NPR News Now: April 10, 2025, 11 PM EDT
The latest news in five minutes, updated hourly by NPR.
1. President Trump Pauses Tariff Plan Amid Market Turmoil
[00:02 - 01:05]
NPR’s Franco Ordonez reports that President Donald Trump has temporarily halted his expansive tariff strategy due to ongoing market instability. Initially advocating for a measured approach to the escalating trade war, Trump reversed his stance by announcing a 90-day suspension on most new tariffs. Ordonez explains, “Just hours after he urged Americans to be cool about an escalating trade war, Trump reversed course and issued a 90 day pause on a majority of terrorists” (00:15).
Despite this pause, Trump remains steadfast against China, increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%, labeling it as “punishment” in response to China’s retaliatory measures. The administration maintains a baseline tariff of 10% on imports, significantly lower than the previously threatened rates for numerous countries.
2. Impact on Small U.S. Businesses
[01:05 - 01:53]
Following the tariff pause, many small American business owners are experiencing mixed emotions. While the temporary halt provides some relief, companies dependent on Chinese manufacturing are facing potential financial setbacks. Windsor Johnston interviews Casey Ames, owner of Harcla, an Idaho-based company specializing in developmental and sensory products for children with special needs. Ames states, “We've tried to look to manufacture in the US before, and it's just end product ends up being not working for our customers” (01:37).
Ames highlights the challenges of shifting production domestically, noting that higher costs in the U.S. make it unfeasible for small businesses. Johnston adds, “Domestic production costs far exceed those in countries like China, leaving many small business owners in the US squeezed between soaring tariffs and unsustainable overhead” (01:53). This scenario presents a strict dilemma for small businesses aiming to maintain competitive pricing while ensuring product quality.
3. Billionaire Astronaut Jared Isaacman Faces Confirmation for NASA Administrator
[02:06 - 02:57]
The U.S. Senate is on the verge of confirming billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA’s next administrator. NPR’s Jeff Brumfield reports that Isaacman has connections with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, having flown to space twice with the company and having his payments firm, Shift4, conduct business with SpaceX. During his confirmation hearing, Isaacman asserted that Musk would not influence his role, stating, “I was again, my meeting was with the president of the United States” (02:18) when questioned by Democratic Senator Edward Markey about Musk’s presence during the job offer.
Brumfield interprets Isaacman’s reluctance to acknowledge Musk’s involvement, suggesting potential underlying influences: “I'm assuming that you don't want to answer the question directly because Elon Musk” (02:43). Despite these concerns, Isaacman remains focused on his vision for NASA, emphasizing goals to return astronauts to the moon and pursue human missions to Mars.
4. Federal Appeals Court Blocks Reinstatement of Dismissed Probationary Workers
[02:57 - 03:43]
In a significant legal development, a federal appeals court has overturned a lower court’s decision to reinstate tens of thousands of probationary workers dismissed from 20 federal agencies. Shea Stevens explains that the appeals court, ruling 2-1, determined that the lower court lacked jurisdiction, thereby allowing the Trump administration to maintain the dismissal of these employees off payroll. A final decision on the case’s merits, initiated by 19 states and the District of Columbia, is anticipated in the coming weeks.
5. British Royal Couple's Private Audience with Pope Francis Postponed and Rescheduled
[03:43 - 04:26]
The British royal couple’s four-day state visit to Italy included a planned private meeting with Pope Francis, which initially faced setbacks. NPR’s Ruth Sherlock reports that King Charles, also the head of the Church of England, and Queen Camilla were scheduled to meet the pope, but the encounter was postponed due to Pope Francis’ health struggles with double pneumonia. Eventually, the pope invited the royals for a private audience in Vatican City. The meeting lasted approximately 20 minutes and involved an exchange of gifts. The Vatican issued a statement conveying the pope’s best wishes to the royal couple on their 20th wedding anniversary and expressed hopes for King Charles’ recovery from cancer.
6. Market Updates: U.S. and Asia Pacific Futures Rise
[04:26]
In financial news, U.S. futures are showing gains in after-hours trading on Wall Street. Asian markets are also experiencing positive trends, with Tokyo’s shares increasing by over 8%, indicating a broadly optimistic trading sentiment globally.
This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the April 10, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For detailed reports and further information, please refer to the full podcast episode.