The Excerpt: News Roundup for March 3rd, 2025

A Ukraine Peace Plan Emerges Amidst Political Wrangling

Good morning. I’m Taylor Wilson, and welcome to The Excerpt for Monday, March 3rd, 2025. Today, we delve into the complex world of international relations, domestic economic challenges, and inspiring human stories. Our top story focuses on Europe’s ambitious attempt to broker peace in Ukraine, a situation complicated by shifting political winds on both sides of the Atlantic.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced yesterday that European leaders have collectively agreed to formulate a concrete peace plan for Ukraine, a plan they intend to present to the United States. This announcement arrives hot on the heels of a tense summit in London, just two days after a publicized clash between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The details of this clash remain somewhat obscure, but its clear the relationship between the two leaders is strained.

European leaders, acutely aware of the changing geopolitical landscape, have reportedly conceded the need for increased defense spending. This move is interpreted as an attempt to demonstrate to President Trump that the European continent possesses the capacity to protect itself, a reassurance likely intended to maintain American commitment to European security. Adding another layer to the complex situation, the European Union is also reportedly considering easing rules that currently limit member states’ debt levels. This potential shift could provide greater financial flexibility for countries to invest in defense and other critical areas.

Meanwhile, stateside, House Speaker Mike Johnson injected further uncertainty into the situation by suggesting yesterday that President Zelenskyy may need to resign in order to salvage any potential peace process between Ukraine and Russia. Johnson’s statement adds a significant political dimension to the already delicate situation.

For the latest developments on this evolving story, you can find comprehensive coverage at usatoday.com.

Auto Industry Grapples with Policy Volatility

The automotive industry, a cornerstone of the American economy, finds itself navigating turbulent waters as it attempts to adapt to rapidly changing policy decisions. The industry’s reliance on long-term planning and substantial capital investments makes it particularly vulnerable to sudden shifts in government regulations and trade policies.

President Donald Trump has announced that tariffs of 25% on Mexican and Canadian goods will take effect tomorrow, accompanied by an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports. These tariffs threaten to disrupt established supply chains and significantly increase the cost of manufacturing vehicles.

To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the auto industry, I spoke with Jamie LaReau, a seasoned automotive reporter from the Detroit Free Press. Jamie emphasized the extensive lead times involved in automotive production, stating that "new technology, all of those things, those are long-term investments that start often six or seven years before you or I ever see that product in a dealership showroom."

She further explained that even relatively simple adjustments, such as relocating manufacturing capacity from Mexico to the United States, require extensive retooling of assembly lines, a process that can take upwards of a year and cost millions of dollars.

The global nature of the automotive industry further complicates matters. Cars are manufactured and sold across international borders, and components frequently cross borders multiple times during the production process. Jamie provided a compelling example: wiring harnesses may originate in Japan, travel to Mexico for integration into steering columns, then be shipped to Texas for airbag installation, before returning to Mexico for final assembly in a vehicle destined for the United States. The potential for tariffs to be levied each time a component crosses a border raises serious concerns about the cost of vehicles increasing beyond what consumers are willing to pay.

The transition to electric vehicles is also contributing to the uncertainty facing the auto industry. Automakers are currently in a state of limbo regarding product planning, with many delaying or putting on hold EV programs due to policy uncertainty. President Biden had previously set a target of 50% zero-emission passenger car and light truck sales by 2030, but this policy was rescinded by President Trump upon taking office.

Jamie highlighted that industry leaders are actively engaging with the Trump administration in an effort to communicate the potential consequences of these policy changes. "They have been out there, very open with the media that they have been having conversations with President Trump and his administration to explain, ‘Hey, we want a strong American economy as well, a strong manufacturing base, but here’s how these policy changes would affect the industry.’"

DEI Rollbacks Reverse Gains for Black Workers

As attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives intensify during President Trump’s second term, Black workers are experiencing a reversal of the incremental progress they had achieved in recent years. The rollback of DEI programs raises concerns about the long-term impact on workplace diversity and equal opportunity.

In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched a high-profile initiative to promote equal opportunity, calling on its members to tear down barriers for Black Americans and other people of color. However, this initiative disappeared from the Chamber’s website shortly before President Trump took office.

This is just one example of a broader trend of companies quietly walking back diversity initiatives in response to pressure from conservative organizations that argue DEI programs focus on race and gender at the expense of individual merit.

To better understand the impact of these rollbacks, I spoke with USA TODAY senior reporter Jessica Guynn. Jessica shared data revealing that the number of Black executives in S&P 100 companies rose by nearly 27% from 2020 to 2022. However, in 2023, as the anti-DEI campaign gained momentum, the ranks of Black executives fell by 3%, twice the rate of white executives. Despite these efforts, Black Americans are still vastly outnumbered by white people in executive roles.

DEI advocates argue that these figures demonstrate the continued need for policies and initiatives that remove barriers and expand the talent pool. While acknowledging that some past DEI initiatives may have been ineffective or legally risky, they emphasize the importance of creating more diverse and welcoming workplaces for everyone.

Looking ahead, experts anticipate that Black workers may continue to lose ground in the current political and legal climate, with companies like Meta completely abandoning DEI programs. However, some companies remain committed to diversity and are staying the course.

Anora’s Triumph at the Oscars and a Touching Story of Resilience

The Academy Awards celebrated independent cinema with Anora winning Best Picture. Beyond the predictable calls for unity amid global conflicts, actor Adrien Brody secured a big win, alongside an unusually lengthy acceptance speech. Mikey Madison received Best Actress, a surprise win over Demi Moore,

Sean Baker, Anora’s director, received Best Director, using his speech to advocate the significance of movie theaters.

Sean Baker: "Right now, the theater going experience is under threat. Movie theaters, especially independently owned theaters are struggling and its up to us to support them. If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture."

Finally, we introduce "Kind Time," a new segment to inspire. Cade Belyeu, an Auburn Tigers baseball player, played in the season opener after his mom succumbed to cancer. Terry Baddoo shared his story of playing for his mom.

Butch Thompson: "One of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen in 32 years of coaching was Cade Belyeu hitting a home run for his mom."

Cade’s story and more inspirational stories can be viewed on Humankind at usatoday.com.

The program concluded with a promotion for "Women of the Year" stories.

Thank you for listening to The Excerpt.