Trump’s tariffs on China; New government actions : NPR

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At this time’s high tales

President Trump informed reporters on the White Home yesterday that the U.S. may have a good cope with China. The president’s excessive tariffs have sparked a commerce struggle between the world’s two largest economies. Beijing has a 125% tariff on American items, which got here in response to the 145% tariff the Trump administration placed on Chinese language items. It’s unclear whether or not coverage modifications will include Trump’s change in tone.

• 🎧 There are two fundamental causes for the shift, NPR’s Asma Khalid tells Up First. If the tariffs keep in place, commerce between China and the U.S. will nearly halt. The change in tone can be elementary to the inventory market and the financial uncertainty that Trump’s tariffs created. The president initially acknowledged that there may very well be short-term financial ache, however it might be price it. Khalid says his workforce has been boasting about hanging offers. Anna Ashton, who was with the U.S.-China Enterprise Council for years, says the White Home’s fixed threats and “wild swings” in dedication to these threats make it unlikely that China’s President Xi Jinping will come to the desk to barter.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance are pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to just accept a U.S.-backed peace deal. On Reality Social, Trump lashed out at Zelenskyy after he rejected a proposal to just accept Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine got here as each international locations labored with European officers yesterday in London to debate methods to finish the struggle.

• 🎧 The White Home has not publicly provided specifics on the peace plan, but it surely clearly closely favors Russia on paper, NPR’s Charles Maynes says. For Ukraine, it seems that acknowledging the Crimean peninsula is a non-starter. Trump needs peace now and sees leverage over Kyiv because the quickest technique to get there, which is why Maynes believes the president is asking a number of Ukraine and so little of Russia.

Yesterday, Trump signed a sweeping record of government actions concentrating on greater schooling and Ok-12 colleges. The actions embrace proposals to remove school DEI applications and new self-discipline steerage for public colleges. One of many greater schooling orders directs Schooling Secretary Linda McMahon to “overhaul” the faculty accreditation system. One other motion threatens to revoke federal college grants if colleges do not full “full and well timed disclosure of international funding.”

• 🎧 NPR’s Elissa Nadworny says the Trump administration is making an attempt to create methods to carry faculties accountable for “ideological overreach” and to extend “mental variety” on campus. An motion concentrating on Ok-12 colleges requires revoking earlier insurance policies aimed toward lowering racial disparities in self-discipline practices like suspensions and expulsions, Nadworny says. Another government actions deal with bolstering workforce coaching and enhancing AI in colleges. The gathering of actions focuses on cementing Trump’s conservative agenda concerning schooling within the U.S.

At this time’s pay attention

Each Friday night for an hour, 19-year-old Kennia Camacho takes to the mic within the broadcast studio of radio station KQBH for her present Disaster Communicator, the place she will converse out for herself and her neighborhood of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles. In accordance with information from the LA Division of Metropolis Planning, the neighborhood is greater than 93% Hispanic. Over 85% of households don’t converse English at dwelling. Over current months, fears of ICE raids in Los Angeles have emerged. Many in the neighborhood spend extra time at dwelling. Camacho created the present in 2023 as a highschool senior. Take heed to how she has labored to uplift and tackle considerations blanketing her neighborhood ever since.

Deep dive

For the primary time in 5 years, the Division of Schooling says it’ll resume collections on defaulted scholar loans. Beginning Could 5, the division can begin taking funds from debtors’ tax refunds, Social Safety advantages and ultimately wages. The change will influence 5.3 million debtors who went into default earlier than the pandemic. NPR spoke with consultants on the subject. Here is what they are saying you must know:

• 🎓 The division says it’ll attain out to the debtors who’re in default earlier than Could 5, by way of emails and social media posts, “reminding them of their obligations.”
• 🎓 Individuals can verify their standing by logging into StudentAid.gov. The dashboard ought to present how a lot you owe. If you’re in default, there ought to be a warning message.
• 🎓The three main methods to get out of default are to repay the loans in full, mortgage consolidation and rehabilitation. The consolidation possibility entails paying off the defaulted loans with new compensation phrases. Rehabilitation requires the borrower to make a number of consecutive on-time funds of an quantity based mostly on earnings.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

1. Within the Nineteen Eighties, a big pickup truck hit Stephanie Garber’s automotive whereas she was driving. Garber wasn’t injured, however the different driver was livid and stated the accident was her fault. Whereas ready for assist to reach, she started to cry. A girl, her unsung hero, swooped in with compassion and a cup of tea to assist her.
2. Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical firm behind the burden loss drug Zepbound, is suing 4 telehealth corporations for allegedly promoting unlawful copies of the drug produced by compounding pharmacies.
3. What are a few of your most memorable moments together with your mother? NPR needs to listen to from you in regards to the love that was shared. It may very well be featured in a Mom’s Day story.

This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.