NPR News: 03-12-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 12, 2025 Edition – Detailed Summary

Release Date: March 12, 2025 | Host: Giles Snyder

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1. Escalation in U.S.-Europe Trade War

Key Developments: President Donald Trump officially enacted a 25% tariff on all imported steel and aluminum at midnight Eastern Time, marking a significant escalation in his administration's trade war strategy.

European Retaliation: In response, the European Commission announced plans to impose countertariffs on $28 billion worth of American products starting next month.

Notable Quote: Giles Snyder reported at 00:11:

"The tariffs have drawn swift retaliation from Europe."

Implications: This tit-for-tat measure underscores the growing tensions between the U.S. and Europe, potentially impacting global trade dynamics and economic relations.

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2. U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions and Temporary Resolutions

Tariff Threats and Concessions: President Trump had threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, citing economic pressures. However, this decision was retracted after Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed to suspend a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to U.S. states such as New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Notable Quote: Jackie Northam reported at 01:04:

"Ford issued a statement saying he was suspending tariffs on Ontario electricity after a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick."

Market Reaction: The announcement initially caused stock markets to tumble, reflecting investor concern over the potential for an escalating trade conflict.

Further Developments: Trump later confirmed he would reverse his decision to double the metal tariffs, signaling a strategic retreat aimed at stabilizing trade relations and financial markets.

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3. Proposed Restrictions on Healthcare Access for DACA Recipients

CMS Policy Changes: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to limit access to Obamacare plans by excluding DACA-protected individuals from qualifying for government health insurance.

Background: The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was established to aid individuals brought to the U.S. as children without legal status. Under the Biden administration, DACA recipients were classified as "lawfully present," granting them eligibility for the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

Notable Quote: Jimena Bustillo reported at 01:56:

"The Trump administration hopes to undo a Biden era move of counting DACA recipients as 'lawfully present,' which means that they get access to Affordable Care Act and Medicaid coverage."

Legal and Social Impact: Nineteen states have initiated lawsuits to block this proposed rule change. The rollback could significantly reduce healthcare access for DACA recipients, though the finalization of these rules may take several months.

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4. U.S. Diplomatic Efforts Toward Ceasefire in Ukraine

Secretary Rubio’s Statement: Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the initiative for a ceasefire in Ukraine now rests with Russia. Speaking from Saudi Arabia after discussions with Ukrainian officials, Rubio expressed optimism for a peaceful resolution.

Notable Quote: Rubio stated at 02:35:

"Our hope is that the Russians will say yes, that they will also agree. So the shooting will stop, the killing will stop, the dying will stop, and the talks can begin about how to end this war permanently in a way that's acceptable and enduring for both sides."

Ukrainian Position and U.S. Support: Ukraine has shown willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire as part of broader peace talks. Concurrently, the Trump administration has lifted its suspension on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, signaling continued support.

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5. U.S. House Passes Stopgap Funding Bill Amid Shutdown Fears

Legislative Action: The Republican-led House successfully passed a stopgap funding bill with a narrow 217-213 vote, primarily along party lines. This bill is crucial to prevent a partial government shutdown scheduled for Friday night.

Next Steps: The bill now awaits Senate approval and President Trump’s signature to become law.

Impact of Potential Shutdown: Failure to pass the funding bill could lead to federal agencies scaling back operations, affecting various government services and employees.

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6. Proposed Safety Measures Following D.C. Airport Helicopter Collision

Incident Overview: A tragic collision between a helicopter and a passenger jet at Washington D.C. airport in January resulted in the deaths of 67 people. This incident has raised serious concerns about current aviation safety practices.

NTSB’s Response: National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy criticized existing protocols, emphasizing the need for immediate changes to prevent future tragedies.

Notable Quote: Giles Snyder conveyed at 02:54:

"She expressed anger that it took a collision that killed 67 people for it to come to light."

Proposed Changes: Federal investigators recommend implementing a ban on certain helicopter flights at the affected airport until new safety measures are established.

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7. Negligence Trial of Healthcare Professionals in Diego Maradona’s Death

Trial Commencement: In Argentina, the trial of seven healthcare professionals involved in the care of the late soccer legend Diego Maradona began on Tuesday. The defendants face negligence charges related to his death.

Defendants: The accused include Maradona’s neurosurgeon, psychiatrist, and several nurses. An additional nurse is scheduled to be tried separately by a jury.

Notable Quote: Carrie Kahn reported at 04:09:

"Maradona's neurosurgeon, who was also his personal physician for many years, had removed a blood clot from the soccer star's brain just weeks before he suffered a heart attack and died in 2010."

Prosecutorial Claims: Prosecutors allege that the medical staff were reckless for allowing Maradona to remain at home following his surgery, contributing to his untimely death at age 60.

Trial Details: The proceedings are expected to last up to four months, with the defendants facing potential sentences of up to 25 years in prison if convicted. The trial has garnered significant public attention, with many relatives and fans present.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments presented in the March 12, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and readers alike.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. The latest move in President Trump's trade war has begun. Trump's 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum took effect a couple of hours ago at midnight Eastern time. The tariffs have drawn swift retaliation from Europe. The European Commission says it will impose counterterroriffs on $28 billion worth of American products beginning next month. President Trump had threatened to double the tariffs on imports from Canada, one of the U.S. s biggest suppliers of steel and aluminum. But he backed off after Ontario Premier Doug Ford suspended plans to place a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to New York, Michigan, Michigan and Minnesota. As NPR's Jackie Northam reports, Premier Doug.

[Jackie Northam]

Ford issued a statement saying he was suspending tariffs on Ontario electricity after a meeting with U.S. commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. In a joint statement, the two men say they had a productive meeting about the economic relationship between the US And Canada and that they would meet Thursday in Washington for further talks. The statement caps another day of upheaval in the burgeoning trade war between the two countries. Stocks tumbled further after President Trump's threat to increase tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel. Trump later said he would reverse his decision to double the metal tariffs. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wants to limit who can access health care plans through Obamacare. And as NPR's Jimena Postillo reports, they're hoping to bar those protected from deportation under DACA from from qualifying for government health insurance.

[Jimena Bustillo]

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or daca, was meant to help people without legal status who were brought to the US as children. The Trump administration hopes to undo a Biden era move of counting DACA recipients as, quote, lawfully present, which means that they get access to Affordable Care act and Medicaid coverage. DACA recipients were already eligible to apply for some health services in the US including emergency Medicaid. 19 states tried to sue the Biden administration to block the move, but an appeals court allowed the government to expand the program. The new proposed rule to remove DACA recipients could take months to finalize. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the ball is now in Russia's court. When it comes to a ceasefire with.

[Marco Rubio]

Ukraine, our hope is that the Russians will say yes, that they will also agree. So the shooting will stop, the killing will stop, the dying will stop, and the talks can begin about how to end this war permanently in a way that's acceptable and enduring for both sides.

[Giles Snyder]

Rubio speaking in Saudi Arabia following talks there with Ukrainian officials. In a joint statement, Ukraine says it's open to a 30 day ceasefire in the war with Russia. Following the talks, the Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. This is NPR News. The Republican led House has passed a stopgap funding bill. The bill passed on a 217 to 213 largely party line vote. The bill still needs Senate approval and President Trump's signature. To avoid a Friday night partial government shutdown, federal investigators are recommending a ban on some helicopter flights. At the Washington, D.C. airport where a helicopter collided with a passenger jet in January, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy says current practice poses an intolerable risk. And she expressed anger that it took a collision that killed 67 people for it to come to light. In Argentina, the trial of health professionals caring for soccer legend Diego Maradona at the time of his death began Tuesday. Seven doctors and nurses and caregivers are facing negligence charges. Here's NPR's Carrie Kahn reporting.

[Carrie Kahn]

The seven professionals include Diego Maradona's neurosurgeon, psychiatrist and several nurses. Another nurse will be tried later by a jury. Maradona's neurosurgeon, who was also his personal physician for many years, had removed a blood clot from the soccer star's brain just weeks before he suffered a heart attack and died in 2010. Maradona was 60. Many relatives and fans of Argentina's beloved World cup winning star attended the first day of the trial. Prosecutors have said that Maradona's doctors and nurses were reckless for keeping him home following his surgery. The trial is expected to last as long as four months. The defendants face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Carrie Conn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr.

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