Summary4 min read

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.

Loading summary

Transcript9 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump on his way to Malaysia, his first stop in a nearly week long trip to the Indo Pacific. He'll meet with heads of state in Kuala Lumpur as well as Japan and Korea. The main focus, though, is Trump's expected meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports.
[00:22]
B
Tensions have recently escalated between the U.S. and China on trade. It comes after Beijing further limited exports on rare earth, minerals and metals, which which are critical for the U.S. 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. The president will also attend the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, visit Tokyo and attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju, Korea. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, traveling with the president.
[01:02]
A
Trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa have taken a turn for the worse. President Trump called off trade negotiations with Canada because of a television ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan opposing tariffs. Dan Karpenschuk reports that Ontario's premier says he will pull those ads starting next week.
[01:20]
C
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. Trump announced that he was calling off trade talks with Canada. The move is seen as a serious setback for the Canadian economy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is paying for the $75 million ad campaign. Ford says the intention was always to begin a conversation about the impact of the tariffs and get Trump to take notice. But after speaking to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ford agreed to pull the ads beginning on Monday. However, they will still run during televised coverage of the first two games of the World Series. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpenchuk in Toronto.
[02:00]
A
World Series Game two is tonight. The Toronto Blue Jays took last night's opener, rallying in the sixth inning to blow out the Los Angeles Dodgers 114 just before calling off a federal deployment to San Francisco. President Trump said he spoke directly to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who backpedaled on his recent calls for sending troops. From member station KQED Sydney Johnson reports.
[02:23]
D
Trump's call with Benioff came just a week after the tech CEO praised the president and said he supported sending the National Guard to San Francisco. It marked a significant pivot for Benioff, who previously supported Democratic candidates like Hillary Clinton and was one of few tech leaders in San Francisco to back a tax measure on the city's wealthiest companies to fund services for homeless residents. After backlash from local leaders, Benioff later walked back his comments and apologized, saying the military was not actually needed in the city. For NPR News, I'm Sidney Johnson in San Francisco.
[02:56]
A
And you're listening to NPR News. The mortgage fraud case against New York Attorney General Letitia James is scheduled for trial in January. James pleaded not guilty after President Trump urged the Justice Department to bring charges against her. James says the justice system is being used as a tool of revenge. She is the third Trump adversary to be indicted in less than a month. New Jersey, along with Virginia, are the only two states holding gubernatorial elections this year. And as Bruce Konviser reports, in New Jersey, early votes voting begins today.
[03:32]
E
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. Democratic Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill is leading in polls, though the margin has narrowed over her Republican opponent, Jack Cittarelli over the past few months. Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is term limited and approaching the end of his eight year run. 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. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Konfeiser In.
[04:09]
A
Greenbrook, N.J. polls are open in the Ivory coast. Voters casting ballots in a presidential election in which the 83 year old incumbent, Alison Watterom is seeking a fourth term. Four other candidates are on the ballot. But in the run up to the election, key contenders were barred from running. In Ireland, Results from yesterday's presidential election are expected later today. The role is largely ceremonial. Left leaning lawmaker Katherine Conley is widely seen as the leading candidate. I'm Giles Snyder, NPR News.