NPR News: 03-04-2025 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: March 4, 2025, 9 AM EST

Host: NPR

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U.S. Imposes Significant Tariffs on Imports

Timestamp: [00:16]

President Donald Trump has enacted substantial tariffs affecting international trade dynamics. Overnight, a 25% tariff was imposed on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, accompanied by an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The administration justifies these measures as efforts to curb illegal drug trafficking into the United States. However, the tariffs are expected to have broader economic repercussions.

Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers

David Shaper reports from Chicago on the manufacturing sector's response. Many manufacturers anticipate increased production costs due to these tariffs and plan to pass these expenses onto American consumers. This shift is evident in the housewares industry, where higher tariffs on items like kitchenware are already causing concern.

Jan Murtaugh’s Insight at the Trade Show

At the International Housewares Association's annual trade show in Chicago, Jan Murtaugh showcased her company's latest product, a Bluetooth-enabled meat thermometer. She highlighted the product's convenience, stating:

“Temperatures will come to your phone, and so it's a convenience thing.” [00:52]

Murtaugh expressed apprehension about the tariffs on goods produced in China, Mexico, and Canada, emphasizing that increased costs might deter consumers from purchasing such high-tech devices:

“It gets to the point you don't want to pay, it's just too expensive and you can live without it.” [01:08]

She further noted the anxiety among U.S. housewares manufacturers regarding potential retaliatory tariffs, which could significantly harm their businesses.

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Israeli Finance Minister’s Strategic Visit to Washington

Timestamp: [01:23]

Israeli Finance Minister Betsalil Smotrich is set to visit Washington to engage with U.S. Treasury officials, marking the first in-person discussions between his office and the Trump administration. NPR’s Hadil Al Shalchi covers the developments.

Strengthening Economic and Strategic Ties

Betsalil Smotrich articulated his goals for the meeting, stating:

“To strengthen economic cooperation and deepen a strategic alliance between the two countries.” [01:38]

Smotrich is known for his strong advocacy of Israeli settlements and has publicly supported controversial policies, including the proposed dislocation of Palestinians from Gaza. He remarked on the political landscape in Israel, indicating that the administration's support is crucial for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership:

“The Israeli government is still standing because he's been promised there will be a war against Hamas threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ability to stay in power.” [01:38]

Smotrich's visit underscores the complex interplay between economic agreements and geopolitical strategies in U.S.-Israeli relations.

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Measles Outbreak in Texas Sparks Vaccination Efforts

Timestamp: [02:16]

Texas health officials have reported at least 146 measles cases, predominantly among unvaccinated individuals. Tragically, one unvaccinated child has succumbed to the disease. This public health crisis comes amid mixed messages from political figures regarding vaccination.

Health Secretary's Advocacy for Vaccination

New U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite his personal skepticism about vaccines, penned an editorial for Fox News advocating for measles vaccination:

“Science and public health shouldn't be things that divide us. But the reality is there's an enormous amount of misinformation out there. And for the secretary to state that vaccination is important is helpful.” [02:44]

Dr. Preeti Malani, an infectious disease physician at the University of Michigan, echoed this sentiment:

“I am heartened by the fact that there are reports on the ground in Texas and other places is that families are coming with their children who haven't been vaccinated to be vaccinated.” [02:44]

These endorsements are crucial in combating misinformation and encouraging vaccination uptake to control the outbreak.

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Pope Francis Remains in Stable Condition Following Health Issues

Timestamp: [03:09]

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is currently stable after experiencing new breathing difficulties. The pontiff remains hospitalized in Rome, continuing to receive oxygen without mechanical assistance. Recent procedures were performed to alleviate mucus accumulation, ensuring his ongoing recovery.

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Liu Jiakun Honored with the Pritzker Prize for Architectural Excellence

Timestamp: [03:45]

The prestigious Pritzker Prize has been awarded to Liu Jiakun, a renowned Chinese architect. NPR’s Netta Ulaby provides an in-depth look at Liu’s contributions to architecture.

Innovative Contributions and Resilience

Born in 1956, Liu Jiakun was among the first architects in China to establish a private firm. His diverse portfolio includes museums, university buildings, and even a unique maternity ward for pandas at a research institution in Chengdu. Liu's resilience was notably demonstrated following the devastating 2008 earthquake, where his firm created rebirth bricks from rubble to aid in reconstruction efforts:

“Each brick contained a visible memory of what came before.” [04:20]

These bricks were instrumental in rebuilding both village structures and public buildings, symbolizing renewal and remembrance. Liu’s philosophy integrates memory and functionality, earning him global recognition and the Pritzker Prize.

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Wildfires and Mardi Gras: Environmental and Cultural Updates

Timestamp: [04:27]

Wildfire Near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

A wildfire adjacent to Myrtle Beach has expanded to over 2,000 acres, with containment efforts still less than one-third complete. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as environmental conditions fluctuate.

Mardi Gras Adjustments in New Orleans

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras parades are underway with some route modifications due to high wind threats. Authorities warn of the potential for powerful storms later in the day, which could disrupt festivities and pose safety concerns to participants and spectators alike.

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NPR News Now provides concise, up-to-the-minute news coverage, ensuring listeners stay informed on critical developments both domestically and internationally.

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This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the key news stories and their detailed analyses.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump has imposed 25% tariffs overnight on goods from Canada and Mexico. He imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. He says it's to stop illegal drug trafficking into the U.S. but many manufacturers are bracing for higher costs they say they will pass on to American consumers. David Schaper reports from Chicago. It will cost more for items such as kitchenware.

[Jan Murtaugh]

At the International Housewares Association's annual trade show here in Chicago, Jan Murtaugh is showing off her company CDN's latest innovation, a Bluetooth enabled meat thermometer.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Temperatures will come to your phone, and so it's a convenience thing.

[Jan Murtaugh]

The high tech device is one of many made in China, Mexico and Canada that will be heavily tariffed, a cost Murtaugh says will be passed on to consumers who then may not want to shell out the higher price.

[Unnamed Speaker]

It gets to the point you don't want to pay, it's just too expensive and you can live without it.

[Jan Murtaugh]

And housewares manufacturers in the US Fear retaliatory tariffs on their products could hurt their businesses. For NPR News, I'm David Shaper in Chicago.

[Korva Coleman]

The Israeli finance minister is in Washington this week to meet with U.S. treasury officials. NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi reports. This would be the first in person talks between the finance minister and President Trump's administration.

[Betsalil Smotrich]

Israeli Finance Minister Betsalil Smotrich said he will meet with U.S. treasury Secretary Scott Besant to, quote, strengthen economic cooperation and deepen a strategic alliance between the two countries. Smotic is an ardent advocate of Israeli settlements and has called for the Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. He welcomed President Trump's proposal of displacing Palestinians from Gaza to other countries and rebuilding the Strip under US Ownership. Smotic said the Israeli government is still standing because he's been promised there will be a war against Hamas threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ability to stay in power. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

Health officials in Texas say at least 146 people have the measles in that state and most of them are not vaccinated. One unvaccinated child is dying. New U.S. health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is a known vaccine skeptic over the weekend, he wrote an editorial for FOX News voicing support for the measles vaccine. Dr. Preeti Malani is an infectious disease physician at the University of Michigan.

[Dr. Preeti Malani]

Science and public health shouldn't be things that divide us. But the reality is there's an enormous amount of misinformation out there. And for the secretary to state that vaccination is important is helpful. And I am heartened by the fact that there are reports on the ground in Texas and other places is that families are coming with their children who haven't been vaccinated to be vaccinated.

[Korva Coleman]

She spoke to NPR's Morning Edition. This is NPR. The Vatican says Pope Francis slept through the night overnight and continues to rest in a Rome hospital. He is in stable condition. The pontiff continues to receive oxygen, although not with help from a machine. This came after he had new breathing problems. Francis had two procedures to clear away mucus. The winner of architecture's most prestigious award has been announced today. As NPR's Netta Ulaby reports, this year's Pritzker Prize has been awarded to an architect from China.

[Liu Jiakun]

Liu Jiakun was born in 1956. He was one of the first architects to start a private firm in China. He's mostly worked there throughout his career, designing museums, university buildings, even a maternity ward for pandas at a research institution in Chengdu. Liu told NPR through his translator, his 24 year old son Martin, that after a deadly earthquake in 2008, his his firm made bricks from the rubble. They became known as rebirth bricks because of what they were used for, like.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Reconstructions of some buildings in villages and also some public buildings in the city.

[Liu Jiakun]

Each brick, he said, contained a visible memory of what came before. Neda Ulabi, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Officials in South Carolina say a wildfire near the coastal city of Myrtle beach has now grown to more than 2000 acres. It is less than a third contained. Mardi Gras parades are rolling this morning in New Orleans, but some routes have been adjusted or shortened. There's a high wind threat today. Powerful storms could rake New Orleans later this afternoon. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.

[Pemco Mutual Insurance Company]

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