Trump Announces Trade and Education Policies Amid Global Tensions

President Trump says the U.S. will secure a fair deal with China, amid high tariffs and strained trade relations.

April 24, 2025

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Today’s Highlights

President Trump announced at the White House that the U.S. aims for an equitable trade agreement with China. The imposition of high tariffs has ignited a trade conflict between these economic giants. China retaliated with a 125% tariff on American products following the 145% tariffs the Trump administration applied to Chinese goods. Whether this change in rhetoric will translate into policy changes remains uncertain.

Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images North America

Getty Images North America

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office in February.

🎧NPR’s Asma Khalid highlights two main factors behind this shift. The tariffs’ continuation threatens to severely limit U.S.-China trade. Additionally, the stock market and economic uncertainty linked to these tariffs have pressured a change in tone. Initially, President Trump admitted to possible short-term economic discomfort as a trade-off. Khalid notes that Trump’s team is proud of their deal-making. However, Anna Ashton, formerly with the U.S.-China Business Council, argues that the White House’s inconsistent threats hinder negotiations with China’s President Xi Jinping.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance are urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider a U.S.-endorsed peace plan. Trump criticized Zelenskyy on Truth Social following his rejection of a proposal recognizing Russia’s 2014 Crimea annexation. The situation unfolds as U.S. and Ukraine engage with European officials in London to explore conflict resolution strategies.

🎧The White House hasn’t disclosed specifics of the peace plan publicly, yet NPR’s Charles Maynes suggests its favor towards Russia. For Ukraine, conceding Crimea is unacceptable. Trump pushes for peace, envisioning Kyiv’s leverage as the fastest path to it, leading Maynes to conclude that Trump’s demands of Ukraine aren’t matched by expectations from Russia.

President Trump enacted a series of executive orders targeting education. These directives include abolishing college DEI programs and new disciplinary guidelines for public schools. One order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to revamp the college accreditation process. Another threatens to cut federal university funding unless schools disclose foreign funding promptly.

🎧NPR’s Elissa Nadworny reports that the administration aims to curb colleges’ “ideological overreach” and enhance “intellectual diversity” on campuses. A K-12 initiative seeks to revoke policies addressing racial disparities in disciplinary actions, Nadworny notes. Other actions aim to boost workforce training and AI in schools, reinforcing Trump’s conservative educational agenda in the U.S.

Today’s Listen

How can we uplift our community at this moment and remind ourselves that we're not alone? said Kennia Camacho, host of the radio show Crisis Communicator. — In a small studio near Cesar Chavez Avenue, 19-year-old Kennia Camacho records *Crisis Communicator*, using radio to connect with her Boyle Heights community amid ICE raid fears.

Each Friday evening, Kennia Camacho, a 19-year-old, hosts her radio show Crisis Communicator at station KQBH. She voices the concerns of her community in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, which is predominantly Hispanic and where most households do not speak English at home, per the LA Department of City Planning. Amid rising ICE raid fears, Camacho’s show, launched in 2023, strives to uplift and address the community’s challenges.

In-Depth Insights

The Department of Education says it will resume collections on defaulted student loans on May 5, affecting some 5 million borrowers nationwide.

The Department of Education will restart collections on defaulted student loans for the first time in five years. From May 5, the department may begin reclaiming funds from borrowers’ tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and eventually wages. This affects 5.3 million borrowers who defaulted before the pandemic. NPR gathered insights from experts. Here’s what you should be aware of:

🎓 Borrowers in default will receive reminders of their obligations through emails and social media posts before May 5.

🎓 Individuals can check their status by logging into StudentAid.gov. The dashboard displays outstanding amounts and default warnings.

🎓 To exit default, options include full repayment, loan consolidation, and rehabilitation. Consolidation involves new repayment terms, while rehabilitation requires income-based consecutive on-time payments.

3 Things to Know Before You Go

During the 1980s, Stephanie Garber was involved in a car accident. Though unharmed, the other driver was irate. As she waited for assistance, a kind stranger offered her tea and support.

Eli Lilly, the company behind the weight loss drug Zepbound, is taking legal action against four telehealth companies for allegedly selling unlawful versions of its drug.