NPR News: 04-14-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 14, 2025, 3PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston

---

1. US-China Trade Tensions Intensify

Windsor Johnston opens the episode with an update on the escalating trade war between the United States and China. President Donald Trump continues to defend his administration's aggressive trade policies, including the implementation of a 145% tariff on Chinese imports.

Donald Trump stated from the Oval Office:

“And you know what? I don't blame China at all. I don't blame President Xi. I like him, he likes me. I mean, you know, think, who knows, who the hell cares?”
[00:44]

Despite Trump's reassurances, the trade tensions persist, with China responding forcefully to the US tariffs.

---

2. US Visa Restrictions and China's Retaliation

The Trump administration's stance on trade is not limited to tariffs. In a significant move, the US has imposed visa restrictions targeting Chinese officials, which China has retaliated against by announcing a 125% tariff on U.S. goods, up from the previous 84%. Additionally, China is implementing visa restrictions on unnamed U.S. personnel accused of misconduct related to Tibet.

John Ruich reports on the situation:

“The US Visa restrictions targeted Chinese officials who the State Department said were involved in policies that restrict access to Tibetan areas for US Diplomats, journalists and other international observers. [...] It's difficult to travel to Tibet with a journalist visa.”
[01:27]

Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded:

“The US Visa restrictions were unwarranted and that Tibet is China's internal affair.”
[01:27]

This exchange highlights the deepening rift between the two superpowers, with both nations unwilling to concede on key issues.

---

3. Arson at Pennsylvania Governor's Residence

In a startling development, a man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence has been hospitalized.

Rachel McDevitt provides the details:

“Arraignment for 38-year-old Cody Ballmer is delayed while he's being treated. [...] According to a criminal complaint, Ballmer hopped the fence surrounding Governor Josh Shapiro's home in the early morning hours on Sunday. He broke in through a window with a hammer and set fire to the dining room using beer bottles filled with gasoline.”
[02:22]

While authorities have not disclosed a clear motive, it's reported that Ballmer threatened to “beat the governor with the hammer” during the break-in. Ballmer subsequently turned himself in to the police.

---

4. San Diego County Earthquake and Market Response

Windsor Johnston reports on the recent seismic activity in San Diego County:

“Aftershocks are being felt across San Diego county after a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck the region today. Officials say as of now, there are no reports of major structural damage or injuries.”
[03:02]

In parallel, the financial markets responded positively to the day's news, with significant gains on Wall Street.

---

5. Wall Street Sees Significant Gains

The stock market exhibited strong performance amid the day's events. As reported:

“Stocks are trading higher on Wall street at this hour. The Dow was up 469 points.”
[03:02]

Later updates confirmed continued growth:

“Stocks continue to trade higher on Wall Street. The Dow up 479 points, Nasdaq up 200.”
[04:53]

Investors appeared optimistic despite global tensions and local incidents, driving the market's robust performance.

---

6. Flooding Recovery and Reflections on FDR's Legacy in Kentucky

Following severe flooding in central and western Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear announced a strategic shift in recovery operations.

Governor Andy Beshear stated:

“Fortunately, we're moving from the emergency phase to the stabilization phase, and that's when we will get a better idea of how much physical damage is out there.”
[03:35]

Amidst the recovery efforts, the state commemorated the 80th anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's passing in Warm Springs, Georgia. The event underscored FDR's enduring legacy in shaping federal policies during the Great Depression.

Debbie Elliott reports:

“FDR's great grandson, Haven Roosevelt, Luke says the New Deal programs that came from that experience, including Social Security and labor and banking reforms, are under threat as President Trump slashes the federal government.”
[04:25]

Governor Andy Beshear added:

“We're watching FDR's legacy get torn down, death by a thousand cuts.”
[04:25]

Haven Roosevelt remarked on FDR's enduring hope:

“FDR never stopped hoping and believing in the nation.”
[04:46]

This reflection draws a parallel between past and present, highlighting concerns over potential dismantling of foundational social programs.

---

Conclusion

The episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, ranging from high-stakes trade negotiations and local political incidents to natural disasters and historical reflections. With insightful reporting and poignant quotes, listeners are kept informed on the multifaceted issues shaping today's world.

---

For more updates, subscribe to NPR News Now and listen to episodes on your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

99% of the US population lives within listening range of at least one public media station and everyone can listen to NPR podcasts free of charge. That means you get completely unpaywalled access to stories, prize winning reporting and shows that represent the voices in every corner of the country. Hear the bigger picture every day on npr.

[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is reaffirming his longstanding position that China should not be blamed for the ongoing trade war between the two nations. Speaking from the Oval Office today, Trump instead blamed previous administrations for the trade imbalances.

[Donald Trump]

And you know what? I don't blame China at all. I don't blame President Xi. I like him, he likes me. I mean, you know, think, who knows, who the hell cares?

[Windsor Johnston]

The Trump administration has implemented aggressive trade policies, including a 145% tariffs on Chinese imports. China hit back, announcing that it will raise tariffs on U.S. goods from 84 to 125%. China says it's slapping visa restrictions on unnamed U.S. personnel who it says have behaved badly when it comes to the issue of Tibet. NPR's John Ruich reports. The move is in retaliation for a State Department decision at the end of March to restrict visas for Chinese officials.

[John Ruich]

The US Visa restrictions targeted Chinese officials who the State Department said were involved in policies that restrict access to Tibetan areas for US Diplomats, journalists and other international observers. It noted that Chinese diplomats and journalists enjoy broad access in the United States and the lack of reciprocity is unacceptable. It's difficult to travel to Tibet with a journalist visa. The Chinese government organizes periodic trips to the region. They are invitation only and tightly choreographed. Requests to independently visit the region are often denied. Diplomats face similar restrictions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the US Visa restrictions were unwarranted and that Tibet is China's internal affair. John Ruich, NPR News, Beijing.

[Windsor Johnston]

The man accused of setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor's residence is now in the hospital. Rachel McDevitt of member station WITF reports. The suspect is charged with attempted homicide, arson and terrorism.

[Rachel McDevitt]

Arraignment for 38 year old Cody Ballmer is delayed while he's being treated. Pennsylvania State Police say Ballmer was hospitalized due to a medical event not connected to the incident or his arrest. According to a criminal complaint, Ballmer hopped the fence surrounding Governor Josh Shapiro's home in the early morning hours on Sunday. He broke in through a window with a hammer and set fire to the dining room using beer bottles filled with gasoline. Ballmer turned himself into police Authorities have not disclosed a motive.

[NPR Reporter]

But.

[Rachel McDevitt]

But investigators say Ballmer told them he would have beaten the governor with the hammer if he'd encountered him during the break in. For NPR news, I'm Rachel McDevitt in Harrisburg.

[Windsor Johnston]

Aftershocks are being felt across San Diego county after a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck the region today. Officials say as of now, there are no reports of major structural damage or injuries. Stocks are trading higher on Wall street at this hour. The Dow was up 469 points. This is NPR News. The cleanup continues in parts of central and western Kentucky more than a week after major flooding. Governor Andy Beshear says crews are shifting recovery operations.

[Governor Andy Beshear]

Fortunately, we're moving from the emergency phase to the stabilization phase, and that's when we will get a better idea of how much physical damage is out there.

[Windsor Johnston]

In western Kentucky, some rivers are still cresting. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died 80 years ago in Warm Springs, Georgia. His descendants and others gathered there over the weekend to reflect on the fate of his legacy of building up the federal government to pull America out of the Great Depression. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports FDR found relief.

[Debbie Elliott]

From polio soaking in the namesake waters of Warm Springs, Georgia, and he also connected with struggling people in this rural landscape.

[Governor Andy Beshear]

What he saw down there informed his political vision of what needed to be done for the nation in the midst of the Great Depression.

[Debbie Elliott]

FDR's great grandson, Haven Roosevelt, Luke says the New Deal programs that came from that experience, including Social Security and labor and banking reforms, are under threat as President Trump slashes the federal government.

[Governor Andy Beshear]

We're watching FDR's legacy get torn down, death by a thousand cuts.

[Debbie Elliott]

Luke says FDR never stopped hoping and believing in the nation. Debbie Elliott, NPR News, Warm Springs, Georgia.

[Windsor Johnston]

Stocks continue to trade higher on Wall Street. The Dow up 479 points, Nasdaq up 200. This is NPR News in Washington.

[NPR Announcer]

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.