NPR News: 03-11-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of March 11, 2025, 2PM EDT Episode

Released on March 11, 2025

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U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions Escalate

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Danielle Kurtzleben

President Donald Trump has intensified his administration's tariff strategy by announcing plans to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, up from the previously stated 25%. This decision comes amidst escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada.

“Trump had already set blanket 25% steel and aluminum tariffs to go into effect at midnight. But in a social media post Tuesday, the president said he would specifically set the tariffs for Canada at 50%.”
— Danielle Kurtzleben, [00:33]

The move is a retaliatory response to Ontario's 25% surcharge on all electricity exports to the U.S., which itself was a reaction to Trump's initial tariffs on Canadian goods. This latest escalation contributes to the unpredictability surrounding Trump's tariff policies, causing unease in both the stock markets and among consumers.

Economic Outlook and Potential Recession

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Spokesperson: Caroline Levitt

Amidst the ongoing trade disputes, President Trump has not dismissed the possibility of a recession in the current year. When questioned, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt reflected the President's sentiment:

“As President Trump has said, and I'm here to echo the remarks of this president of this White House, we are in a period of economic transition.”
— Caroline Levitt, [01:18]

Assessing Trump's Economic Legacy

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Source: FactCheck.org

Trump has criticized his predecessor for leaving an economic "mess." However, FactCheck.org reported in February 2024 that since the start of the Biden administration, the U.S. economy has added nearly 14.8 million jobs. Despite this job growth, consumer prices have continued to rise, with the Federal Reserve's efforts to curb inflation achieving only a modest reduction to around 3% from higher rates.

Government Funding and Potential Shutdown

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a continuing resolution intended to keep federal agencies funded through September 30th, thereby averting a partial government shutdown. The GOP majority faces a Friday deadline to pass the bill, but Democratic leaders have signaled strong opposition, raising concerns about the potential for a shutdown if an agreement isn't reached.

Southwest Airlines Alters Baggage Policies

Reporter: Katherine Hobbs (KERA)

Southwest Airlines is making significant changes to its baggage policy, ending its long-standing tradition of offering free checked bags to most customers, effective May 28. The new policy restricts free checked bags to top-tier Rapid Rewards members, those purchasing Business Select tickets, and passengers with Southwest credit cards. Additionally, the airline is introducing a basic economy fare, modifying its Rapid Rewards program, and ending its open seating policy later this year.

“The new bag policy allows only top tier rapid rewards, a list preferred members and those purchasing Business select tickets to check two free bags...”
— Katherine Hobbs, [02:21]

Experts warn that these changes could negatively impact customer loyalty. The decision comes as Southwest faces pressure from an activist investor to improve performance in the post-pandemic landscape, especially after experiencing a major operational meltdown during the 2022 holiday season, which resulted in thousands of flight cancellations.

Market Movements and Brief News Highlights

Host: Lakshmi Singh

The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant drop, falling by 530 points (1.2%) to 41,381. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also saw declines of 47 and 54 points, respectively.

In other news:

• Art Custody Battle: The 16th-century Antonio Solerio painting, "The Madonna and Child," remains at the center of a prolonged legal dispute. Stolen over half a century ago from a museum in northern Italy, the artwork was later acquired by a baron and relocated to his residence in eastern England. The baron's widow is currently contesting ownership, seeking to retain the valuable piece.

• Lincoln Center's Historic Donation: Philanthropists Lynn and Richard Pascalano have donated $50 million to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, marking the largest gift in the institution's history. This generous contribution aims to transform contemporary dance programming by supporting global dance performances and nurturing the next generation of dance artists.

“The $50 million donation comes from philanthropists Lynn and Richard Pascalano. The goal? Transform Lincoln center contemporary dance programming.”
— Elizabeth Blair, [03:41]

Lincoln Center, home to prestigious institutions like Juilliard and the New York City Ballet, acknowledges the significance of this donation, especially as the contemporary dance community continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Trump Acquires a Tesla

Reporter: Caroline Levitt

In a lighter segment, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt announced that President Trump is acquiring a Tesla vehicle. While Tesla is led by Elon Musk, a key figure in Trump's new cost-cutting government entity, Doge, it remains uncertain whether the President intends to personally drive the new electric vehicle.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates the latest developments in U.S. politics, economic policies, corporate changes, and cultural news, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of significant events shaping the current landscape.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump says he plans to set tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum at double the rate from what he'd planned of other countries. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports. It's the latest in Trump's unpredictable tariff policy, which is ratt the U.S. economy.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Trump had already set blanket 25% steel and aluminum tariffs to go into effect at midnight. But in a social media post Tuesday, the president said he would specifically set the tariffs for Canada at 50%. Trump said the move was in response to Ontario adding a 25% surcharge to all electricity exports to the US that surcharge was itself in response to Trump imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. Trump's second term has thus far been marked by a series of tariffs alternately imposed, threatened and delayed. The uncertainty has rattled stock markets and consumer sentiment. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump is not ruling out the possibility of a recession this year. White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt was asked about that a short time ago.

[Caroline Levitt]

As President Trump has said, and I'm here to echo the remarks of this president of this White House, we are in a period of economic transition.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Trump accuses his predecessor of leaving behind an economic mess. FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy center, said in February of 2024 that the economy had added nearly 14.8 million jobs since the start of the Biden administration. However, consumer prices also continued to climb during that time. The Fed implemented an aggressive campaign to get the rate of inflation down to 2%. It's now around 3%. The U.S. house is expected to hold a vote today on a continuing resolution that averts a partial government shutdown. The bill would keep agencies funded through September 30th. The GOP majority is facing a Friday deadline, but Democratic leaders have said they will oppose the bill. Southwest Airlines will no longer offer free checked bags for most customers. Katherine Hobbs from member station Kera reports those changes will go into effect starting May 28.

[Katherine Hobbs]

The new bag policy allows only top tier rapid rewards, a list preferred members and those purchasing Business select tickets to check two free bags, a list members and passengers with Southwest credit cards can check one bag for free. This change breaks Southwest's decades of long standing tradition, and experts say it could impact customer loyalty. The airline is also rolling out a basic economy fare, modifying its rapid rewards program and ending its open seating policy later this year. The change comes as the airline faces pressure from an activist investor to rebound in a post pandemic world and in the wake of the disastrous 2022 holiday meltdown in which Southwest was forced to cancel thousands of flights. I'm Katherine Hobbs in Dallas.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The dow is down 464 points. This is NPR News. The Madonna and Child is at the center of a custody battle. The 16th century Antonio Solerio painting was stolen more than half a century ago from a museum in northern Italy. It was later purchased by a baron and taken to a home in eastern England. The baron's widow wants to keep it. Lincoln center for the Performing arts has received $50 million for dance initiatives. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports. It's the largest gift in the New York institution's history.

[Elizabeth Blair]

The $50 million donation comes from philanthropists Lynn and Richard Pascalano. The goal? Transform Lincoln center contemporary dance programming. In a statement, Lincoln center says the money will support contemporary dance performances from across the globe and the next generation of dance artists. The center's president and CEO, Marico Silver notes these are challenging times for the contemporary dance community as we continue recovering from the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. Lincoln center is home to Juilliard, the renowned New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet, both co founded by George Balanchine. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump's getting a Tesla. That's what White House press secretary Caroline Levitt told reporters today. Tesla's led by Elon Musk, Trump's point man on the sweeping government cost cutting entity we know as Doge. Now, whether President Trump plans to drive his new Tesla, that remains to be seen. The Dow is now down 530 points, or 1.2%, at 41,381. The S&P is down 47. The Nasdaq is down 54 points. This is NPR News.

[Carvana]

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