WSJ What’s News: "Korean Citizens Head Home as Trump Threatens More Raids"

Date: September 8, 2025
Host: Caitlin McCabe (The Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

This episode covers urgent global and economic headlines including:

• The release and deportation of Korean citizens post-immigration raid in Georgia
• President Trump’s threats and walk-back on federal intervention in Chicago
• The unraveling of US-EU trade truce over new tariffs
• Political turbulence and market reaction in Japan and France
• The German automakers' intensified competition in the EV market against Tesla and Chinese brands
• New York’s Airbnb regulations and the company’s campaign to ease restrictions ahead of the World Cup

The reporting is balanced and brisk, focusing on the impact of these events on markets, policy, and ordinary people.

Main Stories & Key Discussion Points

1. Korean Immigration Raid in Georgia & Diplomatic Fallout

• Background: Nearly 500 people were arrested in an immigration raid last week at a Hyundai plant in Georgia.
• Resolution: South Korea's foreign minister heads to D.C. after a deal is reached to release detained Korean citizens.
  • Many held B1 training visas or similar, working as instructors, but were accused of entering with the wrong visa or overstaying.
• US Policy Stance:
  • President Trump posts warning to foreign firms about respecting US immigration laws.
  • US Border Czar Tom Homan reiterates ongoing workplace raids.

Notable Quote:

“Almost 500 people were arrested by immigration authorities at last week's raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia. This morning, South Korea said a deal had been reached with the US to release Korean citizens.” – Caitlin McCabe (00:46)

Timestamps:

• [00:46] — Headline and context
• [01:11] — President Trump’s warnings; Tom Homan’s intent to continue raids

2. Trump’s Threats to Chicago & Political Fallout

• Escalation & Walk-Back:
  • Trump threatens to send troops and immigration agents to Chicago, referencing “Apocalypse Now” in a meme.
  • Democratic officials condemn his language.
  • He later clarifies: "We're not going to war, we're going to clean up our cities."
  • Illinois’ governor threatens to sue if troops enter.
• Expansion:
  • DHS now targets Massachusetts immigrants, focusing on those with criminal records.

Notable Moments:

"He posted a meme on Truth Social… said, 'I love the smell of deportations in the morning.'… Also, 'Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of War.'" – Joseph Bassani (02:00)

Timestamps:

• [02:00] — Trump’s Chicago threats
• [03:00] — DHS plans for Massachusetts

3. US-EU Trade Truce Unraveling Over Metal Tariffs

• Tariff Expansion:
  • US expands 50% metal tariffs to more products, catching European manufacturers off guard.
  • Some now pay much higher levies than the 15% agreed tariff.
• European Discontent:
  • Frustration among businesses and parliament members.
  • Potential moves to amend European import legislation in response.

Notable Quotes:

“Producers that thought they knew what they were working with in terms of tariffs actually found that they're facing some new tariffs that they weren't expecting.” – Kim McCrail (03:42)

“Bernd Lange… said the expansion of metals tariffs from the US shows there's no security or predictability in the US-EU deal.” – Kim McCrail (04:19)

Timestamps:

• [03:42] — Business reaction to tariffs
• [04:19] — EU Parliament's response

4. Political Upheaval in Japan and France

• Japan:
  • PM Shigeru Ishiba resigns under pressure after electoral losses.
  • Market reaction: stocks rise, yen strengthens, but bond yields soar.
• France:
  • PM Francois Beirut faces likely no-confidence vote.
  • Proposes $54 billion in budget cuts (including removing public holidays), causing public anger and economic uncertainty.

Timestamps:

• [04:51] — Japan’s prime minister steps down
• [05:18] — France’s confidence vote and economic challenges

5. German Automakers vs. Tesla and Chinese EV Brands

• Auto Show in Munich:
  • BMW and Mercedes unveil new electric SUVs to rival Tesla’s Model Y.
  • Focus on advanced computing/software and longer-range battery tech.
• Market Shifts:
  • Tesla’s “moment of weakness” opens opportunity for German brands.
  • Chinese EV brands are gaining ground, especially on price.
  • American brands lose market share in Europe.

Key Insights from Stephen Wilmot:

• Incumbents (like BMW/Mercedes) finally match Tesla’s tech while boosting range/charging.
• Luxury European brands can defend their niche better than mass-market brands.
• Chinese EV makers threaten established brands, pushing innovation and pricing.

Notable Quotes:

“They've massively upgraded the battery technology so that they have much longer range and faster charging times than their predecessor models—and actually better than the Tesla long range Model Y.” – Stephen Wilmot (07:16)

"The consensus among analysts and industry consultants is that the luxury brands are in a better position than the volume brands… They're in a tighter spot to fight off the incursion from value-oriented Chinese brands." – Stephen Wilmot (08:48)

"There's been a shift in the European market away from American brands and towards Chinese brands, with the European brands largely holding their own for now and fighting on for their survival, really." – Stephen Wilmot (09:23)

Timestamps:

• [06:42] — Munich Auto Show context
• [07:16] — BMW/Mercedes’ new approach
• [08:09] — Tesla’s political problems and market share
• [08:37] — China’s price advantage; luxury vs. value debate
• [09:23] — Market share shift in Europe

6. Airbnb Campaigns to Ease NYC Short-Term Rental Regulations

• NYC Context:
  • 2 years after stricter rules (2 guests, host must be present), rowdy tourist problems are down, but rents remain high and vacancies low.
• Airbnb Response:
  • Argues restrictions hurt local hosts’ finances without boosting affordability.
  • Creates "Affordable New York" PAC, now the top spender in city elections.
  • Lobbying for a City Council bill to allow 4 guests and no host presence—especially with the World Cup approaching.

Notable Quotes:

“Airbnb says, look, this has not solved the affordability crisis and in fact, people who used to host are now struggling to pay their rent or their mortgage because they relied on this income” – Allison Poley (10:25)

Timestamps:

• [09:57] — State of rentals after crackdown
• [10:25] — Airbnb’s new strategy

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He posted a meme on Truth Social… said, 'I love the smell of deportations in the morning.'… Also, 'Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of War.'”
  — Joseph Bassani [02:00]

• "BMW and Mercedes have massively upgraded the battery technology… actually better than the Tesla long range Model Y."
  — Stephen Wilmot [07:16]

• "Airbnb says, look, this has not solved the affordability crisis and in fact, people who used to host are now struggling to pay their rent or their mortgage because they relied on this income."
  — Allison Poley [10:25]

Episode Structure with Timestamps

• 00:46 – 02:00: Korean immigration raid fallout & Trump’s warnings
• 02:00 – 03:00: Trump escalates, then walks back Chicago intervention threats
• 03:00 – 04:51: US-EU metals tariff truce break down
• 04:51 – 06:08: Political instability in Japan and France; market impacts
• 06:42 – 09:51: BMW/Mercedes vs. Tesla and Chinese EVs at Munich Auto Show
• 09:57 – 11:13: NYC Airbnb regulation battles ahead of the World Cup

Tone and Style

The reporting is brisk, neutral, and information-driven, with direct quotes adding personality and clarity. The episode covers a global scope, always tying stories back to the larger economic and political context.

Useful for:
Anyone needing a fast yet comprehensive update on international business, markets, and political currents, with direct insights from Wall Street Journal reporters and subject experts.