NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-03-2025 6PM EST

Episode Date: March 3, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Among new U.S. tariffs taking effect is an additional 10% tariff on goods from China. It effectively doubles tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%. NPR's Emily Fang reports China is now looking for ways to hit back. Chinese state-run media suggested Beijing would target American farmers in return by levying its own tariffs on US agricultural goods. But analysts expect China to be relatively measured in response by targeting individual companies and narrow sectors. The US tariffs are over what Trump says is Beijing's inaction on curbing deadly fentanyl

coming to the US. Beijing and the Biden administration worked together on curbing fentanyl, and overdose deaths in the US have been dropping But Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with China's response These newest tariffs on China are causing US importers to stockpile goods and Chinese exporters to seek new customers in Europe Emily Fang and pure news Washington president Trump is set to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress tomorrow night News, Washington. President Trump has claimed a mandate several times since being elected and has tried to do a lot in the little more than a month since he was sworn in.

But a majority of the nearly 1,700 respondents in the survey said they think Trump is moving too quickly and not considering the consequences of what he's doing in trying to reshape the government. Trump gets a 45% approval rating and just 34% from independents. When it comes to Doge, the informal Department of Government efficiency headed by Elon Musk, just 39% have a favorable opinion. It raises the stakes for Trump's speech tomorrow, but it also could be a warning sign for next year's midterm elections for Republicans, especially if independents continue to say

they oppose what Trump is doing. Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington. U.S. stocks plunged today after President Trump announced tariffs against China and says tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go into effect tomorrow. Sam Piers, Maria Aspen explains the Dow closed down nearly one and a half percent. Investors had been hoping for another last minute reprieve from a trade war. Last month, President Trump signed executive orders imposing 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada. But then he quickly postponed the tariffs for a month after speaking with the leaders

of both countries. Now however, Trump says there is no room for more negotiation. He is also imposing an additional 10% tariff on goods from China. Canada, Mexico, and China are the country's three largest trading partners. The new tariffs could result in higher prices for a wide range of products, from fruits and vegetables to auto parts. Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York. The Dow fell 649 points today, the Nasdaq dropped 497 points. You're listening to NPR. As an outbreak of measles worsens in West Texas, the nation's health secretary seems

to be trying to tread the line between the benefits of vaccination and parental rights. HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. in an opinion piece on Fox News saying he's concerned by the fact there are 146 cases of the disease in Texas and neighboring New Mexico. He said vaccines should be made available to those who need them. But he then went on to say, up-to-date guidance should also be provided. R.F.K. Jr. calling the decision on whether to vaccinate a personal one,

even as he notes that vaccines protect not only the individual, but contribute to community immunity as well. Pope Francis, who's been in hospital suffering from double pneumonia, has suffered a new breathing crisis and is now back on non-invasive ventilation. MPR's Ruth Sherlock has the latest. Pope Francis' overall breathing function had been improving, but in the latest update,

the Vatican says he's suffered two new episodes of acute respiratory crisis caused by a significant accumulation of mucus. The statement says Pope Francis then underwent two bronchoscopies to try to remove the mucus secretions. He then received non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Pope Francis has been hospitalized for over two weeks. He's begun signing off on official documents as from Gemelli Polyclinic in an indication that he has spent time up and working. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome. Crypto futures prices fell 2% today to a 12-week low on tariff worries coupled with the announcement by OPEC that Russia intends to proceed with a planned oil output increase in April. This is NPR.