NPR News: 03-12-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 03-12-2025 5PM EDT
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Jack Spear and Jackie Northam

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1. Canada Responds to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Canada has announced new tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of U.S. goods in retaliation to President Trump's recent imposition of levies on steel and aluminum imports. This move aims to protect Canada’s significant steel and aluminum industries, which are the largest foreign suppliers of these metals to the U.S.

Key Points:

• Dominic LeBlanc, Canadian Finance Minister, highlighted the impact of Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, stating they disrupt the trading partnership and increase costs for consumers on both sides.

  Dominic LeBlanc (00:33): "We will not stand idly by while our iconic steel and aluminum industries are being unfairly targeted."

• The retaliatory tariffs will also affect other sectors, including computers, sporting goods, tools, and cast iron products.

• Canada has signaled potential further retaliation if additional tariffs are imposed by the U.S.

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2. Russia Seeks Clarification on U.S.-Negotiated Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russia has expressed interest in understanding more about a 30-day ceasefire proposal negotiated by the U.S. for the Ukraine conflict. The proposal follows intensive discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials held in Saudi Arabia, leading to Kyiv’s agreement in exchange for sustained American military support.

Key Points:

• Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, indicated that Moscow is reviewing the public statements from the negotiations but awaits detailed information from U.S. negotiators before making a formal response.

  Dmitry Peskov (01:31): "Moscow was studying public statements out of the U.S.-Ukrainian talks... but we won't weigh in until we have detailed information."

• The U.S. delegation is expected to visit Moscow shortly, and President Trump plans to discuss the ceasefire directly with President Vladimir Putin.

• Despite diplomatic efforts, nationalist factions within Russia view the ceasefire as a strategic maneuver by Ukraine to mitigate Russian advances.

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3. U.S. Consumer Prices Rise Slower Than Expected

February’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows a 2.8% increase in consumer prices compared to the previous year, which is lower than economists had forecasted. This moderation is attributed to declining gasoline prices and stable grocery costs, although egg prices remain significantly high due to avian flu.

Key Points:

• Scott Horsley reports that inflation rose by just 0.2% between January and February, surpassing expectations thanks to reduced gasoline prices.

  Scott Horsley (02:21): "Prices rose just 0.2% between January and February, a smaller increase than the month before and less than forecasters had expected."

• Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, stands at 3.1% over the past year.

• The Federal Reserve is likely to keep interest rates steady in the upcoming policy meeting, responding to the cooling inflation trend.

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4. Stock Market Reacts to Inflation Data

Following the release of favorable inflation figures, the stock market experienced mixed movements. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 82 points, the Nasdaq Composite saw an increase of 212 points, reflecting investor response to the economic data.

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5. The Iditarod Trail Faces Climate Challenges

The renowned Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has been extended by over 100 miles due to insufficient snow cover, a consequence of rapidly warming temperatures in Alaska. This adjustment marks the fourth instance in the race’s history where the trail has been altered to accommodate climatic changes.

Key Points:

• Ava White reports that the unusual weather has necessitated a shift in the traditional route, impacting both competitors and the iconic sled dogs.

  Rick Thoman (03:38): "We need these leaner, shorter coated dogs to be able to handle the heat."

• Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at the University of Alaska, emphasizes that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are diminishing snow availability, affecting winter sports and traditional events like the Iditarod.

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6. NIH Investigates Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Eating Habits

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a new study to determine whether ultra-processed foods contribute to increased food consumption. This research is critical as such foods constitute over 70% of the U.S. food supply and have been associated with rising obesity and diabetes rates.

Key Points:

• The study aims to uncover the mechanisms by which processed foods may influence overeating and contribute to chronic health conditions.
• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the newly appointed Health Secretary under the Trump administration, underscores the importance of addressing dietary factors in combating obesity and related diseases.

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7. Crude Oil Prices Climb Amid Tight Inventories

Crude oil prices have surged by $1.43 per barrel, settling at $67.68 in New York. This increase is driven by reports indicating that oil and fuel inventories are tighter than expected, signaling potential supply constraints in the market.

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Conclusion

Today's NPR News Now episode covered significant developments in international trade tensions between Canada and the U.S., ongoing conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, economic indicators reflecting lower-than-expected inflation, stock market fluctuations, the impact of climate change on traditional events like the Iditarod, health research into processed foods, and rising oil prices.

For comprehensive insights and detailed analysis, listeners are encouraged to explore the full NPR coverage.

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This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on March 12, 2025. For more information, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

[Carvana Representative]

This message comes from Carvana. Finance your next car the convenient way with customizable, transparent terms all online. Make your budget work for you and swap hassle for convenience with Carvana.

[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Canada has announced new tariffs on roughly.

[Jackie Northam]

20 billion worth of U.S. goods. They'll go into effect Thursday. As NPR's Jackie Northam explains, the move.

[Jack Spear]

Is in retaliation to President Trump's imposing.

[Jackie Northam]

Global levies on steel and aluminum earlier today.

[Dominic LeBlanc]

The country is the biggest foreign supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S. canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says President Trump's decision to slap 25% tariffs on the metals creates disruption and disorder into the trading partnership and raises the costs of everyday goods for Canadian and American households.

We will not stand idly by while our iconic steel and aluminum industries are being unfairly targeted.

Along with aluminum and steel, the new Canadian tariffs will include computers, sporting goods, tools and cast iron products. LeBlanc says Canada could retaliate again if Trump imposes even more levies on Canadian metals. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Russia says it wants to hear more about a US negotiated 30 day ceasefire proposal for Ukraine.

[Jackie Northam]

Kyiv signed onto the deal following marathon talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. And NPR's Charles Mournes has more.

[Dmitry Peskov]

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was studying public statements out of the U. S. Ukrainian talks, which restored American military support for Kyiv in exchange for the ceasefire offer. But Peskov warned Moscow wouldn't weigh in until it had detailed information from the American negotiators, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Mike Waltz. A U.S. delegation is anticipated in Moscow in the coming days. President Trump has also said he expects to discuss the ceasefire proposal in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, more nationalist voices in Russia have condemned the offer as a diplomatic bid by Ukraine to stave off recent Russian gains on the battlefield. Charles Manes, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Prices for US consumers were up 2.8%.

[Jackie Northam]

In February compared to the same month a year ago. NPR Scott Horsley says that's less than what economists were expecting.

[Scott Horsley]

Prices rose just 0.2% between January and February, a smaller increase than the month before and less than forecasters had expected. Falling gasoline prices last month helped keep the overall inflation rate in check. Grocery prices were also flat, although egg prices continue to climb at a double digit pace. Egg prices have been soaring as avian flu weighs on the nation's flock of egg laying hens, stripping out volatile food and energy prices, so called core inflation over the last 12 months was 3.1%. The cooling inflation rate should come as a relief to watchdogs at the Federal Reserve. Nevertheless, the central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady when policymakers meet next week. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jackie Northam]

Stocks recovered somewhat today fueled by the inflation figures.

[Jack Spear]

The Dow was down 82 points, but.

[Jackie Northam]

The Nasdaq rose 212 points today. You're listening to NPR.

[Jack Spear]

The longest Iditarod Trail in the race's more than half a century history is.

[Jackie Northam]

Underway, began last week with hundreds of dogs. A winner is expected tomorrow. From Alaska Public Media, Ava White reports the trail grew by more than 100 miles at the last minute because there.

[Jack Spear]

Was not enough snow covering the usual route.

[Ava White]

Rookie musher Justin Olns says sparse snow coverage in warmer weather across the state doesn't just impact the Iditarod Trail.

[Rick Thoman]

Traditionally, when people think of sled dogs, they think of thick coated, larger, stockier breeds, and those are just not conducive anymore to the conditions that we have. We need these leaner, shorter coated dogs to be able to handle the heat.

[Ava White]

Human caused greenhouse gas pollution is rapidly warming Alaska, which means less snow for winter sports like the Iditarod. According to University of Alaska climate specialist Rick Thoman, this is the fourth time in history the Iditarod has moved north to Fairbanks because of low snow. For NPR News, I'm Ava White. And Unilaclete.

[Jack Spear]

Do ultra processed foods cause us to eat more?

[Jackie Northam]

It's a question the National Institutes of.

[Jack Spear]

Health is hoping to answer via a new study. The research into such foods and eating.

[Jackie Northam]

Habits comes at a time. Processed foods currently make up more than.

[Jack Spear]

70% of the US food supply.

[Jackie Northam]

Such foods have been linked to obesity.

[Jack Spear]

And diabetes, but it's not entirely clear why.

[Jackie Northam]

Addressing chronic disease is a major initiative of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Who is the Trump administration's new health secretary. Crude oil futures prices moved higher today, fueled in part by government numbers showing.

[Jack Spear]

Tighter than expected oil and fuel inventories.

[Jackie Northam]

Oil rose $1.43 a barrel to settle.

[Jack Spear]

At $67.68 a barrel.

[Jackie Northam]

In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.

[Carvana Representative]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's plus NPR.org.