Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: How Canada’s “Reagan ad” reignited Trump’s trade war
Host: Shumita Basu
Date: October 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Shumita Basu explores a series of consequential news stories: the Trump administration’s renewed trade tensions with Canada following a provocative Ontario ad using Ronald Reagan’s words, the status of US-China trade negotiations, a congressional investigation into US citizens detained in immigration raids, a legal alliance between Letitia James and James Comey against a controversial DoJ appointment, and updates on hurricane season and possible 2028 Democratic presidential contenders. The episode also covers arrests related to the Louvre jewelry heist.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. US-China Trade War Developments

Timestamps: [00:05] – [02:53]

• The Trump administration signaled a possible end to threats of a 100% tariff on Chinese exports, calming markets.
  • Scott Bessant (Treasury Secretary) on NBC’s Meet the Press:
    "I think that's old news. President Trump gave me a great deal of negotiating leverage with the threat of the 100% tariffs on November 1st, and I believe we've reached a very substantial framework that will avoid that..." ([00:58])
• Bessant noted a likely deferral on China's rare earth export restrictions and expressed hope for an end to China's soybean boycott, mentioning his personal stake.
  • "In case you don't know it, I'm actually a soybean farmer, so I have felt this pain too." ([01:43])
  • Host points out Bessant’s farming background is financial, not agricultural.
• Talks are preliminary; a finalized trade deal requires approval from both leaders.
• Jonathan Zin (Former NSC, PBS):
  • China has switched to an offensive trade posture with export controls; believes US hesitation signals China can escalate further.
  • "If that's the case, I think we are in for further bumpy rounds in the trade war and 2026." ([02:26])

2. Canada Trade Tensions & the “Reagan Ad”

Timestamps: [02:53] – [04:19]

• Trump halts trade talks with Canada and imposes an additional 10% tariff after Ontario airs a US campaign ad criticizing tariffs, using a 1987 Ronald Reagan radio address:
  • Ad excerpt: "When someone says let's impose tariffs on foreign imports, it looks like they're doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs...But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker." ([03:19])
• Trump responds by claiming Reagan supported tariffs.
• Ontario Premier Doug Ford defends the ad but halts its airing after presidential backlash:
  • "But it's real because it was coming from the best president the country's ever seen, Ronald Reagan. So it's very effective. It's probably one of the best ads I've ever seen..." ([04:03])
• Experts warn the new tariffs may drive up prices on everyday goods like steel, aluminum, and cars.

3. Congressional Investigation: Detained US Citizens in Immigration Raids

Timestamps: [04:19] – [08:23]

• ProPublica reports over 170 cases this year where US citizens were detained by immigration agents.
  • Case example: George Reddes, Iraq war veteran, describes his violent detention at a protest:
    • "Agents smashed my window, pepper sprayed me, dragged me out and kneeled on my neck and back." ([05:15])
  • Rep. Robert Garcia (California, NPR):
    • "Why is this happening? How is this being funded? Why isn't due process in the Constitution being followed?" ([05:35])
  • Nicole Foy (ProPublica):
    • "Citizens in particular have reported a number of really disturbing and violent behavior...at least three citizens in our review were pregnant when agents detained them..." ([06:08])
    • "This is just the natural consequence when there's increased immigration enforcement with aggressive quotas..." ([08:03])
• Legal context: Agents can detain citizens if they reasonably suspect illegal status; some powers expanded by Supreme Court for California sweeps.
• Notable case: Leonardo Garcia Venegas in Alabama, who was detained (captured on video) while protesting his brother's arrest despite proclaiming his citizenship ([07:16]).

4. Letitia James & James Comey: Legal Motion Against DoJ Appointee

Timestamps: [08:23] – [11:17]

• Letitia James (New York Attorney General) pleads not guilty to DoJ mortgage fraud charges; emerges to supportive crowds:
  • "No fear, no fear. Because I believe that justice will rain down like Water and righteousness like a mighty stream." ([09:13])
• James and James Comey jointly move to dismiss indictments, arguing that Lindsey Halligan’s appointment as interim US Attorney was illegal because she replaced another interim appointee without Senate approval.
  • Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post):
    • "Halligan quickly moved to jumpstart this case against Comey and Letitia James...Now Comey's lawyers are saying, due to some details over how that appointment was made, that Halligan's appointment was invalid." ([09:42])
• The administration uses back-to-back interim appointments to circumvent Senate confirmation, a legal gray area.
  • "If the Trump administration can just keep appointing whoever they want for periods of 120 days, there's a world in which they never have to go before the Senate..." ([10:50])
  • The White House disagrees; awaits court ruling.

5. Quick Hits

Timestamps: [11:17] – [13:47]

• Hurricane Melissa: Upgraded to Category 4; Jamaica and surrounding islands on alert for historic flooding ([11:34]).
• 2028 Democratic Field:
  • Gavin Newsom (California Governor):
    • Candid about 2028 ambitions: "Yeah, I'd be lying. Otherwise, I'd just be lying and I can't do that." ([12:57])
  • Kamala Harris (Former Vice President):
    • Open to another run:
      "That is correct. I am not done." ([13:11])
• Louvre Jewelry Heist: Authorities in Paris arrest two suspects; search continues for other thieves and stolen items ([13:34]).

Notable Quotes

• Scott Bessant (00:58): "President Trump gave me a great deal of negotiating leverage with the threat of the 100% tariffs on November 1st...I believe we've reached a very substantial framework that will avoid that..."
• Ronald Reagan ad excerpt (03:19): "Such trade barriers hurt every American worker."
• Doug Ford (04:03): "It's real because it was coming from the best president the country's ever seen, Ronald Reagan."
• George Reddes (05:15): "Agents smashed my window, pepper sprayed me, dragged me out and kneeled on my neck and back."
• Nicole Foy (06:08): "Citizens...have reported being kicked, dragged, beaten, tased. One woman was shot."
• Letitia James (09:13): "No fear, no fear. Because I believe that justice will rain down like Water and righteousness like a mighty stream."
• Gavin Newsom (12:57): "Yeah, I'd be lying. Otherwise, I'd just be lying and I can't do that."
• Kamala Harris (13:11): "That is correct. I am not done."

Useful for Listeners

• This episode provides crucial updates on trade wars impacting global economics, ongoing US immigration controversies, political maneuvering within the Justice Department, disaster updates, and early signals about the 2028 presidential race.
• The use of Ronald Reagan’s words in contemporary trade disputes is a striking example of political messaging shaping real-world policy.
• The podcast highlights the increasing intersection of politics, legal technicalities, and immigration enforcement, essential for understanding current American governance and its global impacts.