NPR News Now: 10-25-2025 6AM EDT

Date: October 25, 2025

Host: Giles Snyder

Overview

This five-minute NPR News update covers key global and U.S. stories: President Trump’s diplomatic trip to Asia with an expected highlight on U.S.-China trade tensions, escalating trade disputes with Canada, the World Series baseball opener, controversy involving Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff over the National Guard deployment in San Francisco, legal and political developments in New York and New Jersey, and important elections worldwide.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s Indo-Pacific Trip (00:00–01:01)

• Trip Overview:
  President Trump embarks on a week-long journey to Malaysia, Japan, and Korea, focusing on diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and especially a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
• China-U.S. Trade Tensions:
  Recent escalation due to Beijing’s restrictions on rare earth exports, which are critical to U.S. industries. Trump threatened increased tariffs by November 1 in response.
• Prospects for Agreement:
  Trump remains optimistic, saying he hopes for a "fantastic trade deal" with Xi.
• Additional Summits:
  Attendance at ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and APEC Summit in Gyeongju, Korea.

Quote:
"Trump responded that he could further raise tariffs on Chinese goods by November 1st. It's the latest in months of back and forth on trade that have left the global economy on edge. Still, Trump said this week he expects to make a, quote, fantastic trade deal with Xi."
— Deepa Shivaram (00:22)

2. U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions Escalate (01:01–01:59)

• Trade Talks Breakdown:
  President Trump halts negotiations after airing of a Canadian ad featuring Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.
• Trump’s Response:
  Trump called the ad fraudulent and accused Canada of cheating via social media.
• Ontario’s Move:
  Premier Doug Ford commits to pulling the ad campaign after discussing with Prime Minister Mark Carney, but the ads will remain during the World Series games.

Quote:
"In a social media post, Trump said, quote, canada cheated, and the ad fraudulently uses remarks from a 1987 radio address by then President Ronald Reagan."
— Dan Karpenschuk (01:19)

3. World Series Update & National Guard Discussion (01:59–02:56)

• World Series Opener:
  Toronto Blue Jays decisively beat the LA Dodgers, spurred by a big sixth inning.
• National Guard Controversy:
  President Trump cancels a federal deployment to San Francisco after speaking with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who had previously supported and then retracted support for military intervention in the city.

Quote:
"Benioff later walked back his comments and apologized, saying the military was not actually needed in the city."
— Sydney Johnson (02:23)

4. Legal & Political Developments in the U.S. (02:56–04:08)

• New York Attorney General Case:
  Letitia James pleads not guilty in a mortgage fraud case, which Trump urged the DOJ to pursue; James claims political retaliation.
• New Jersey Gubernatorial Election:
  Early voting begins. The race is a high-profile indicator of public sentiment in the early months of Trump’s second term. Major candidates: Democrat Mikie Sherrill (leading) vs. Republican Jack Cittarelli. Noteworthy trends:
  • No Democrat has won three consecutive NJ governor races in a century.
  • Over 50 years since NJ elected a governor from the sitting president’s party.

Quote:
"The gubernatorial race in the Garden State is being closely watched as a window into voters take on the first months of the second Trump administration."
— Bruce Konviser (03:31)

5. International Elections (04:08–end)

• Ivory Coast:
  Polls open for a presidential election; incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeks a controversial fourth term. Several challengers have been barred from running.
• Ireland:
  Presidential election results forthcoming. The role is symbolic; Katherine Conley, a left-leaning lawmaker, is expected to win.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S.-China trade back-and-forth:
  “It's the latest in months of back and forth on trade that have left the global economy on edge.” (Deepa Shivaram, 00:36)
• On the Canadian ad flap:
  "Canada cheated, and the ad fraudulently uses remarks from a 1987 radio address…" (Trump via Dan Karpenschuk, 01:19)
• On the World Series opener:
  "The Toronto Blue Jays took last night's opener, rallying in the sixth inning to blow out the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4…" (Giles Snyder, 01:59)
• On Salesforce CEO controversy:
  "Benioff later walked back his comments and apologized, saying the military was not actually needed in the city." (Sydney Johnson, 02:45)
• On the stakes of the New Jersey governor’s race:
  “Two historical trends will collide in this election. It has been 100 years since Democrats won three consecutive gubernatorial races in New Jersey, yet it has been more than 50 years Jersey voters elected a governor who belonged to the same party as the sitting U.S. president.” (Bruce Konviser, 03:47)

Timeline & Timestamps

• 00:00 – President Trump’s Indo-Pacific trip; China-U.S. trade tensions (Deepa Shivaram)
• 01:01 – Trump calls off trade talks with Canada over disputed ad (Dan Karpenschuk)
• 01:59 – World Series update; Benioff and National Guard U-turn (Sydney Johnson)
• 02:56 – NY Attorney General indicted; NJ Governor race begins early voting (Bruce Konviser)
• 04:08 – International elections: Ivory Coast and Ireland updates

Conclusion

Episode Snapshot:
This hour's news distills crucial political and economic developments: U.S.-China and U.S.-Canada trade showdowns, sports headlines, Silicon Valley’s public stance on national policy, high-stakes legal cases and elections, and global votes with broad implications—all in five briskly reported minutes.

Tone:
Urgent, fact-based, and sharply focused—typical of NPR's concise hourly news summaries.