WSJ What’s News Summary: "Why Women Are Falling Behind Amid the Return to Office" Release Date: July 14, 2025

Introduction

In the July 14th episode of WSJ What’s News, host Luke Vargas navigates a range of pivotal topics shaping today’s business and political landscape. From escalating trade tensions and shifts in global defense support to significant developments in the education sector and the evolving dynamics of the modern workplace, this episode delves into the intricacies affecting both markets and societal structures. A focal point of the discussion centers on the gender disparities emerging as companies increasingly mandate a return to in-person work environments.

1. Escalating US Tariffs on the EU and Mexico Timestamp: 00:48

President Donald Trump has intensified trade negotiations by threatening to impose a 30% tariff on goods from the European Union (EU) and Mexico starting August 1st. These tariffs target America’s two largest trading partners unless favorable trade deals are reached with Washington.

• EU's Response: The European Commission is preparing to introduce a second round of retaliatory tariffs. Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission President, emphasized the EU's readiness to implement the Anti Coercion Instrument (ACI) if negotiations falter.

  Ursula von der Leyen (01:50): "The ACI is created for extraordinary situations. We are not there yet. This is very important. This is now the time for negotiations, but this also shows we are prepared for all eventual scenarios."

Despite ongoing negotiations, the EU has signaled preparedness for various outcomes, reflecting the tense trade environment.

2. US-China Trade Relations and Economic Forecasts Timestamp: 02:09

Recent trade data from China revealed a 5.8% year-over-year increase in exports, surpassing expectations. This improvement follows a June truce between Washington and Beijing, which resulted in a moderation of tariff-related declines in US-bound shipments.

Economists remain cautious, noting that the recovery might be influenced by US importers stockpiling ahead of the August 12th expiration of the truce. Nonetheless, sentiments are optimistic, with forecasts indicating:

• Higher GDP growth expectations.
• Reduced recession risks.
• A more moderated inflation outlook compared to April.

Quentin Webb, Deputy Finance Editor (03:13):

"Economists expect gross domestic product, or GDP, growth of 1% in the fourth quarter, which is better than in April, when it was just 0.8%, but half of the figure that was expected back in January. Hanging over the survey, of course, is just this very muddy outlook based on trade."

Webb cautions that while current indicators are positive, the long-term impact of ongoing tariffs remains uncertain.

3. US Support for Ukraine Amid Rising Tensions Timestamp: 04:16

President Trump announced the US will supply Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems to bolster Kyiv’s defenses against escalating Russian assaults. While the exact number of systems remains undisclosed, Trump stated the funding would be sourced from the EU.

His remarks at Andrews Air Force Base also included heightened criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump (04:44): "Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. So there's a little bit of a problem there. I don't like it."

Trump is anticipated to discuss a significant announcement related to Russia in an upcoming meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

4. Elon Musk’s SpaceX Investment in XAI and Cryptocurrency Developments Timestamp: 04:53

In exclusive reporting, it was revealed that Elon Musk’s SpaceX has committed $2 billion to his artificial intelligence venture, XAI. This investment is part of a broader $5 billion equity fundraising spearheaded by Morgan Stanley, following the merger of XAI with Musk’s social media platform, X.

Additionally, Bitcoin reached a record high, momentarily surpassing $122,000 before a slight pullback as investors anticipate significant cryptocurrency-related legislative debates in the House of Representatives. These discussions aim to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets, a long-standing demand within the crypto industry.

5. Federal Government’s Shift in Student Lending Policies Timestamp: 07:10

The federal government is retracting its extensive role in financing higher education, influenced by provisions in President Trump’s tax and spending law. These changes introduce new limitations on student borrowing and repayment methods, effectively reversing decades of government oversight in the $1.7 trillion student loan market.

Dalvin Brown, Personal Finance Reporter (07:39):

"Starting in 2026, the government will cap how much students and parents can borrow. Grad students will be able to take out up to $100,000 for master's degrees or $200,000 for programs like law school and medical school."

Key alterations include:

• Borrowing Caps: Limits on both student and parent loans, pushing more borrowers toward private loans with potentially higher interest rates.
• Repayment Plans: Introduction of fixed monthly and new income-driven repayment options, with forgiveness available after 30 years.
• Deferment Eliminations: Removal of options for deferment due to job loss or economic hardship.

These changes prompt families to reassess the financial viability and risks associated with pursuing higher education.

6. The Gender Gap in the Return to Office Timestamp: 07:10 – 12:35

As corporations like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase mandate a return to in-person work, emerging data from a Labor Department survey reveals a troubling trend: a disproportionate number of men are resuming office attendance compared to women. Specifically, in 2024, only 29% of employed men worked from home on an average day, down from 34% the previous year, whereas the figure for women remained steady at 36%.

T'Ping Chen, Journal Reporter (09:03):

"When you look at surveys, you do see that women broadly tend to want to spend more time working remotely than men do. ... women still have the lion's share of child rearing, caregiving responsibilities, household chores, et cetera."

Discussion with Kate Bullivant:

Chen and Bullivant explore the multifaceted reasons behind this gender disparity:

• Caregiving Responsibilities: Women disproportionately shoulder caregiving and household duties, influencing their preference for remote work to balance professional and personal responsibilities.

• Career Advancement Concerns: Remote workers, particularly women, are more likely to be overlooked for promotions. Lack of in-person presence can reduce mentorship opportunities and visibility within organizations.

  Chen (09:40):

  "It varies a lot, depending obviously on your situation and your stage of career, broadly speaking. ... But it offers flexibility, which a lot of women need in order to feel like they can balance all the different priorities that they have."

• Economic Implications: Economists express concern that reduced office presence may hinder women's career trajectories, potentially widening existing gender gaps in leadership and remuneration.

Ursula von der Leyen's Contribution:

While not directly related to the gender topic, von der Leyen’s insights on trade negotiations provide a broader context of the economic environment impacting workforce dynamics.

Conclusion of Discussion:

The conversation highlights the critical need for corporate policies that accommodate the unique challenges faced by women in the workforce, especially as the landscape shifts towards traditional office-based roles.

Final Thoughts from T'Ping Chen (11:43):

"It's always hard to make predictions, but one thing that we do see very consistently is that as we have seen more return to office mandates, the gender gap really has widened pre and post pandemic, and it's hard to see what would change that."

The persistent gender gap underscores the importance of developing inclusive workplace strategies that support diversity and equality in career advancement opportunities.

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with acknowledgments to the production team and a preview of upcoming shows, promising continued coverage on the pressing issue of gender disparities in the evolving work environment.

Notable Quotes

• Ursula von der Leyen (01:50): "The ACI is created for extraordinary situations. We are not there yet. ... we are prepared for all eventual scenarios."

• Quentin Webb (03:13): "Economists expect gross domestic product, or GDP, growth of 1% in the fourth quarter... But Deputy Finance editor Quentin Webb said time will tell if the improved mood among economists lasts."

• Dalvin Brown (07:39): "Starting in 2026, the government will cap how much students and parents can borrow..."

• T'Ping Chen (09:03): "Women broadly tend to want to spend more time working remotely than men do..."

• T'Ping Chen (11:43): "It's always hard to make predictions, but ... the gender gap really has widened pre and post pandemic..."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the WSJ What’s News episode, providing a clear understanding of the various interconnected issues affecting today's economic and social landscapes.