NPR News Now: February 27, 2025
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: February 27, 2025
Time: 12 PM EST
U.S. Imposes Tariffs on the European Union
President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from the European Union (EU), labeling the bloc as a group "created to undermine the United States" (00:17). This move marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and its long-standing European allies.
EU Response
Kaia Kallis, the EU Foreign Policy Chief, responded by emphasizing the foundational purpose of the EU. At 00:28, she stated, "The EU was formed so there would not be any more wars in Europe," questioning Trump's characterization of the bloc. Kallis highlighted the need to maintain strong alliances, especially in the context of current global challenges.
Ukraine's Path to NATO Membership
Amidst rising geopolitical tensions, there are increasing discussions about making Ukraine a member of NATO in response to Russia's ongoing invasion. An unnamed analyst provided a broader perspective on global security dynamics at 00:46:
"If we don't get Russia right, we don't get China right either. And it's clear that Iran, Russia, North Korea, and more covertly China are working together to establish a new world order where might makes right. And that is dangerous to everybody, including the United States."
This statement underscores the interconnectedness of international relations and the potential domino effect that regional conflicts can have on global stability.
Legal Challenges to Federal Workforce Terminations
A federal judge in California is set to hear arguments regarding the administration's decision to fire thousands of federal workers (01:17). Labor unions, representing sectors such as VA nurses and Forest Service employees, argue that these dismissals were unjustified. Andrea Hsu from NPR elaborated:
"They were among those told they were being fired for performance reasons, even though many of them had received positive performance reviews. Attorneys for the unions argued that the agencies themselves had no plans to fire these employees and only did so at the direction of the Office of Personnel Management." (01:27)
The Office of Personnel Management has denied the existence of any mass termination program, maintaining that agencies independently decided whom to terminate.
Suspension of Education Department Official Peggy Carr
In education news, Peggy Carr, the head of the nation's primary student testing program, has been suspended by President Trump (02:03). The program, often referred to as the nation's report card, is pivotal in assessing K-12 student achievement in subjects like math and reading.
Alyssa Nadworny provided further insights:
"Peggy Carr was appointed by President Joe Biden and had worked at the National Center for Education Statistics, which runs the test for nearly three decades. The Education Department's press office confirmed her leave but did not provide any reason." (02:14)
Recent data released in January indicated that while there were marginal improvements, 4th and 8th graders in 2024 are still performing below pre-pandemic levels. The Trump administration has criticized these results as "unacceptable" and a cause for significant concern.
Gene Hackman's Passing
In a somber cultural highlight, renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home during a welfare check (03:45). Hackman, aged 95, had a storied career spanning decades with iconic roles such as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde, Popeye Doyle in The French Connection, and Lex Luthor in Superman.
Colin Dwyer reflected on Hackman's legacy:
"Gene Hackman's career didn't exactly begin promisingly. Famously, the actor even got voted 'Least Likely to Succeed' while at the Pasadena Playhouse. Years later, though, a trickle of gigs became a flood of famous roles." (04:01)
Hackman retired after a prolific career, leaving behind two Oscars and a lasting impact on the film industry.
Delay of Tariffs on Canada and Mexico
President Trump has revised his tariff implementation timeline on Canada and Mexico. Initially set to take effect on March 4, the tariffs have been postponed to April 2 (02:59). This delay provides allies with a one-month reprieve.
The Commerce Secretary indicated that the postponement is contingent upon progress in slowing the flow of fentanyl traffic from these countries. At 03:27, Trump announced the new effective date, aligning the tariff strategy with broader efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Market Update
The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an increase of 296 points during the reporting period, reflecting investor reactions to the day's news events.
Notable Quotes:
- Kaia Kallis: "The EU was formed so there would not be any more wars in Europe." (00:28)
- Unnamed Analyst: "If we don't get Russia right, we don't get China right either..." (00:46)
- Colin Dwyer on Gene Hackman: "Gene Hackman's career didn't exactly begin promisingly..." (04:01)
Timestamps:
- 00:17 – Trump's Tariff Announcement
- 00:28 – EU's Response
- 00:46 – Analyst on Global Security
- 01:17 – Legal Hearing on Federal Terminations
- 01:27 – Union Arguments
- 02:03 – Suspension of Peggy Carr
- 02:14 – Details on Student Performance
- 02:59 – Delay of Tariffs
- 03:27 – Reason for Tariff Delay
- 03:45 – Death of Gene Hackman
- 04:01 – Hackman's Career Reflection
This summary encapsulates the key discussions from the NPR News Now episode released on February 27, 2025, providing an in-depth overview of the major topics covered, complete with notable quotes and proper attributions.