The Excerpt: A Friday Rundown – Tariffs, Shutdowns, and Butterfly Woes
Introduction
The Excerpt podcast, on Friday, March 7th, 2025, navigated a complex landscape of national and international news. Cody Godwin, filling in for Taylor Wilson, guided listeners through pressing issues ranging from a significant shift in President Trump’s trade policies to the looming threat of a government shutdown, and the alarming decline of butterfly populations in the United States. The episode showcased insightful analysis from USA TODAY correspondents, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of these critical developments.
Trump’s Tariff Reversal: A Step Back Amid Market Turmoil
The episode began with a spotlight on President Donald Trump’s latest move regarding tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. White House correspondent Joey Garrison joined the podcast directly from the White House, unraveling the complexities of this developing situation. Garrison highlighted that Trump had issued executive action postponing new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico that are part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for one month. This was a further scaling back from Trump’s earlier announcement of widespread 25% tariffs on goods from these countries.
According to Garrison, Trump had previously exempted auto imports from Canada and Mexico from the tariffs. This new action extends the exemption to all products under the USMCA, effectively shielding about half of Mexico’s imports and 38% of Canada’s imports from being subjected to the tariffs. This retreat from the initial blanket tariffs came on the heels of significant market instability.
Taylor Wilson probed Garrison on Trump’s rationale behind the decision. Garrison noted that Trump signed both the auto exemptions and the USMCA exemptions without offering a detailed explanation. Instead, he focused on the April 2nd date, which he consistently referred to as the day the "reciprocal tariffs" would take effect. These reciprocal tariffs would involve the US imposing the exact same tariff rate on any country’s goods that tariffed US exports.
Garrison emphasized the undeniable connection between Trump’s tariff decisions and the recent volatility in the stock market. The initial announcement of the tariffs had sent shockwaves through the markets, raising concerns among consumers about potential price increases. The promise of lower prices was a cornerstone of Trump’s election campaign, so the tariffs presented a direct challenge to this pledge. Garrison suggested that the backpedaling on the tariffs was likely influenced by these economic pressures.
The conversation also touched on the relationship between Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico. Garrison described Trump’s relationship with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as increasingly hostile, especially given Trudeau’s earlier announcement that he would be stepping down. After Trump’s initial tariff announcement, Trudeau delivered a defiant speech promising retaliatory tariffs. He also criticized Trump for his public dispute with Ukrainian President Zelensky and accused Trump of siding with Russian President Putin. Trump responded by continuing to belittle Trudeau, referring to him as the "governor of Canada" and suggesting Canada could become the 51st US state. In contrast, Trump reportedly had a very productive conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, praising their collaboration on efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigration into the US.
Looking ahead, Garrison emphasized April 2nd as the key date to watch, while also suggesting the possibility of further changes to the current tariff structure. He noted the interesting shift in Trump’s attitude towards the stock market, contrasting his previous celebratory comments about market rises with his recent dismissal of market declines as being driven by "corporate globalist companies."
Government Shutdown Looming: Congress Faces a Critical Deadline
The podcast then turned to the pressing issue of a potential government shutdown. Cody Godwin highlighted the rapidly approaching deadline of March 14th, which is the date federal funding would dry up if Congress failed to pass legislation. A shutdown would force a significant portion of the federal workforce to go without pay and interrupt many government services.
While essential services such as border protection, air traffic control, and social security payments would continue, other programs would face disruptions. National Parks would close, environmental and food inspections would halt, and research at the National Institutes of Health would be affected. Even IRS tax assistance could be interrupted.
Republican leaders in both the House and Senate have expressed a desire to extend current funding, and House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the proposal’s details would be available soon. However, the narrow Republican majority in the House leaves little room for error, requiring near-unanimous GOP support. Democrats in both chambers have cautioned that they would not automatically support the Republican proposal without having a say in its content.
SpaceX Starship Failure: Another Setback in Flight Testing
The episode briefly covered the failure of SpaceX’s Starship rocket during its eighth uncrewed flight. The incident resulted in debris scattering through the sky, temporarily impacting air traffic in South Florida. This was the second such setback for SpaceX since January, with the previous Starship demonstration ending in an explosion. An investigation by SpaceX and the FAA revealed that a series of propellant leaks and fires caused that incident.
Butterfly Decline: A Harbinger of Ecological Trouble
Finally, the podcast addressed the concerning decline of butterfly populations in the United States. National correspondent Elizabeth Weise joined Taylor Wilson to discuss the severity of the problem. Weise reported that butterfly numbers have decreased by 22% across the board from 2000 to 2020. Some species have suffered even greater losses, while only a few species have shown signs of improvement.
Weise explained that the decline is driven by three main factors: habitat loss due to increased development and agriculture, climate change, and the increased use of pesticides. Butterflies in the Southwest are particularly sensitive to heat. Rising temperatures can negatively affect the growth of their preferred food sources, or cause the food to grow at the wrong time of the butterfly life cycle. Increased pesticide use directly kills butterflies when they consume plants treated with insecticides.
Beyond their aesthetic value, butterflies are an important part of the ecosystem. They serve as pollinators, including the cotton crop in Texas. They are also a food source for birds. Weise emphasized that the decline in butterfly populations serves as a broader indicator of the health of the insect world. Insects are critical pollinators for many plants, and their decline has potentially devastating consequences for agriculture and the overall ecosystem.
Despite the dire situation, Weise noted that there are potential solutions. Butterflies reproduce rapidly, so providing more habitat can lead to quick rebounds. Limiting pesticide use and creating pollinator-friendly habitats in backyards can make a difference. Planting native plants, avoiding insecticides, and allowing areas to grow wild can provide butterflies with the food and nesting sites they need. Even leaving a portion of the lawn to grow into a meadow-like area can create valuable butterfly habitat.
Conclusion
The March 7th episode of The Excerpt presented a comprehensive overview of critical issues facing the United States and the world. The insightful analysis from USA TODAY correspondents provided listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities of international trade, the challenges of governing in a divided Congress, and the urgent need to address the ecological crisis. The episode ended on a cautiously optimistic note, highlighting the potential for individuals to contribute to the recovery of butterfly populations and the broader health of the environment.
