A Not-So-Conscious Uncoupling

What's Happening

International

A Not-So-Conscious Uncoupling 

What's going on: Just after midnight, the US hit China with a tariff trifecta — a crushing 104% levy that blends the existing 20% tariffs, a 34% “reciprocal” duty, and a fresh 50% retaliatory hike. The move affects a wide range of Chinese imports, including shoes, computers, toys, and EV batteries — most of which were already getting pricier thanks to earlier levies. While Trump has signaled flexibility with allies like Japan, he’s taking a tougher line with China. The message? Roll back your tariffs, or we’ll keep raising ours. US officials say “scores” of countries now want to strike a trade deal, but Beijing isn’t budging, vowing to “fight to the end.” Markets briefly bounced back on Tuesday after the White House suggested negotiations might be possible. But with no talks scheduled and rising tensions, a full-blown trade war is looking more likely than not.

What it means: Trump says tariffs are his leverage — but there’s no clear roadmap. His team’s inconsistent messaging about what the endgame is (or whether these tariffs will even stick) isn’t doing much to calm the markets. Some insiders say the chaos and unpredictability are part of the strategy. But businesses are left scrambling, unsure how to plan ahead. This isn’t just an American problem either. Since the US and China make up 43% of the global GDP, their economic pain could ripple across the world. Bottom line: Consumers will feel this. With no carveouts and price-sensitive categories hit hardest, costs for everything from phones to cars could jump — fast. Economists say this is a man-made crisis, with one Democratic lawmaker adding: “The US economy has gone from the envy of the world to a laughingstock in less time than it took to finish March Madness.”

Related: A Fox News Pundit Claims Tariffs Will Make Men…More Manly (The Independent)

Immigration

The IRS's New Side Hustle: Helping ICE

What's going on: As the tax deadline looms, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is making a major policy shift: It has agreed to share the personal information of undocumented migrants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to partially redacted court documents, the IRS must turn over details (like home addresses) when immigration officials request them — as long as it’s tied to a criminal investigation or involves someone already under deportation orders. The New York Times reports ICE’s goal is to use IRS data to deport as many as 7 million people. Some IRS officials have been sounding the alarm for weeks, saying sharing personal information could violate federal laws. Meanwhile, there are reports that the IRS’s acting commissioner plans to resign over the agreement. She’s the third person to hold the role since January.

What it means: The Yale Budget Lab says undocumented workers paid an estimated $66 billion to Uncle Sam in 2023. But if fear keeps them from filing, the federal government could lose $313 billion over the next decade. The Trump administration maintains that access to the data is necessary to protect Americans, speed up deportations, and protect against Social Security fraud. In reality, many undocumented workers don’t benefit from the majority of federal programs that their taxes pay for, according to the National Immigration Law Center. Democrats and immigrant rights groups have criticized the move, saying it deters people from paying taxes and erodes trust in the IRS. Some legal experts also warn that letting ICE tap into the IRS’s databases could set a dangerous precedent that threatens everyone’s privacy.

Related: DOGE’s IRS Cuts Could Cost the Government More Than It Would Save (ProPublica)

Health

New Study Links Maternal Diabetes to Higher Risk of ADHD and Learning Delays in Kids

What's going on: Health experts have long believed there is some kind of link between maternal diabetes and neurodevelopmental risks in children — and now, a massive new study offers stronger evidence. Researchers looked at data from over 56 million pregnancies and found that children born to women with diabetes (either pre-existing or gestational) were 28% more likely to be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental condition — particularly ADHD and intellectual disabilities. The risk was even higher for women who had Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes before becoming pregnant. One researcher said the consistency of the findings, given the size of the dataset, was “surprising.”

What it means: Scientists still aren’t sure why the connection exists. The study’s authors suggest it could be because diabetes might increase inflammation in children while in the womb or affect how genes are expressed — altering their function. Importantly, the study doesn’t prove diabetes directly causes these conditions — other factors like genetics could also play a role. Still, experts say it underscores how critical it is to manage blood sugar during pregnancy. About 15 million women in the US have diabetes, and nearly 1 in 10 pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends working closely with a specialist, exercising, and eating well to help manage glucose levels during pregnancy.

Related: Meghan Markle Revealed a “Huge” Pregnancy-Related Health Scare in a Podcast (NBC)

Highlight Reel

BY SKIMM SPORTS

The week's sports news and culture stories, ranked.

Hang it in the Louvre: One UConn player’s parents flew across continents to watch her play in the title game… and they got a piece of the net.

Speaking up: An NFL GM took a stand for women, announcing he won’t even look at players with a history of domestic violence.

Masterful: One tournament’s keeping its concession prices frozen in time — even the egg salad sandwich. Have they seen the price of eggs?

A new kind of playbook:  This ESPN personality says he might run for president. Could he be the Democrats’ “Hail Mary?"

Settle This

Eating this fruit might be just as good for your muscles as protein. Which one is it?

Extra Credit

Eat

Listen, we’re not in the business of misleading people, but if you want to trick your friends (or even yourself) into thinking you’re an amateur chef, you should 100% serve this Pappardelle, Peas, and Prosciutto recipe from Diane Morrisey’s new cookbook, You Got This! Inspired by a childhood staple, the deceptively easy dish features wide ribbons of pasta, crispy crumbles of salty prosciutto, velvety sweet peas, and a wonderfully creamy, cheesy, and zesty sauce. Top with fresh parsley and extra Parmigiano-Reggiano — and you’ve basically got spring incarnate.

Game Time

Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. This one even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. Go on.