Court Blocks Most Trump Tariffs, Trump Grows Frustrated With Putin, CPAC Hungary

Summary

Up First from NPR – May 29, 2025

NPR's "Up First" delivers the three biggest stories of the day with in-depth reporting and analysis. In this episode, host Michelle Martin covers the federal court's decision to block most of President Trump's tariffs, the increasing tension between Trump and Vladimir Putin amidst the Ukraine conflict, and the significant right-wing political gathering taking place in Hungary.

---

1. Federal Court Blocks Most Trump-Imposed Tariffs

Overview

A significant legal setback for President Trump occurred when a federal court blocked nearly all of his recently imposed tariffs. These tariffs targeted imports from almost every country, marking the highest such taxes since the Great Depression. The ruling challenges Trump's authority to unilaterally impose these taxes, asserting that only Congress holds the power to regulate trade and impose tariffs.

Key Points

• Court Ruling: The U.S. Court of International Trade unanimously ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by imposing tariffs on a wide range of imports (02:24). The court determined that the 1977 emergency law Trump cited does not grant the president unrestricted power to levy these taxes.

• Impact on Tariffs: While the sweeping tariffs on items like coffee, bananas, French wine, and Chinese toys are struck down, industry-specific taxes on steel, aluminum, cars, and auto parts remain intact (05:35). Trump has indicated a willingness to add more tariffs on products such as computer chips and pharmaceuticals based on different statutes.

• Economic and Market Reactions: Financial markets responded positively to the court's decision. Asian stocks rose sharply, and U.S. stock futures increased by 1-2% following the announcement (03:56). Investors generally view the removal of tariffs as favorable for global trade and economic stability.

• Administrative Response: The White House quickly announced plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing that national emergencies should not be subject to judicial intervention. They criticized the court's decision, highlighting that the judges had diverse presidential appointments (05:08).

Notable Quotes

• Dan Rayfield, Oregon Attorney General: “We as consumers, we as families, people that are working day in, day out to try and pay their bills don't have the flexibility in their budget to afford it. And economists were showing this was going to be a $3,800 increase to average household budgets every year. That is a tax on all of us. Right. But it's hidden and disguised as a tariff.” (04:38)

• Scott Horsley, NPR: “The White House maintains he could reimpose them anytime with just a social media post.” (02:54)

---

2. President Trump’s Growing Frustration with Vladimir Putin Amid Ukraine Conflict

Overview

President Trump's frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been mounting due to Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Trump's outspoken criticism of Putin, labeling him as "absolutely crazy," raises questions about the prospects for peace negotiations and the broader geopolitical ramifications.

Key Points

• Trump’s Statements: Demonstrating increasing irritation, Trump recently accused Putin of erratic behavior in response to Russia's airstrikes in Ukraine. He emphasized that a resolution to the conflict is being hampered by Russia's actions (06:13).

• Kremlin's Response: Russian officials have dismissed Trump's claims as misinformation, highlighting that Ukraine's drone attacks contribute to the conflict's escalation. Despite these tensions, Russia has expressed readiness to resume peace talks, proposing a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey (07:38).

• Potential for Negotiations: While Russia shows willingness to engage in peace talks, Ukraine remains skeptical, citing ongoing Russian troop movements and historical aggression patterns. The complexity of negotiations is underscored by comparisons to prolonged conflicts, such as Russia's 21-year war with Sweden in the 1700s (08:54).

• U.S. Involvement: Trump's potential direct involvement in negotiations, including the possibility of meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky, introduces a new dynamic to the conflict resolution efforts. However, the effectiveness of Trump's approach remains uncertain given the current geopolitical landscape (09:30).

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump: “If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that. Let me tell you, I'm a lot tougher than the people you're talking about. But you have to know when to use that.” (07:20)

• Charles Mains, NPR: “The clear message there is that no matter how long it takes, we'll get what's ours.” (08:26)

---

3. Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Hungary: A Gathering of Right-Wing Movements

Overview

CPAC Hungary marks the fourth consecutive year of hosting one of the largest right-wing political gatherings in Eastern Europe. The conference serves as a platform for American and European conservatives, populists, and nationalists to exchange ideas, strategies, and forge alliances.

Key Points

• Event Highlights: The conference kicked off with remarks from Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, and features prominent speakers including Chad Wolf and John Eastman. Discussions will focus on strategies similar to those employed by Trump, such as challenging media narratives and pushing conservative agendas (09:41).

• Global Conservative Alliances: Leila Fadel reports on the deepening ties between the American MAGA movement, Orban's Fidesz party, and other European right-wing groups. These alliances are built on shared sentiments of institutional distrust and a belief that their democratic opponents are the true undemocratic forces (11:35).

• Policy Parallels: Similarities between Trump and Orban include anti-immigration stances, attacks on academic autonomy, and efforts to control the independent press. Both leaders have centralized power and utilized state resources to align institutions with their political objectives (12:16).

• Media and Public Perception: CPAC Hungary emphasizes a narrative that frames their political opponents as autocratic, even as Hungary faces penalties from the European Union for anti-democratic policies, such as banning Pride celebrations. The movement views media and judicial systems as biased against conservative values (12:38).

Notable Quotes

• Matt Schlapp, CPAC Chairman: “I felt like America's institutions were definitely in an autocratic slide. I felt like people who have CPAC type values couldn't get a fair shake in the major national media. We couldn't get a fair shake in the big city courtrooms. We couldn't get a fair shake when it came to having corporations be neutral on politics. They seemed to all get involved in every left wing political cause of the day.” (12:16)

• Viktor Orban: “The Trump tsunami swept through the world and changed the entire world. It gave back hope to the world.” (09:55)

---

Conclusion

This episode of "Up First" provides a comprehensive look at pivotal issues affecting the United States and the global landscape. From significant legal decisions impacting economic policies, escalating geopolitical tensions, to the rise of international conservative movements, listeners are equipped with nuanced insights into the unfolding events shaping today’s world.

---

Timestamps Reference:

• 02:24
• 02:54
• 03:56
• 04:38
• 05:08
• 05:35
• 06:13
• 07:20
• 07:38
• 08:26
• 08:54
• 09:30
• 09:41
• 11:35
• 12:16
• 12:38
• 09:55

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

A federal court has blocked most of President Trump's tariffs. The judges say the president overstepped his authority when he put tariffs on nearly every country last month. How big of a setback is this for Trump's economic plans? I'm Michelle Martin and this is up first from NPR News. President Trump appears increasingly frustrated with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Trump earlier this week described Putin as absolutely crazy amid Russia's ongoing airstrikes in Ukraine. How does this growing frustration affect any peace negotiations? And one of the largest right wing political gatherings is getting underway in Eastern Europe. CPAC Hungary will feature leading right wing voices from Europe and America. Leila Fadel and her team are on the ground in Budapest with the latest. Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[T Mobile Business Ad]

This message comes from T Mobile for Business. Lights, camera, innovation. Walt Disney Studios chose advanced 5G solutions from T Mobile for Business to transform the moviemaking process. Together, they kept a remote production hub in Hawaii in sync with a team in California to bring Lilo and Stitch to theaters this summer. This is Picture Perfect Collaboration. This is Walt Disney Studios with T Mobile for Business. Take your business further@t mobile.com now.

[Thuma Ad]

This message comes from Thuma. Create your oasis with Thuma, a modern design company that specializes in furniture and home goods by stripping away everything but the essential. Thuma makes elevated beds with premium materials and intentional details with clean lines, subtle curves and minimalist style. The Thuma bed collection is available in four signature finishes to match any design aesthetic. To get $100 towards your first bed purchase, go to Thuma Co NPR this.

[T Mobile Business Ad]

Message comes from HomeTab. With a home equity investment from HomeTab, you get access to your home equity in cash without monthly payments to use for whatever you'd like, from paying off debt to making renovations or handling emergency expenses. Receive your funds in just a few weeks, start pursuing your financial goals and start getting more out of life. See if you pre qualify for an [e-mail] that's hometab.com a federal court has.

[Michelle Martin]

Blocked the nearly worldwide tariffs that President Trump ordered last month. The U.S. court of International Trade says Trump overstepped his authority when he ordered taxes on imports from nearly every other country. If the ruling stands, it would strike down all of the tariffs Trump imposed on April 2, along with separate levies on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, some of which have been temporarily suspended. NPR's Scott Horsley is with us now to tell us more about this. Good morning, Scott.

[Scott Horsley]

Good morning, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

Scott this sounds Big what's at stake in this case?

[Scott Horsley]

The stakes here are enormous. The President has imposed the highest tariffs this country has seen since the Great Depression. And while he has backed off on some of those import taxes, the White House maintains he could reimpose them anytime with just a social media post. So a dozen states and five businesses challenged the President's authority to unilaterally levy those taxes. And last night, a specialized trade court handed those challengers a decisive victory. The unanimous three judge panel ruled that under the Constitution, it's Congress that has exclusive power to regulate trade and impose tariffs. And the Court said the 1977 emergency law that Trump has been relying on does not give the President unfettered power to impose taxes on imports from around the world. They rejected Trump's claims that fentanyl trafficking or persistent trade deficits justify taxing nearly everything the US Buys from other countries. And in fact, the judges skipped right over issuing a preliminary injunction and gave the plaintiffs a summary judgment.

[Michelle Martin]

How are financial markets reacting?

[Scott Horsley]

You know, investors have never liked these tariffs. Every time the President raises import taxes, the stock market tumbles. Every time he backs down, the stock market soars. So global investors are welcoming the idea that maybe the courts are going to take away one of Trump's tariff clubs. Asian stocks rose sharply overnight. Stock futures here in the US are up between 1 and 2% this morning. Remember, it's mostly American businesses and consumers that bear the cost, these import taxes. And it's US Farmers and factories that risk losing markets, markets overseas because of retaliation in the trade war. Oregon is one of the states that brought this case. And Oregon's Attorney General, Dan Rayfield says striking down these tariffs is a win for working families.

[Dan Rayfield]

We as consumers, we as families, people that are working day in, day out to try and pay their bills don't have the flexibility in their budget to afford it. And economists were showing this was going to be a $3,800 increase to average household budgets every year. That is a tax on all of us. Right. But it's hidden and disguised as a tarif.

[Scott Horsley]

Rayfield also says this ruling shows that laws still matter and the trade decisions cannot be made on a president's whim.

[Michelle Martin]

How is the administration responding?

[Scott Horsley]

Well, the administration wasted no time saying it would appeal this decision. That will go to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit here in Washington. The White House also issued a statement saying, quote, it's not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. I'll note the three judges who ruled against the president here were nominated to the court by Presidents Reagan, Obama and Trump himself.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, so does this ruling strike down all of Trump's tariffs?

[Scott Horsley]

No. The industry specific taxes on steel and aluminum and cars and car parts remain in place. Those were authorized under a different statute and Trump has threatened to use that statute to add additional tariffs on imported computer chips and pharmaceuticals and copper. But as for the sweeping tariffs on nearly everything we import, from coffee and bananas to French wine and Chinese toys, for the moment at least, those taxes do not pass legal muster.

[Michelle Martin]

That is NPR's Scott Horsley. Scott, thank you.

[Scott Horsley]

You're welcome.

[Michelle Martin]

For several days now, President Trump has expressed growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the slow progress towards ending the war in Ukraine, something he did again yesterday at the White House.

[Donald Trump]

We're going to find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not. And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently.

[Michelle Martin]

Meanwhile, Russia announced it's ready to hold another round of peace talks. Joining us to talk about all this is NPR's Charles Mains, who's with us on the line from Moscow. Hi, Charles.

[Charles Mains]

Morning, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

So let's just start by digging in on Trump's statements. We just heard the president briefly remind us, what has he been saying?

[Charles Mains]

You know, this began with Trump expressing anger over Russia's intense bombing of cities across Ukraine over the weekend. Trump initially said Putin had gone absolutely crazy and threatened potential sanctions. That was on Sunday. Two days later, Trump reminded Moscow that if it hadn't been for him, quote, really bad things would have already happened to Russia. And he warned Putin he was playing with fire. And then yesterday, Trump said he was disappointed that Russia had continued attacks while negotiations were ongoing. Yet on this issue of hitting Russia with new sanctions or some other response, Trump made clear he's not there yet.

[Donald Trump]

If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that. Let me tell you, I'm a lot tougher than the people you're talking about. But you have to know when to use that.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, so some drift in there, but the president is saying he's not happy with Moscow's behavior. So how has the Kremlin responded?

[Charles Mains]

Well, some Kremlin officials have called Trump misinformed, arguing Trump wasn't aware of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia over the week. More. They also point to a deal Ukraine signed yesterday with Germany to produce long range weapons capable of striking inside Russia in the future. But overall, the crime Ottoman strategy appears to be not antagonizing Trump. President Putin has said nothing. Meanwhile, his spokesman, Dimitri Pesko has repeatedly complimented Trump's effort to end the conflict while reminding these are complex negotiations full of nuances. Now critics will say, of course, there's just more foot dragging by Moscow as fighting continues. And yet Russia's foreign minister announced last night he was now ready to pick up talks where they left off, calling for a meeting with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, next Monday, when each side can present documents outlining their vision for an eventual peace deal.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, what about the Ukrain? Have they signed on to this meeting?

[Charles Mains]

Well, the presumption is they will because Kyiv needs to show Trump that Ukraine's not the obstacle to peace here. Certainly that was the case in the first round of talks in Istanbul, negotiations that were proposed by Putin amid earlier sanctions threat by Trump. Although Putin then undermined these very talk, those very talks by sending a relatively low level delegation.

[Michelle Martin]

Is there any reason to be more hopeful with this this time around?

[Charles Mains]

Well, I'd say never say never, not least because Trump has suggested he may be willing to meet with Putin Zelensky to hammer out a deal. But Ukraine is already accusing Russia of massing troops along its border for a new summer offensive. And Russia's lead negotiator has publicly drawn comparisons between Ukraine and a war Russia had with Sweden back in the 1700s that went on for 21 years. The clear message there that no matter how long it takes, we'll get what's ours. So Trump may face this vexing question that's really been there ever since he waded into the Ukraine conflict at the beginning, what to do if or when he decides Russia isn't serious about wanting to end the war.

[Michelle Martin]

That is NPR's Charles Mainz in Moscow. Charles, thank you.

[Charles Mains]

Thank you.

[Michelle Martin]

Today, American and European conservatives, populists and nationalists are gathering in Hungary for a fourth consecutive year for the Conservative Political Action Conference. It was kicked off this morning by Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban.

[Charles Mains]

The Trump tsunami swept through the world and changed the entire world. It gave back hope to the world.

[Michelle Martin]

American conservatives have looked at Hungary and Orban as an aspirational model in recent years for getting elected and also for lessons in implementing a political agenda. He's led the country for the last 15 years and won four consecutive elections. And many Hungarians and analysts say he's done that by taking over and then undermining democratic institutions. Leila Fadel has been in Hungary this week exploring all this, and she's with us now in Budapest, the capital. Good morning, Leila. Hey, good morning So I hear it's a little windy. Tell us where you are.

[Leila Fadel]

I'm actually sitting right outside my hotel. I've been watching people all morning head out with their badges and go over to the CPAC gathering that just started.

[Michelle Martin]

So remind us what goes on at this annual gathering. Who are some of the big names attending this year?

[Leila Fadel]

Yeah. So Hungary was really the first place CPAC ever hosted a gathering in Europe because Hungary invited them this year. Poland hosted a CPAC earlier this week where we saw Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speak and urge polls to vote for the right wing nationalist running in a tight presidential election there in just a few days. And one of CPAC's goals is really to keep growing its global footprint. And here in Hungary, we're going to hear from a hodgepodge of speakers, one of the minds behind Trump's child separation policy back in 2017, Chad Wolf, John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who crafted much of Trump's strategy and to overturn the 2020 election results. So those are the types of voices that are going to be on the stage in the next two days.

[Michelle Martin]

So in the course of your reporting, what are you finding has drawn the US And Hungary together in recent years?

[Leila Fadel]

Yeah, I met up with the US Chairman of cpac, Matt Schlapp, to talk about the deepening alliances between the Maga movement, Orban's Fidesz party in Hungary and other right wing movements in Europe. And I asked that, especially given that the European Union is withholding billions of dollars allocated for Hungary right now over policies they deem anti democratic. One of the recent moves was the country effectively banning upcoming Pride celebrations. Schlapp says what's uniting them in part is a feeling that their political opponents are actually being the undemocratic ones.

[Matt Schlapp]

I felt like America's institutions were definitely in an autocratic slide. I felt like people who have CPAC type values couldn't get a fair shake in the major national media. We couldn't get a fair shake in the big city courtrooms. We couldn't get a fair shake when it came to having corporations be neutral on politics. They seemed to all get involved in every left wing political cause of the day.

[Leila Fadel]

And he's talking about, of course, before President Trump was reelected. And he said that's what populists, conservatives and right wing movements around the world feel.

[Michelle Martin]

So Viktor Orban and Trump parallels there?

[Leila Fadel]

Yeah, I mean, there are. They're different men, as many people have pointed out to me. But in style and substance, there's a lot that's similar, and their supporters appreciate what they see as the two leaders calling it like it is, outmaneuvering liberals, saying controversial and sometimes downright offensive things out loud. Orban is known for his anti immigration stance and has depicted himself as the defender of a Christian European working against liberal headwinds in academia and the media. Michelle, I'm sure that sounds familiar. And then there are parallels in policies. I mean, this is a different system, a parliamentary system, but basically Orban really centralized power under the prime minister. And one big similarity is the universities. They're all state universities here, but enjoyed academic autonomy. And now they come under private foundations that get state money and that foundation decides how the universities are run in the states. Trump is also using the threat of pulling federal funds to get universities to come in line with his government's demands. And they both spend a lot of time attacking the independent press. That's actually how CPAC opened today.

[Michelle Martin]

That is our Leila Fadel talking to us from Budapest, Hungary. Leila, thank you.

[Leila Fadel]

You're welcome, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

And that's up first for Thursday, May 29th. I'm Michelle Martin. Make your next listen. Consider this from npr. Up first covers three or more big stories of the day. Consider this gives you one big story in depth in less than 15 minutes. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts. Today's episode of Up first was edited by Kara Platoni, Miguel Macias, Arizu Rizvani, H.J. mai, and Lisa Thompson. It was produced by Ziad Butch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Nisha Hyness and our technical director is Carly Strange. We hope you'll join us again tomorrow.

[Thuma Ad]

This message comes from Warby Parker. Prescription eyewear that's expertly crafted and unexpectedly affordable. Glasses designed in house from premium material starting at just $95, including prescription lenses. Stop by a Warby Parker store near you. This message comes from Carvana. Carvana makes financing your next car easy. Buy 100% online with customizable terms good for 30 days. Buy your car the convenient way with Carvana terms may apply.

[T Mobile Business Ad]

This message comes from nocd. Have you ever had an unwanted thought that gets stuck in your head? It could be ocd. OCD can cause distress in all areas of life, from relationships to how you view yourself. But it's also highly treatable. NOCD's licensed therapists are specially trained in identifying and treating OCD. If you think you're struggling with OCD, visit nocd.com to schedule a free 15 minute call. That's NOCD combined.