gained 6% after the company saw

a 6% increase in quarterly profit.

TFI International ( TFII ) slumped 11.6% after the

Canadian transportation and logistics service provider reported

its fourth-quarter results.