NPR News: 05-16-2026 6AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – 6AM EDT, May 16, 2026

Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR News, Washington)
Episode Overview:
This five-minute news update covers President Trump’s recent China trip and its impact on trade and global diplomacy, ongoing humanitarian struggles in Cuba, aviation safety concerns in D.C., a Harvey Weinstein trial mistrial, and surging gas prices amid the Iran conflict.

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US-China Relations and Trade Uncertainty

[00:01-01:54]

• President Trump Returns from China:
  President Trump concluded high-stakes talks in Beijing, centering on trade, Taiwan, and Middle East tensions. Despite headlines, few specifics emerged regarding US policy—especially about a major weapons package for Taiwan.

  “I think the most important thing is relationship. It's all about relationship. I have a very good relationship with President Xi and with China.”
  — President Trump (via Fox News) [00:33]

• Concerns on Iran and Shipping:
  Both US and Chinese leaders agreed Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon, emphasizing the need to keep global shipping lanes open.

• Trade Fallout Hits US Farmers:

  • Grain markets faltered after the talks ended without firm trade arrangements, harming confidence among soybean farmers who rely on Chinese demand.

    • Soybean Prices Down: Prices fell by $0.24/bushel after the summit ended without concrete commitments.
    • Analyst’s Perspective:

      “We're running out of time to get additional details and again, hopefully if there are details, it's something concrete, not just, hey, it's billions of dollars of goods by the end of the season. I think the trade would really like to see something specific.”
      — Brian Split, Standard Grain [01:30]

  • No other firm commodity deals (e.g., corn) were established, leaving farmers anxious as planting season starts.

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Cuba’s Fuel Shortages and Humanitarian Crisis

[01:54-02:56]

• UN Seeks More Aid:
  The United Nations is ramping up outreach for humanitarian help to Cuba amid severe fuel shortages. The US has joined forces with the Catholic Church for aid delivery, and Cuba is showing greater openness.

  “The acute fuel shortages is affecting and restricting the delivery of humanitarian assistance where at the same time as needs are rapidly rising.”
  — Erem Wesornu, UN Aid Official [02:18]

• Geopolitical Backdrop:

  • Fuel scarcity deepened after US action against Venezuela led to a halt in shipments to Cuba.
  • The Trump administration is increasing pressure for Cuban reforms.
  • The recent visit by the CIA director to Cuba and a dissident’s release (in exchange for US exile) highlight the dynamic between diplomatic pressure and human rights.

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FAA Probes Ceremonial Arch, Weinstein Mistrial

[02:56-04:23]

• D.C. Redesign Sparks Airspace Concerns:

  • FAA is reviewing President Trump’s proposal for a ceremonial arch near Arlington Cemetery and Reagan National Airport to ensure it won’t interfere with nearby airspace (part of a broader National Mall redesign).

• Harvey Weinstein Trial Ends in Mistrial:

  • Weinstein’s latest sex crimes case, focused on an allegation from 2013, resulted in a hung jury: 9 not guilty, 3 guilty—all guilty votes were reportedly by men.
    • Juror Rick Treece reflected on the jury’s difficulty:

      “We didn't have enough facts to grasp onto, so it was a motion and there are people who had varying emotions about it based on your experience in life.”
      — Juror Rick Treece [04:02]

    • Juror Josh Hadar cited inconsistencies in the accuser’s story:

      “The witness had a lot of inconsistencies in her story.”
      — Juror Josh Hadar [04:12]

  • The prosecution must decide by late June whether to retry the case.

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National Gas Prices Surge

[04:23-04:40]

• Highest Gas Prices in Four Years:
  • AAA reports the US average price for regular gas has risen to $4.53/gallon, reflecting continued escalation due to the war in Iran.

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End of Content.

Transcript

[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is back in Washington after wrapping up a trip to China. The talks focused on trade, Taiwan and tensions in the Middle East. But Trump offered few concrete details about potential agreements, including whether the US Will move forward with a major weapons package for Taiwan. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping remains central to negotiations between between the two countries.

[NPR Host]

I think the most important thing is relationship. It's all about relationship. I have a very good relationship with President Xi and with China.

[Windsor Johnston]

The White House says both leaders agreed Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and stressed the importance of keeping global shipping routes open. Grain markets fell after President Trump left Beijing with no firm trade deal for American soybean farmers. NPR's Kirk Sigler reports. Many farmers are nerv going into the planting season because China has historically been their largest buyer.

[Kirk Sigler]

There had been hope that the summit would result in China committing to buy even more than the 25 million metric tons of soybeans that the White House says it's agreed to annually. That's only a verbal agreement and nothing out of the summit was put on paper, nor was there a deal to buy even more, which caused prices to plummet by 24 cents. Here's analyst Brian Split on the podcast Standard Grain.

[Brian Split]

We're running out of time to get additional details and again, hopefully if there are details, it's something concrete, not just, hey, it's billions of dollars of goods by the end of the season. I think the trade would really like to see something specific.

[Kirk Sigler]

Export dependent farmers tell NPR they're nervous about that and that no other firm deals were inked for commodities like corn. Kirk Zigler, NPR News, New York.

[Windsor Johnston]

The United nations is trying to drum up more aid for Cuba, which is facing severe energy shortages. The US has been working with the Catholic Church to provide aid and Cuba now seems more open to NPR's Michelle Keleman reports.

[Michelle Keleman]

Cuba says it has run out of fuel and a top UN Aid official, Erem Wesornu, says that's exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

[NPR Host]

The acute fuel shortages is affecting and restricting the delivery of humanitarian assistance where at the same time as needs are rapidly rising.

[Michelle Keleman]

She would not pin the blame on the US for that though. Fuel shipments from Venezuela stopped after the US Ousted that country's president, The Trump administration has in putting pressure on Cuba to make major reforms. The CIA director visited this week and the State Department welcomed word that another high profile dissident had been released from prison in exchange for exile in the US Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR News. The FAA is reviewing potential aviation safety concerns surrounding President Trump's proposed ceremonial arch near Arlington National Cemetery and Reagan National Air Airport. Officials are examining whether the design could interfere with protected airspace or create hazards near one of the country's busiest runways. The project is part of a broader redesign effort around the National Mall. Harvey Weinstein's latest sex crimes trial ended Friday In a mistrial. NPR's Chloe Weiner reports. Jurors were split over whether the former Hollywood producer raped a then aspiring actress.

[Chloe Weiner]

This was the third jury to consider whether Weinstein had raped Jessica Mann at a Manhattan Hotel in 2013. Jurors were ultimately divided nine, three, with nine believing Weinstein was not guilty. Three jurors believed he was guilty. One of the jurors said all three of the guilty votes were men. Outside the court, juror Rick Treece said the jury had hoped to come out successful.

[NPR Host]

We didn't have enough facts to grasp onto, so it was a motion and there are people who had varying emotions about it based on your experience in life.

[Chloe Weiner]

Juror Josh Hadar said he thought Weinstein was not guilty.

[NPR Host]

The witness had a lot of inconsistencies in her story.

[Chloe Weiner]

The prosecution has until late June to decide whether to try the case again. Chloe Weiner, NPR News, New York.

[Windsor Johnston]

AAA says the national average for a gallon of regular gas is now around $4.53, $4.53 a gallon, the highest level in four years. Prices continue to climb amid the war in Iran. This is NPR News.

[NPR Host]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to NPR News now sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get NPR+@ npr.org that's npr.org.