Good morning — this is the Up First briefing. Subscribe to the newsletter and listen to the Up First podcast for the day’s top stories.
President Trump departs today for a state visit to China, his first trip to Beijing in his second term. Trade and the ongoing conflict with Iran are expected to dominate discussions. China and Iran maintain close ties, raising questions about whether Beijing has provided assistance to Tehran as U.S. military pressure continues. The administration has been conducting strikes on Iran and has moved to blockade vessels connected to the country.
Officials and analysts expect China to announce purchases of agricultural goods — notably soybeans — and possibly aircraft as part of the visit. Big purchase announcements have become a hallmark of Trump’s foreign trips, though reporters note such deals sometimes overstate their long-term significance. Experts say both Washington and Beijing want a more stable bilateral relationship; unlike some predecessors who emphasized human rights and Taiwan, Trump has publicly highlighted transactional deals and expressed admiration for President Xi’s authority. This visit may be the first of multiple meetings between the two leaders this year.
A fresh NPR/Chicago Council on Global Affairs/Ipsos poll shows many Americans view China as an economic rival with global ambitions.
New inflation data due this morning is expected to show how the war with Iran is affecting consumer prices. The most visible impact for U.S. consumers has been rising gasoline prices; the White House has proposed a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax, which currently stands at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel — a measure that would require congressional approval. As the conflict heads into its 11th week, higher fuel costs are spilling into other areas of the economy.
Airline fares and baggage fees are climbing as carriers face sharply higher jet fuel costs and pass them to travelers. Rising diesel prices also risk pushing up the price of goods transported by truck and rail. The inflation report is also likely to show continued increases in housing costs, a major component of the government’s consumer-price measures. The president has urged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but analysts say a rate reduction is less likely while inflation pressures tied to global supply and energy remain elevated; raising rates would not quickly address fuel shortages or bottlenecks caused by the conflict.
In other national news:
– The Supreme Court gave itself a short extension to consider whether telemedicine and mail delivery rules for the abortion pill mifepristone should be restricted. Justice Samuel Alito extended an earlier order by three days, keeping current prescribing-by-telemedicine rules in place through at least Thursday. An appeals court had previously reinstated pre-pandemic rules requiring in-person dispensing, a change the FDA said in 2021 was medically unnecessary. The case centers on state challenges arguing telemedicine access conflicts with state abortion restrictions.
– President Trump nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hamilton, a former acting FEMA head, would become the first Senate-confirmed FEMA leader since Trump’s second term began. He previously ran the agency in an acting role, has experience in emergency planning from time with the State Department and Department of Homeland Security, and is a former Navy SEAL. He was removed from the acting position last year after a public dispute with administration officials about the agency’s future.
What’s Eating America
A special series looks at how food, inflation and economic shifts are changing where Americans shop. Food insecurity rose during the pandemic and grocery prices have stayed high, prompting shoppers to seek lower-cost options. Consumers and retailers are responding in several ways:
– Discount chains like Aldi and Lidl operate smaller stores with leaner inventories and lower operating costs, letting them sell staples more cheaply.
– Warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club leverage huge buying power to offer savings attractive to larger households.
– Store-brand products are gaining market share; private-label sales have been growing faster than national brands.
– Shoppers are planning purchases more carefully — using lists, comparing prices online, and avoiding impulse buys.
NPR is offering a newsletter series with tips to plan and cook affordable meals over four weeks and guidance on saving when dining out.
Watch This
NPR’s Newsmakers video podcast sits down with major public figures. Recent coverage features Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won a Nobel Prize for promoting democracy and left Venezuela late last year to accept the award. Expectations that she would immediately assume power after Nicolás Maduro’s capture did not materialize; Machado has faced threats that delayed her return. She discussed her new book, The Freedom Manifesto, the challenges of rebuilding Venezuela, and the personal pressures of being a global political figure in an interview on Newsmakers.
3 things to know before you go
1) Late-night hosts John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon joined Stephen Colbert for one of Colbert’s final CBS shows. 2) The Cultural Landscape Foundation sued the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior over plans to resurface and paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. 3) A NewsGuard/YouGov poll found roughly 30% of Americans believe at least one of three past attempts on Trump’s life was staged.
This briefing was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.