WSJ What’s News: National Guard Deploys to L.A. as Protests Continue Release Date: June 9, 2025
1. Escalation of Protests in Los Angeles and National Guard Deployment
Protests Intensify in L.A.:
On June 9, Luke Vargas reported that Los Angeles has been engulfed in the third consecutive night of protests. These demonstrations erupted following actions by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, leading to significant clashes with protesters.
Federal Response:
In response to the escalating tensions, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles. Speaking at 00:12, Trump stated, “We’re going to have troops everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country. We’re not going to let our country be torn apart.”
On-the-Ground Perspective:
Reporter Ben Fritz provided a vivid account from downtown L.A., highlighting the severity of the situation: “I have never seen anything like this. These Waymos are being burned to the ground. Protesters are demanding that ICE basically leave Los Angeles.” (01:21) The demonstrators have been vocally advocating for the abolition of ICE, emphasizing that “Immigrants are welcome here.”
Local Government Reaction:
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her disapproval of the National Guard deployment at 02:03:
“I was hoping to prevent this situation from happening. I was trying to encourage the administration that if they deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles, it would create a sense of chaos. It’s the last thing our city needs.”
Federal Officials Stand Firm:
Despite local opposition, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that further federal intervention might be imminent:
“If we see danger to our country and to our citizens, we’ll be very, very strong in terms of law and order.” (02:34) Additionally, Trump hinted at the possibility of deploying active-duty Marines if the situation worsens:
“The bar for sending Marines is what I think it is.” (02:34)
2. US-China Trade Talks Shift Focus to Critical Exports
Trade Negotiations in London:
Delegates from the United States and China convened in London for pivotal trade talks, shifting the focus from traditional tariff disputes to critical export controls. Ling Ling Wei, WSJ’s chief China correspondent, elaborated on the agenda at 03:19:
“The US side is going to press Chinese negotiators to speed up exports of rare earths, as they agreed to in Geneva last month. The Chinese negotiators, on the other hand, will push Washington to remove recent restrictions on the sale of jet engines and a wide variety of technology and products to China.”
Impact on Global Supply Chains:
These negotiations are crucial for the global economy, as the existing trade restrictions have significantly disrupted supply chains, affecting the flow of goods, raw materials, and components worldwide. London was chosen as a neutral venue to facilitate these high-stakes discussions.
3. International Incidents: Israeli Blockade and Colombian Political Violence
Greta Thunberg’s Activism Blocked:
In an early morning operation, Israeli forces intercepted a sailboat carrying activists, including renowned climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, as it attempted to breach the Israeli blockade on Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the interception and stated that the activists would be returned to their home countries. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition involved highlighted that the interception took place in international waters near Egypt's Port Said.
Political Violence in Colombia:
Amid the run-up to next year’s presidential election, Colombian presidential hopeful Senator Miguel Uribe survived a deadly shooting by a teenage gunman. This incident has reignited fears of political violence reminiscent of the tumultuous 1980s and 90s in Colombia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack at 10:08, stating:
“After years of progress, Colombia can’t afford to go back to the dark days of political violence.” He emphasized that such violence poses a direct threat to democracy.
4. Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference and AI Challenges
Apple’s Strategic Positioning:
Apple is set to launch its Worldwide Developers Conference amidst a challenging year, where its stock has plummeted by 20%. Dan Gallagher, Tech columnist, discussed the company’s hurdles at 05:56:
“They’re facing this challenge of tariffs and this trade war between the US and China, and China is still where most of their products are made. They’re also facing the risk that there’s been these legal cases that are threatening fees from their app store.”
AI Progress Under Scrutiny:
Apple’s foray into artificial intelligence (AI) has been met with skepticism. Gallagher noted at 05:56:
“Specifically to this conference, Apple is seen as now trailing behind where it should be in AI. There was some thinking that they would take their time, do it right... That hasn’t proved to be the case.” The company’s hardware-centric business model contrasts with tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, which dominate the AI and cloud computing sectors.
Future Insights:
Listeners can anticipate more in-depth analysis from Dan Gallagher on Apple’s AI strategies in the upcoming Tech News Briefing podcast.
5. China’s Dependence on American Pharmaceuticals Amid Self-Sufficiency Drive
China’s Strategic Exceptions:
Despite its vigorous push towards economic self-sufficiency, China has made a significant exception for American pharmaceuticals. Stu Wu and Kate Bullivant delved into this topic, highlighting that the import of advanced American medicines is integral to China’s healthcare ambitions.
Details on Pharmaceutical Imports:
Marco Rubio revealed at 08:08:
“China quietly released some exemptions to tariffs from stuff imported from America. This included a bunch of medicines, many of which are common things like cough suppressants as well as vaccines. But they’re also not tariffing some of the more advanced medicines like you might see for cancer or HIV treatment.” This strategic move supports China’s goal to elevate its healthcare standards to those of wealthy nations by 2030.
Economic Realities:
At 10:03, Rubio explained why China relies on American drug manufacturers:
“It has to do with the economics of making advanced drugs. You need a lot of money in investments and you need a big wealthy market to pay for these innovations. What country can do that? The United States can.” While China excels in manufacturing generic pharmaceuticals, it is still in the nascent stages of developing advanced, innovative drugs necessary for treating complex conditions like cancer and HIV.
Future Outlook:
Although China currently imports approximately $7 billion worth of American drugs annually, there is an expectation that this reliance will diminish as China accelerates its own pharmaceutical innovations, potentially producing advanced drugs at lower costs (11:09).
Conclusion
This episode of WSJ What’s News provides a comprehensive overview of significant events shaping the current socio-political and economic landscapes. From the intense protests in Los Angeles leading to federal military intervention, critical US-China trade negotiations, and international incidents involving prominent figures, to Apple’s strategic challenges in AI and China’s nuanced approach to pharmaceutical imports, the podcast offers in-depth insights into matters that influence global markets and governance.
This summary is based on the transcript provided and captures the essential discussions and insights presented in the June 9, 2025, episode of WSJ’s What’s News.