NPR News: 02-10-2025 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 10, 2025, 9AM EST

Hosted by NPR

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1. President Trump's Announcement of New Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Imports

Korva Coleman opens the episode by reporting that President Trump declared plans to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States. The specifics regarding the implementation timeline remain unclear. This move has prompted swift reactions from South Korea, a significant player in the U.S. steel market.

Anthony Kuhn provides detailed coverage from Seoul:

• South Korea's Response: Deputy Trade Minister Park Jong Won stated, “the government will work closely with industries and proactively respond to shifts in U.S. trade policy” (00:36).

• Trade Relations: South Korea accounts for approximately 13% of U.S. steel imports. The Trump administration previously imposed tariffs on Korean steel and aluminum, citing national security concerns. In 2018, these tariffs were waived for exports within certain quotas. It remains uncertain whether the current administration will maintain or eliminate these quotas.

• Impact on U.S. Market: Increased Korean steel exports support U.S. manufacturing, including facilities like Hyundai Motors in Alabama and Georgia, and LG Electronics in Tennessee and Texas.

2. Reciprocal Tariffs and China's Retaliation

Korva Coleman continues with President Trump's intention to announce reciprocal tariffs on other countries within the week. This announcement coincides with China imposing 10% to 15% tariffs on U.S. products, including farm products and crude oil (01:17).

3. Actions Against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The episode highlights significant developments concerning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):

• Agency Shutdown: Work at the CFPB has been slowed down, with staff instructed to work from home as the bureau's Washington headquarters closed for the week (01:17).

• Intervention by Elon Musk's Team: Members of Elon Musk's government efficiency team were observed at the CFPB headquarters, gaining access to key systems. This has raised alarms about the security of sensitive information.

• Leadership Change: Over the weekend, Russell Vogt assumed the role of acting director and directed staff to cease virtually all operations. He publicly stated on X, “I will not ask for the agency's next round of funding from the Federal Reserve” (01:46).

• Union Response: The CFPB union has filed a lawsuit, asserting that the acting chief lacks the legal and constitutional authority to halt the bureau’s functions.

• Public Concern: CFPB staff warn that the shutdown leaves American families vulnerable to fraud and financial abuse (01:46).

4. Potential Targeting of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The discussion shifts to possible actions against FEMA:

• Kristi Noem's Statement: New Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her desire to restructure FEMA, emphasizing a reduction in bureaucracy to expedite disaster response. She stated, “You need to let the local officials make the decisions on how that is deployed so it can be deployed much quicker and we don't need this bureaucracy” (02:53).

5. Senate Vote on Tulsi Gabbard's Nomination as Director of National Intelligence

Korva Coleman reports that the Senate is scheduled to vote on the nomination of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for the position of Director of National Intelligence:

• Nomination Progress: The Senate Intelligence Committee advanced Gabbard’s nomination to the full Senate last week.

• Controversies: Gabbard has faced scrutiny regarding her knowledge of the role and allegations of echoing Russian propaganda. Additionally, her previous call for a pardon for Edward Snowden, which she later retracted, has been a point of contention.

• Bipartisan Support: Despite criticisms, Gabbard has garnered support from Republican senators (03:09).

6. Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl Victory

The episode celebrates the Philadelphia Eagles' triumph in their Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, concluding with a score of 40-22 (03:09).

Greg Eklund reports from New Orleans:

• Historical Context: This victory marks Philadelphia's second Super Bowl championship, following their loss in Super Bowl LVII two years prior.

• Game Highlights: The Eagles dominated the first half, leading 24-0 at halftime. Quarterback Jalen Hurts emphasized the team's focus on maintaining their lead: “You want to put a high value on finishing, having great focus and finishing, you know, and think about the last time we were in this game. We were up 10 at halftime” (04:20).

• Performance Accolades: Hurts was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, amassing 221 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 72 rushing yards with an additional score (04:12).

7. Extreme Cold Weather Warnings

Korva Coleman informs listeners about severe weather conditions:

• Northern Plains Alert: Extreme cold warnings have been issued for the Northern Plains, with wind chills potentially dropping to 50 degrees below zero in areas such as Montana, North Dakota, and Northwestern Minnesota (04:34).

• West Coast Conditions: Northern regions of California, Oregon, and Washington State are also bracing for very cold weather (04:34).

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Notable Quotes:

• Deputy Trade Minister Park Jong Won: “The government will work closely with industries and proactively respond to shifts in U.S. trade policy.” (00:36)

• Jalen Hurts: “You want to put a high value on finishing, having great focus and finishing, you know, and think about the last time we were in this game. We were up 10 at halftime.” (04:20)

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This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of significant political and economic developments, sports achievements, and weather alerts, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the latest happenings both nationally and internationally.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump says today he'll announce new tariffs of 25% on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. it's not clear when these could take effect, but but South Korean officials and steel makers held an emergency meeting today. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports in Seoul. South Korea accounts for about 13% of U.S. steel imports.

[Anthony Kuhn]

@ the meeting, Deputy Trade Minister Park Jong Won said the government will work closely with industries and proactively respond to shifts in U.S. trade policy. The first Trump administration also hit Korean steel and aluminum exports with tariffs, citing national security. But in 2018, they waived the tariffs for exports within certain quotas. It's not clear whether the second Trump administration intends to keep or scrap those quotas. South Korea has exported more steel to the US in part to supply Korean companies producing for the US Market. Those include Hyundai Motors plants in Alabama and Georgia, and LG Electronics factories in Tennessee and Texas. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump also says he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs this week on other countries. The this comes as China imposes tariffs today on U.S. products of 10 to 15%. These include farm products and U.S. crude oil. The work at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been slowed down. Staffers were told the bureau's Washington headquarters are closed for the week and they should work at home. NPR's Laurel Walmsley reports. It's the latest indication the Trump administration is trying to shut down the agency.

[Laurel Wamsley]

CFPB staff were told of the closure in an email obtained by npr. No reason was given for the building's closure. Representatives of Elon Musk's government efficiency team were seen at the headquarters on Friday. According to the CFPB union, Musk's team has been granted access to key systems, stirring concerns about the fate of vast amounts of sensitive information maintained by the bureau. Over the weekend, Russell Vogt took over as acting director at the agency and issued a directive for staff to cease virtually all of its work. Vogt posted on X that he will not ask for the agency's next round of funding from the Federal Reserve. CFPB staff warn that without the agency doing its job, American families are left exposed to fraud and financial abuse. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

A union for agency workers has now filed a lawsuit. The workers say the acting chief does not have the legal or constitutional power to stop the bureau's work. Another agency that could be targeted by the Trump administration is the Federal Emergency Management Agency. New Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says she wants an end to how FEMA exists today.

[Kristi Noem]

We still need the resources and the funds and the finances to go to people that have these types of disasters like Hurricane Helene and the fires in California. But you need to let the local officials make the decisions on how that is deployed so it can be deployed much quicker and we don't need this bureaucracy.

[Korva Coleman]

She spoke to cnn, State of the Union. You're listening to npr. The Senate is scheduled to vote later this afternoon on the nomination of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be the director of National Intelligence. The Senate Intelligence Committee advanced her nomination to the full Senate last week. She faced questions about her knowledge of the job and was accused of echoing Russian propaganda. Gabbard had also previously called for a pardon for leaker Edward Snowden, but reversed herself. Gabbard rejected other criticisms and won support from Republican senators. The Philadelphia Eagles won their super bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs last night, 40:22. Greg Eklund reports from New Orleans. This is Philadelphia's second Super bowl championship.

[Greg Eklund]

After losing Super Bowl LVII two years ago in Phoenix. The Eagles rebounded for their first super bowl win since 2018. They opened up a 24 to nothing halftime lead and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts says they didn't want to let up in the second half.

[Jalen Hurts]

You want to put a high value on finishing, having great focus and finishing, you know, and think about the last time we were in this game. We were up 10 and a halftime.

[Greg Eklund]

Hurts was named the game's most valuable player. He finished with 221 passing yards and threw two touchdowns. He also rushed for 72 yards and another score. For NPR News, I'm Greg Eklund in New Orleans.

[Korva Coleman]

Weather forecasters have issued extreme cold warnings for the Northern Plains. Wind chills may fall to 50 degrees below zero in Montana, North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota. More very cold weather is expected in Northern California, Oregon and Washington State. This is npr.

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