Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter.
Today’s top stories
1) Trump travels to China Today President Trump departs for a state visit to Beijing — his first trip there in his second term. Trade will be central to the agenda, and the Iran war looms over talks: China and Iran maintain close ties, and U.S. officials have questioned whether China has materially aided Tehran. The administration’s military campaign against Iran has included weeks of strikes and a blockade of ships with Iranian ties, a reality likely to shape discussions.
Expectations for the visit include announcements of agricultural purchases — soybeans and other crops — and possibly commitments involving Boeing jets. Big purchase announcements have become a hallmark of President Trump’s foreign trips, though analysts warn such declarations often look less consequential after scrutiny. Diplomats and experts say both Washington and Beijing want to steady the relationship. Unlike many past presidents who used visits to press Xi Jinping on human rights or Taiwan, Trump has emphasized deal-making and publicly praised Xi’s leadership. This trip may be the first of multiple leader-level meetings this year, depending on how negotiations progress.
A recent poll from NPR, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Ipsos shows many Americans view China as an economic rival pursuing global influence.
2) New inflation data will show the Iran war’s economic fallout A report due today is expected to make clear how the conflict with Iran is affecting consumer prices. The most visible impact for U.S. shoppers has been higher gasoline prices. The president has proposed temporarily suspending the federal gas tax — which currently stands at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel — but doing that would require an act of Congress.
Fuel cost increases are already pushing up airline ticket prices and baggage fees as carriers pass higher jet-fuel bills to travelers. Rising diesel prices can ripple through the economy by increasing the cost of shipping goods by truck and rail, which can lift prices on a wide range of consumer items. The inflation report is also expected to show higher housing costs, a large component of the government’s cost-of-living index.
The White House is urging the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but economists say that’s unlikely while inflation pressures persist. And while rate increases are a standard tool to fight inflation, they wouldn’t directly ease disruptions in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz or immediately restore jet-fuel supplies affected by the conflict.
3) Supreme Court pauses telemedicine restriction on abortion pill The Supreme Court has given itself a short extension to consider whether to impose a nationwide ban on telemedicine access to mifepristone, the abortion pill. Justice Samuel Alito extended an earlier order by three days, meaning current rules allowing prescriptions by mail or via telehealth will remain in effect at least through Thursday.
A federal appeals court on May 1 reinstated pre-pandemic rules requiring patients to be seen in person before receiving mifepristone — a requirement the FDA determined in 2021 was medically unnecessary. The state of Louisiana sued to block telemedicine access, arguing it undermines its abortion restrictions. Nearly two dozen Democratic-led states filed a brief opposing the appeals court decision, saying it prioritizes the policy choices of some states over others.
4) Trump nominates former acting FEMA chief to lead agency President Trump has nominated Cameron Hamilton to be the Senate-confirmed head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hamilton previously served as acting FEMA administrator but was removed from that role by the administration about a year ago after a public dispute over the agency’s future. If confirmed, he would take the helm as the Atlantic hurricane season approaches.
Hamilton’s résumé includes service as a Navy SEAL and roles in emergency planning for terrorism response at both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
What’s Eating America
Food insecurity spiked during the COVID pandemic and grocery prices have stayed elevated. Inflation, tariffs and industry practices like shrinkflation have pushed more shoppers toward discount grocery chains and warehouse clubs.
How shoppers and retailers are adapting:
– Budget grocers such as Aldi and Lidl operate smaller stores with leaner inventories and lower operating costs.
– Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club leverage bulk buying to keep unit prices down, appealing to larger households.
– Store-brand items are gaining ground: private-label sales have been growing faster than national brands.
– Consumers are trying to avoid impulse buys by using shopping lists more often and comparing prices online.
NPR is offering a four-week guide to planning and cooking affordable meals, with tips on saving at the grocery store and when dining out.
Watch This
NPR’s Newsmakers video podcast features an interview with María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition figure who many expected to lead after authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro was removed earlier this year. Machado, who accepted a Nobel Peace Prize and left Venezuela for safety, describes threats and accusations she has faced, and discusses rebuilding efforts and her new book, The Freedom Manifesto. The conversation explores the personal and political pressures she confronts as an international figure.
3 things to know before you go
1) Late-night stars John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon joined Stephen Colbert on one of Colbert’s final CBS shows.
2) The Cultural Landscape Foundation is suing the National Park Service and the Interior Department over plans to resurface and paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool basin blue.
3) A NewsGuard/YouGov poll found about 30% of Americans believe at least one of several past assassination attempts on Trump was staged.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.