NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-21-2025 10AM EST

Episode Date: January 21, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korova Coleman. President Trump has declared an emergency at the southern U.S. border. He's starting to fulfill some of his campaign promises. Trump issued scores of executive actions yesterday, many of them on immigration. He's vowed to remove millions of migrants illegally in the U.S. Last week, Trump's incoming border czar said that would include large-scale immigration raids such as in Chicago. He later said those plans were being reconsidered.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. They're a federal agent. I mean, there's, you know, if they come in with warrants, if they come in with their authority, no, we won't, again, intervene or support in any way. But what I can say is that we have worked with community-based organizations, as well as other stakeholders, so that the people of Chicago know their rights.

And that's the part that's most important here. He spoke to NPR's Morning Edition. Trump has also ordered a review of the trade deficits the U.S. has with other nations, including China. NPR's John Rewich reports China says it is ready to work with the new Trump administration to promote economic cooperation. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference China is ready to strengthen dialogue and communication with the U.S. on economics and trade, which benefit both countries.

And he said he hopes the U.S. will work with China toward shared goals. Guo also suggested that Beijing might be willing to look beyond a potential hurdle to that dialogue. China put sanctions on then-Senator Marco Rubio in 2020 in retaliation for U.S. sanctions on Hong Kong officials over human rights. Rubio was confirmed by the Senate on Monday to be Secretary of State. Guo said that while China will safeguard its national interests, it's necessary for high-level officials from both countries to maintain contact in quote an appropriate manner John Ruehich NPR News Beijing meanwhile in remarks to reporters last night Trump says he is ready to impose economic sanctions on Canada and Mexico of

25% Trump says the terrorists could take effect February 1st among the other executive actions President Trump has signed an order to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement and Pierce Julia Simon has more. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the climate treaty in his last term. This time he did it on his first day. Almost a decade ago, 196 countries came together to sign the historic treaty. The goal remains to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over

levels in the 1800s. Scientists agree that with ever-increasing levels of climate pollution, the world will see more devastating heatwaves, floods, and fires. Trump's decision comes on the heels of deadly fires in Los Angeles that scientists already say were made worse because climate change made vegetation more dry. Climate experts say as the U.S. retreats from climate leadership, other countries are stepping up including China, the U.K., and the European Union. Julia Simon, NPR News.

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. President Trump has started the process for terminating U.S. membership in the World Health Organization. As NPR's Gabriella Emanuel reports, his opposition to the U.N. agency that oversees global health goes back to the height of the COVID pandemic. Trump has repeatedly criticized WHO, saying it was slow to respond to the pandemic and accusing the international body of being controlled by China. Trump's critics say the move will leave the U.S. uninformed and unprepared to deal with disease outbreaks. This is the most cataclysmic decision of a president in my lifetime. Lawrence Gosting is at Georgetown University. The terms upon which we engage all of the health emergencies that affect America will be

set by others at WHO. We won't be at the table. China will. The process for the US to withdraw requires a one-year notification period and this decision could face legal challenges. Gabriella Immanuel, NPR News. The WHO says it hopes the US will reconsider and it looks forward to constructive dialogue with the U.S. to help benefit millions of people around the world. Israel's top military general has resigned. Lieutenant General Hersey Halavi is citing the Israeli security breakdown from the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. That was launched from Gaza.

The announcement comes as the Israeli military opened a major operation today in the other Palestinian enclave, the occupied West Bank. At least six Palestinians have been killed there. You're listening to NPR.