NPR News: 03-12-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 12, 2025, 7AM EDT

NPR’s Korva Coleman presents a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in U.S. politics, international relations, economic policies, and significant incidents shaping the news landscape.

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U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Take Effect Amid Global Trade Tensions

At the outset of the episode, Korva Coleman announces the enforcement of President Trump’s 25% tariffs on all U.S. imports of steel and aluminum. This strategic move targets key foreign suppliers, notably Canada, which accounts for approximately a quarter of the U.S.’s steel and half of its aluminum imports.

Scott Horsley elaborates on the economic ramifications at [00:29]:

“Foreign countries supply about a quarter of all the steel used in the US and about half of all the aluminum. Those imports are subject to a 25% tax, which could raise the price of everything from building materials to canned soda pop.”

Horsley highlights that while Trump initially considered doubling the tariffs on Canadian imports, he retracted after Ontario agreed to cease taxing electricity exports to the U.S. Nonetheless, the global response remains tense as other nations threaten retaliatory tariffs on American exports. This escalating trade war has adversely affected the stock market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting over 2,400 points since last week.

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Government Spending Bill Advances to Senate Amid Shutdown Fears

Transitioning to domestic politics, Coleman reports that the House has successfully passed a government spending bill, ensuring federal operations continue through the fiscal year’s end. However, the bill now faces a critical hurdle in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune underscores the necessity of bipartisan support at [01:45]:

“As you all know, it takes 60 votes in the Senate to pass an appropriations bill, so we're going to need some Democrats to vote for it.”

Despite the Republican majority in the Senate, overcoming a potential filibuster requires Democratic votes. The urgency is palpable, as failure to secure the bill could trigger a partial federal shutdown by late Friday night.

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Diplomatic Efforts Intensify: Ukraine Ceasefire and Middle East Negotiations

In international affairs, Coleman highlights significant diplomatic movements involving Ukraine and the Middle East.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces Ukraine’s readiness for a 30-day ceasefire following intense negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ([02:27]). He emphasizes the commitment to peace:

“And what we leave here with today is a commitment that the Ukrainians are ready to stop fighting. They're ready to stop the shooting so that they can get to the table and bring about peace for their country and for the world.” ([02:36])

This development comes after the Trump administration decided to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Despite these positive strides, the Kremlin remains silent, awaiting further details of the talks.

Simultaneously, Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, is actively mediating a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and facilitating discussions between Israel and Lebanon ([03:10]). Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv on the ongoing efforts to negotiate the release of hostages in Gaza, although significant progress remains elusive. Additionally, talks aim to resolve enduring border disputes and address the presence of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, with Israel agreeing to release five Lebanese detainees as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s new president.

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U.S. Department of Education Announces Major Workforce Reduction

Turning to domestic administrative news, Coleman reveals that the U.S. Department of Education is undertaking a substantial workforce reduction, cutting its staff by nearly 50% ([03:10]). Affected employees will commence administrative leave starting March 21. This move aligns with President Trump’s long-standing objective to dismantle the Education Department, reflecting a broader agenda to streamline federal agencies.

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Maritime Incident Off Britain’s East Coast Results in Arrest

In maritime news, British authorities have detained the captain of a cargo ship on suspicion of manslaughter following a collision with an oil tanker off Britain’s east coast ([03:50]). The tragic incident resulted in both vessels catching fire and an oil spill, with one crew member missing and presumed dead. This event underscores the persistent challenges of maritime safety and the severe consequences of navigational errors.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues affecting the United States and the world, delivering essential information with clarity and insight.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

On Korva Coleman, President Trump's 25% tariffs on all U.S. imports of steel and aluminum went into effect overnight. NPR Scott Horsley reports. Hours before the tariffs took effect, Trump backed off steeper levies on Canada.

[Scott Horsley]

Foreign countries supply about a quarter of all the steel used in the US and about half of all the aluminum. Those imports are subject to a 25% tax, which could raise the price of everything from building materials to canned soda pop. President Trump briefly threatened to double the tariff on imports from Canada, which is one of the United States biggest suppliers of steel and aluminum. But he stuck with the 25% levy after Ontario agreed to stop taxing electricity exports to the U.S. other countries have threatened to retaliate for the metal tariffs by slapping their own taxes on U.S. exports. The trade war has been a drag on the stock market since the beginning of last week. The Dow Jones industrial average has tumbled more than 2,400 points. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The tariff news comes ahead of a big report on consumer inflation due out this morning. Economists expect prices continue to rise in February and remain stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's target of an annual rate of 2%. The house has passed a government spending bill. It would fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year. In September, the bill passed mostly on Republican votes. It now moves to the Senate. Republicans have the majority there, but they need more support to overcome any potential filibuster. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says that means the ball is in Senate Democrats hands.

[Marco Rubio]

As you all know, it takes 60 votes in the Senate to pass an appropriations bill, so we're going to need some Democrats to vote for it.

[Korva Coleman]

There's also a deadline. If Congress does not pass a spending bill, the federal government will partially shut down late Friday night. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukraine is ready for a 30 day ceasefire and that the matter is now in Russia's court. This follows high level talks between US And Ukrainian officials yesterday. A Kremlin spokesman says Russia is waiting to learn the details of the talks and it can't comment yet. But NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports. The Trump administration has now decided to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Ukraine after marathon talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Secretary Rubio appeared before the reporters traveling with him to announce some diplomatic progress.

[Marco Rubio]

And what we leave here with today is a commitment that the Ukrainians are ready to stop fighting. They're ready to stop the shooting so that they can get to the table and bring about peace for their country and for the world.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Asked if President Trump's relations with his Ukrainian counterpart have been repaired after an explosive White House meeting, Rubio said, quote, this is not Mean Girls or some television show. He said, this is about stopping the fighting and starting negotiations. The US Is also resuming military and intelligence aid to Ukraine. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The U.S. department of Education says it is slashing its workforce. Agency leaders say they will reduce the Education Department staff by nearly 50%. Hundreds of affected workers will go on administrative leave starting March 21. President Trump has long promised to get rid of the education agency. President Trump's Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff is in Qatar. He's trying to negotiate a new cease fire deal between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. is also mediating new talks between Israel and Lebanon. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

An official familiar with the talks and not authorized to speak publicly tells NPR there are efforts to negotiate the release of more than half of the remaining hostages in Gaza, but that there isn't significant progress yet. Israel believes 24 hostages are still alive in Gaza and held by Palestinian militants. In Lebanon. Tuesday, Israeli and Lebanese officials held talks mediated by the US And France. They're trying to resolve long time border disputes and they discussed the five areas in southern Lebanon where Israeli troops remain despite a recent truce agreement, Israel agreed to release five Lebanese detainees as a gesture to Lebanon's new president when with hopes he will rein in the Hezbollah militia. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

British officials say they've arrested the captain of a cargo ship on suspicion of manslaughter. His vessel collided with an oil tanker this week off Britain's east coast. Both ships caught fire. The tanker is leaking oil. One crew member is missing and is now presumed dead. This is NPR support for npr.

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