NPR News: 04-07-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

President Trump's Tariff Strategy and Global Market Reactions

In the early hours of April 7, 2025, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to imposing tariffs on imports from most countries worldwide. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump declared, “they'll stay in place until other countries even their trade with the US” (00:01), emphasizing his determination to protect American economic interests. He further stated, “I can tell you our country has gotten a lot stronger and eventually it'll be a country like no other. It'll be the most dominant country economically in the world” (00:20).

Trump's staunch stance has sparked significant concern in global financial markets. Shortly after his announcement, Asian markets reacted negatively, with Tokyo's Nikkei index plummeting nearly 8%. In response to the U.S. tariffs, Taiwan opted against retaliatory tariffs. Instead, Taiwanese officials announced plans to bolster U.S. investment. NPR’s Emily Fang reported that Taiwan's leading semiconductor manufacturer, TSMC, committed to investing an additional $100 billion in U.S. semiconductor facilities in Arizona. Additionally, Taiwan's President Lai Ching Te announced initiatives to increase purchases from the U.S. to mitigate trade deficits and eliminate non-trade barriers, signaling a strategic pivot towards deeper economic integration with the United States (00:51).

Midwest Flooding Devastates Communities

Severe weather continues to wreak havoc in the Midwest, where four consecutive days of intense rainfall have led to deadly floods across multiple states. As of the report, at least 18 lives have been lost due to the storms. In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear has issued urgent pleas for residents in several communities to relocate to higher ground amidst escalating floodwaters.

Karen Zar from member station WUKY detailed the dire situation, noting the extensive road closures and the deployment of 250 barricades from Chicago to manage traffic flow (01:38). Governor Beshear highlighted the ongoing threat, stating, “The rivers haven't crested in many areas of the state and so there are a day, if not several days left on this event” (02:10). Resilient swiftwater rescue teams are tirelessly working to save lives, including the tragic cases of a nine-year-old boy and a 74-year-old man who were swept away by the flooding (02:19).

Measles Outbreak and Vaccination Efforts in Texas

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Texas to address the severe measles outbreak affecting the region. This visit comes shortly after the death of a school-age child due to complications from the disease. Despite Kennedy's reputation as an anti-vaccine advocate, he underscored the critical role of vaccines in preventing measles transmission. “Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles,” Kennedy affirmed during his visit, reinforcing the importance of vaccination amidst public health crises (02:36).

Pope Francis' Surprise Appearance at St. Peter's Square

In a remarkable turn of events, Pope Francis made an unexpected appearance at St. Peter's Square on Sunday. Attenders were surprised as the Pope emerged from the hospital two months prior, participating in a special jubilee Mass. Crowds erupted in joy as Pope Francis was seen waving and being rolled unannounced to the front of the altar, marking his first public appearance since his hospitalization (02:36).

UConn Women's Basketball Secures Historic Championship Win

The University of Connecticut (UConn) made headlines by winning the women's college basketball championship with a decisive 82-59 victory over South Carolina. This triumph marks UConn's twelfth national title, making it the first basketball program, for both men and women, to achieve a dozen championships. Steve Futterman reported that UConn dominated the game from the outset, leading by ten points at halftime and maintaining their advantage throughout. Star players Az Fudd and Sarah Strong each contributed 24 points, while Paige Bueckers added 17 points in her final collegiate game, finally securing the national championship she had long sought (03:25).

Alex Ovechkin Breaks Hockey's Career Goals Record

In a historic moment for hockey, Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal during Washington Capitals' game against the New York Islanders, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's longstanding record. Despite missing 16 games this season due to a broken leg, the 39-year-old Russian forward achieved the milestone, solidifying his legacy as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer. Ovechkin's record-breaking goal not only cements his status among the sport's greats but also highlights his remarkable resilience and enduring talent (04:11).

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This summary was crafted based on the NPR News Now episode released on April 7, 2025, capturing key discussions and insights from the broadcast.

Transcript

[Dale Wilman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump says he won't back down and is sweeping tariffs on imports from most of the world. Speaking in Air Force One Sunday, he said they'll stay in place until other countries even their trade with the US and he says he's not concerned about major stock market losses that have occurred around the world since he announced those tariffs.

[Donald Trump]

Now what's going to happen with the market, I can't tell you. But I can tell you our country has gotten a lot stronger and eventually it'll be a country like no other. It'll be the most dominant country economically in the world.

[Dale Wilman]

Not long after Trump made his comments, markets opened in Asia, where shares nosedived. Tokyo's Nikkei index quickly dropped almost 8%. Taiwan says it will not pursue retaliatory tariffs against those placed upon them by the Trump administration. Instead, officials say they'll pursue more investment in the U.S. nPR's Emily Fang has more.

[Emily Fang]

The U.S. slapped a 32% base tariff on Taiwan, though that does not cover the semiconductor chips the US Relies on Taiwan for. Taiwan had tried to head off these American tariffs. Its top semiconductor making company, TSMC, promised to invest $100 billion more in the US to build semiconductor facilities in Arizona. And now Taiwan's president, Lai Ching Te says Taiwan will buy more from the US to reduce its trade deficit and reduce any other non trade barriers and export controls. He has also promised subsidies for Taiwanese companies affected by the US Tariffs and said Taiwan must stand firm and not be shaken by this turmoil. The Asian island relies on the US for defense against China, which has threatened to INV Taiwan. Emily Feng, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Wilman]

Four days of continuous rain has brought deadly flooding to several states in the Midwest. At least 18 deaths have been blamed on those storms so far. In Kentucky, meanwhile, the governor is asking people in several communities to move to higher ground. Karen Zar with member station WUKY reports.

[Karen Zar]

So many roads are closed in Kentucky because of flooding. 250 barricades have been delivered from Chicago to divert traffic. Governor Andy Beshear says the water is several communities is still rising.

[Andy Beshear]

The rivers haven't crested in many areas of the state and so there are a day, if not several days left on this event.

[Karen Zar]

Swiftwater rescue teams have been working around the clock. Flooding is being blamed for the deaths of a nine year old boy who was swept away while walking to the bus stop and a 74 year old found in a submerged vehicle. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[Dale Wilman]

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Was in Texas Sunday. His visit to the center of the measles outbreak there came just days after a second school age child died from complications from the infectious disease. Kennedy is an anti vaccine advocate, but he said on Sunday that vaccines are the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles. You're listening to NPR News. Pope Francis made a surprise visit to St. Peter's Square on Sunday during a special jubilee Mass. It was his first public appearance. Leaving the hospital two months ago, he waved to the crowd as he was rolled unannounced to the front of the altar in the square. The University of Connecticut won the women's college basketball championship Sunday with a one sided victory over South Carolina. As Steve Futterman reports, it was a historic win.

[Steve Futterman]

After nearly a decade, UConn is back on top. The Huskies dominated the championship game, easily beating defending champion South Carolina 82 to 59. Connecticut led by 10 at halftime and the lead just kept growing. UConn was led by Az Fudd and Sarah Strong. They each had 24 points. The great Paige Beckers in her final college game had 17 points. And Beckers, after coming so close, finally gets the one thing she was missing, a national championship. This is the 12th title for the UConn women's program. It becomes the first basketball program, men or women, to win a dozen championships. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Tampa.

[Dale Wilman]

Alex Ovechkin made hockey history on Sunday when he scored a goal in the Washington capital's loss to the New York Islanders. It was his 895th goal of his career and it allowed him to break the long standing career goals record previously held by hockey great wayne Gretzky. The 39 year old Russian skater broke the record despite missing 16 games this season while he was recovering from a broken leg. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.