Apple News Today: Trump Promised 90 Tariff Deals in 90 Days. We’ve Got Two. What Happened?

Release Date: July 9, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

I. Trump's Tariff Policies and Economic Implications

The episode opens with Shemitah Basu delving into the fluctuating state of tariffs under President Trump's administration. Initially, Trump had pledged to implement 90 tariff deals within a 90-day window starting in April. However, as the deadline approached on July 9th, it became evident that the full suite of tariffs would not materialize as promised. Instead, only two significant agreements have been secured with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, and a partial truce with China remains in effect.

Key Developments:

• Tariff Implementation Delays: While the original deadline was missed, Trump has extended the tariff window to August 1st. Interestingly, Trump later denied setting the initial 90-day timeline, despite evidence from his social media posts. Brian Schwartz, White House Economic Policy Reporter for the Wall Street Journal, comments at [01:33] (01:16), "It wasn't a change. It was August 1st." and further explains the inconsistency in Trump's approach: "Every time we put out a statement they say he made a change. I didn't make a change. Clarification, maybe." at [01:17].

• Market Reactions: Despite early market instability due to tariff uncertainties, the markets have largely settled, with investors adapting to the ongoing unpredictability. Schwartz notes at [01:48], "It's almost as if investors are saying this is just going to be an uncertain period and we have to bake in our decision making from a business perspective based on that uncertainty coming from the White House specifically on trade."

• Current Tariff Landscape: The existing 10% tariff on most imports remains, alongside additional duties on auto parts, steel, and targeted levies on BRIC countries. These tariffs have started generating significant revenue, which is particularly crucial following a costly tax and spending bill. However, the most aggressive tariffs that initially caused market disruptions are currently paused.

• Future Projections: Schwartz warns at [03:32], "They’re going to see. Possibly some of the goods that you buy for the holiday season are up because those goods are created whether the president wants to concede to it or not outside of the United States." This suggests potential consumer price increases by year-end as companies adjust to the tariff demands.

II. Russia’s “Anti Woke” Visa: A New Immigration Strategy

Shifting focus, the podcast explores a provocative initiative by Russia to attract Westerners disillusioned with progressive values. This "anti woke" visa program, initiated by President Vladimir Putin, is designed to appeal to individuals seeking a return to traditional conservative and religious norms.

Insights from Mary Ilushna, Washington Post:

• Program Details: At [04:35], Ilushna explains, "He basically gave an executive order to Russian government to issue them visas that allow them to work and live in Russia for three years without really any requirement but their nationality." The visa targets individuals from countries deemed "unfriendly" who are willing to relocate to Russia.

• Motivations for Migration: These "moral migrants" are attracted by Russia's stance on issues such as LGBTQ rights, gender roles, and COVID-19 mandates. Ilushna elaborates at [05:10], "Putin is presenting that as not just like a partisan thing but a basis of the entire country. And that's sort of their selling point to these Westerners."

• Challenges for Migrants: While approximately 700 individuals from over 40 countries have taken up the visa this year, many face significant hurdles post-migration. Language barriers and bureaucratic obstacles make integration difficult, as described at [05:53]: "It’s like going to the DMV, but every service is DMV and you have to suffer through it. Very difficult if you don’t speak the language."

• Strategic Implications for Russia: Ilushna points out that this initiative serves a dual purpose for Putin. Internally, it reinforces the narrative that Russia is a bastion against Western "decadence," thereby consolidating his ideological control. At [06:22], she states, "So he can also tell Russians, look, these families are escaping this evil west and everything I've told you is true. And they're here now. And I was right."

III. Impact of the Tax and Spending Bill on SNAP and Food Security

The discussion transitions to the recently passed tax and spending bill, highlighting its significant reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program is vital for over 40 million low-income Americans, providing essential support for food access.

Details and Consequences:

• Budget Cuts: The bill slashes federal SNAP funding by approximately 20%, regardless of efficiencies gained from eliminating fraudulent claims. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that over 2 million Americans could lose SNAP benefits due to tightened eligibility criteria, including higher work requirements for adults without dependents, formerly capped at age 54 and now raised to 64.

• Impact on Food Security: Marsha Brown from Politico underscores the dire consequences, noting at [08:23], "Food banks around the country are an essential emergency fallback for folks when they don't know where their next meal is coming from." The nonprofit Feeding America warns that these SNAP cuts could result in the elimination of 6 to 9 billion meals annually.

• Strain on Food Banks: Food banks are already grappling with a billion-dollar reduction in federal funding since the Trump administration. The additional pressure from SNAP cuts could overwhelm these organizations, making it nearly impossible to meet the increased demand from Americans facing rising living costs. As Marsha Brown explains at [09:24], "You can't get free rent, you can't get free utilities, but you can usually get a free meal. And so people often look to groceries as a way to trim their spending. You know, they choose the store brand instead of the name brand. And that's just gotten a lot harder to do because food prices are higher even as the rest of their living expenses have also gone up."

• Geographical Disparities: Business Insider highlights that states like Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Alabama, with higher SNAP dependency rates (nearly 19% of their populations), are poised to face the most severe impacts from these cuts.

IV. Additional Highlights and Developments

The episode also touches upon several other noteworthy stories shaping the current landscape:

• Cybersecurity Breach Involving Marco Rubio’s Voice: An imposter used an AI-generated voice of Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio to deceive foreign ministers and U.S. officials. Despite the sophisticated mimicry, the State Department is enhancing its cyber defenses following this incident.

• FIFA’s Strategic Move to Trump Tower: FIFA has established a new office in Trump Tower, strengthening its ties with President Trump. Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s head, has emphasized the importance of his relationship with Trump, citing their collaboration during significant events like the Club World Cup and signaling future engagements with the upcoming International World Cup in the U.S.

• Airport Security Reforms: In a bid to improve the traveler experience, Trump announced the elimination of the long-standing rule requiring passengers to remove their shoes during security checks. Announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at Reagan National Airport, this change aims to make airport procedures more efficient, though some standard security measures remain in place.

Conclusion

Shemitah Basu concludes the episode by directing listeners to the Apple News app for more in-depth stories, including a forthcoming narrated article on the challenges posed by AI to academic integrity. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of current economic policies, international migration strategies, social safety net modifications, and other pertinent issues, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the critical topics shaping today's world.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schwartz [01:17]: "We don't change very much. You know, every time we put out a statement they say he made a change. I didn't make a change. Clarification, maybe."

• Brian Schwartz [01:33]: "He says that he wants to go all in with the tariffs and someone pulls him back from the ledge of going all in with the tariffs."

• Mary Ilushna [05:10]: "Putin is presenting that as not just like a partisan thing but a basis of the entire country."

• Marsha Brown [08:23]: "Food banks around the country are an essential emergency sort of fallback for folks when they don't know where their next meal is coming from."

• FIFA’s Gianni Infantino: "My relationship with Trump is absolutely crucial."

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "Apple News Today" podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.