Apple News Today: Detailed Summary of "The U.S. and China Agree to Cut Tariffs for 90 Days. What to Know"

Release Date: May 12, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

1. Historic US-China Tariff Agreement

In a significant development, the United States and China have reached a temporary agreement to lower tariffs on each other's goods for a period of 90 days. This move aims to alleviate the stagnation in global trade caused by previously high tariff rates between the two economic giants.

• Tariff Reductions:
  • United States: The US will reduce its 145% tariff rate on most Chinese imports to 30%.
  • China: Conversely, China will lower its 125% tariff rate on US goods to 10%.

Scott Besant, US Treasury Secretary, emphasized the mutual benefits of this agreement, stating at [01:18], “We concluded that we have shared interest and we both have an interest in balanced trade. The US will continue moving towards that.”

Mark Stewart, CNN’s International Correspondent in Beijing, highlighted the symbolic importance of the joint statement: “The fact that both of these nations put out a statement together to say that they are committed to some kind of economic fairness between them, that's a very big deal. It's just not something we see that often.” ([02:13])

Key Insights:

• The reduced tariffs are a temporary measure to provide breathing space while both nations continue negotiations.
• There is an established open line of communication between Washington and Beijing, fostering diplomatic dialogue.
• China’s Vice Premier added, “[...] China doesn't want to fight a trade war because trade wars produce no winners. But if the US insists on forcing this war upon us, China will not be afraid of it and will fight to the end.” ([03:09])

Implications:

• Businesses in both countries are likely to welcome the tariff reduction, although there are concerns about the potential surge in transportation costs as companies rush to optimize shipments within the 90-day window.
• The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China highlighted the need for predictability to sustain operations and investment decisions.

2. Escalating US Immigration Policies and Backlash

The administration under President Donald Trump has been actively reshaping US immigration policies, resulting in significant controversy and public unrest.

Key Developments:

• Refugee Program for White South Africans:

  • A group of white South Africans was brought to the US on a US-funded charter plane, receiving expedited refugee status.
  • President Trump justified this by stating they were victims of discrimination, contrasting sharply with the stringent policies applied to other refugee groups from regions like Sudan and South America.

• Suspension of Habeas Corpus:

  • Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff, announced the administration's consideration to suspend habeas corpus, a fundamental constitutional right, outside of rebellion or invasion contexts. He stated at [05:00], “The courts aren't just at war with the executive branch. The courts are at war these radical rogue judges with the legislative branch as well, too.”

• Legal Challenges and Protests:

  • Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student released from ICE detention, is challenging the revocation of her visa, citing unfair treatment and deplorable conditions during her detention.
  • Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley and Bonnie Watson Coleman have both vocalized their opposition to the administration’s immigration tactics, highlighting instances of alleged misconduct and civil rights abuses.

• Public Protests:

  • Recent protests in New Jersey saw the arrest of Newark Mayor Ross Baraka and claims of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) misconduct during an inspection at a federal immigration detention center.
  • Viral social media videos captured chaotic scenes in Worcester, Massachusetts, where protesters tried to obstruct ICE operations, resulting in arrests, including that of a 16-year-old girl whose mother was detained.

Scott Besant summarized the situation at [06:58], “Nothing happened other than the chaos that they created themselves. If anything, we were pushed and shoved in a very vulnerable situation for the three of us.”

Implications:

• The administration’s aggressive stance on immigration is causing friction between the executive branch and the judiciary, as well as sparking significant public dissent.
• Legal battles and public protests reflect a deepening divide over immigration policies, with potential long-term impacts on national discourse and policy-making.

3. Critical Failures in US Air Traffic Control Systems

Recent outages in the US air traffic control infrastructure have raised alarms about the state of the nation's aviation safety and the urgent need for modernization.

Incident Overview:

• Radar Outages:
  • A complete radar failure occurred at Newark Airport, lasting approximately 90 seconds, disrupting communication between air traffic controllers and airplanes.
  • Similar incidents were reported in Philadelphia and Atlanta, causing delayed flights and ground stops.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy voiced his concerns at [08:43], “Congress and the country haven't paid attention to it. Right. They expect it to work. And so now I think the lights are blinking, the sirens are turning, and they're saying, listen, we have to fix this, because what you see in Newark is going to happen in other places across the country. It has to be fixed.”

Proposed Solutions:

• Modernization Plan: Duffy has proposed a multibillion-dollar initiative to overhaul the air traffic control system, which includes:

  • Upgrading outdated radio systems.
  • Raising the mandatory retirement age for air traffic controllers to address staffing shortages.
  • Investing in digitizing data management tools.

• Implementation Timeline: While these measures are crucial, Duffy cautions that implementation will take three to four years, with immediate focus on enhancing resilience at Newark Airport.

Public Response:

• Frustration among travelers is evident, with passengers expressing dissatisfaction over frequent delays and cancellations. For instance, a passenger lamented at [10:28], “I can't believe that something like this could happen like this, you know what I mean?”

Scott Besant further commented on the infrastructural challenges at [09:21], “The equipment that we use, much of it. We can't buy parts for new. We have to go on eBay and buy parts. If one part goes down, you're dealing with really old equipment.”

Implications:

• The repeated failures underscore the urgent need for investment in aviation infrastructure to prevent potential disasters and restore public confidence in air travel safety.
• The proposed modernization plan, while necessary, will require substantial funding and political will to ensure timely and effective implementation.

4. Additional Key News Stories

Beyond the primary topics of tariffs, immigration, and air traffic control, several other noteworthy stories were covered:

• Luxury Jet from Qatar to Trump:

  • President Trump is set to accept a luxury Boeing 7478 jet from the Qatari royal family, intended to serve as Air Force One. Valued at approximately $400 million, this gesture has sparked ethical concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest.
  • Democrats and ethics experts have criticized the deal, while a Qatari spokesperson clarified that the jet might be a transfer between Qatar's Ministry of Defense and the US Defense Department, not a direct gift.

• Release of American Hostage by Hamas:

  • Idan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier with dual citizenship, has been released by Hamas after prolonged secret negotiations between the US and the militant group.
  • The release occurs amidst ongoing tensions and an aid blockade in Gaza, which the UN has condemned as collective punishment, while Israel accuses Hamas of misappropriating aid.

• Pope Leo’s First Sunday Mass and Peace Appeals:

  • Pope Leo delivered his inaugural Sunday Mass, urging for an end to global conflicts. He specifically called for “no more war,” advocating for lasting peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all remaining hostages by Hamas.
  • In a related feature by The Verge, Pope Leo discussed the inspiration behind his papal name, referencing Pope Leo XIII’s leadership during the Industrial Revolution and drawing parallels to today’s challenges with the rise of AI and its impact on human dignity, justice, and labor.

Conclusion

Today's episode of Apple News Today, hosted by Shemitah Basu, provided an in-depth analysis of pivotal global and domestic issues. From the temporary easing of US-China tariffs hinting at a potential thaw in one of the world’s most critical trade relationships, to the contentious and polarizing immigration policies under the Trump administration, the episode underscored the complexities and far-reaching implications of these developments. Additionally, the alarming state of the US air traffic control infrastructure highlighted the pressing need for systemic reforms to ensure national safety and efficiency. Supplementary stories, including international diplomacy, ethical debates over presidential gifts, and the Pope’s calls for peace, further enriched the comprehensive coverage, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted news landscape.

For the complete episode and more detailed coverage, visit the Apple News app or follow "Apple News Today" on Apple Podcasts.