NPR News Now: February 13, 2025, 9 PM EST

Released February 14, 2025

Presidential Diplomacy and Trade Tensions: Trump Meets Modi

In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Donald Trump met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House to discuss strengthening defense and economic ties between the two nations. The meeting, however, was overshadowed by the administration's announcement of reciprocal tariffs targeting countries globally, including India.

Key Points:

• Trade Disparities: President Trump expressed frustration over India's high tariff rates on U.S. imports. During the joint press conference, he stated, “[00:57] I had discussions with India in the first term about the fact that their tariffs were very high and I was unable to get a concession. So we're just going to do it the easy way and we're just going to say whatever you charge, we charge.”

• Tariff Implementation: The Trump administration has indicated that the new tariffs will not be implemented until April at the earliest, marking a significant shift in trade relations.

• Negotiations Ahead: Despite the tariff threat, Trump mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has agreed to commence negotiations aimed at resolving long-standing trade imbalances, with the objective of finalizing an agreement.

Legal Challenges to USAID Staffing Changes

A federal judge has extended the suspension of the Trump administration's plan to place over 2,000 employees from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on paid leave for an additional week. This decision comes amidst mounting legal challenges to the administration's authority over the agency.

Key Points:

• Current Status: U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols has preserved the halt on the administration's plan beyond February 21st, maintaining the status quo that prevents further reductions in USAID staffing.

• Impact on Employees: The uncertainty has created anxiety among USAID employees, particularly those based overseas. Susan Reichley, a retired senior career officer for USAID, highlighted the personal toll, stating, “[02:00] People are living in fear because it's not as though they come home and they have a house to return to and their kids automatically go into a school. They have no idea what their future holds in court.”

• Administration Justification: The Trump administration contends that the review of USAID is necessary to ensure alignment with the president’s foreign policy objectives. Critics argue that this overextends executive power over an agency established by Congress.

Federal Workforce Reductions: Energy Department Firings

Today, numerous early-career federal employees across several agencies, including the Department of Energy, were terminated. These firings predominantly affect probationary employees who have been with the federal government for less than two years.

Key Points:

• Scope of Firings: According to sources, these employees are being dismissed without prior notice or severance packages, raising concerns about the administration's handling of federal staffing.

• Department Implications: The Department of Energy, responsible for a broad range of activities from renewable energy funding to maintaining nuclear arsenals, has not yet issued a statement regarding the layoffs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Appointed as Health and Human Services Secretary

In a controversial move, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been sworn in as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) following his Senate confirmation. His appointment has sparked opposition from both Democrats, due to his vaccine skepticism, and conservatives, regarding his previous stance on abortion.

Key Points:

• Senate Confirmation: Despite fierce opposition, Kennedy secured his position, taking over a department that manages essential programs like Medicaid and Medicare, covering approximately 140 million Americans.

• Policy Oversight: As the new HHS Secretary, Kennedy will oversee vaccine policy, a role that has ignited concern given his prominence as a vaccine skeptic.

US Foreign Assistance Freeze Impacts MPOX Control in Africa

Africa's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported that the suspension of U.S. foreign assistance is severely hindering efforts to control the spread of MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox) in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Key Points:

• Funding Cuts: The U.S. had previously funded critical aspects of the MPOX response in the DRC, including training health workers and supplying diagnostic kits. Ngashi Ngongo from Africa CDC noted the cessation of support for transporting suspected MPOX samples to laboratories for testing.

• Operational Challenges: “[04:30] Equipment for laboratory capacity is being scaled up,” but logistics have become problematic without U.S. support, making sample transportation a significant obstacle.

• Additional Struggles: Rebel violence in eastern DRC, the epicenter of the outbreak, has further complicated MPOX control efforts, exacerbating the public health crisis.

Financial Markets Update

U.S. financial markets saw positive movements as futures contracts indicated a rise across all three major indices. By the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up by 342 points, and the NASDAQ increased by 295 points, reflecting investor optimism amid the day's news.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments presented in the NPR News Now episode released on February 14, 2025. For a comprehensive understanding, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.