Virtually every product brought into the United States must have a so-called "country of origin." Think of it as the official place it comes from. And this is the country that counts for calculating tariffs.
But what does it really mean when something is a "Product of China"? How much of it actually comes from China? And how do customs officials draw the line?
Here in the U.S., the rules are delightfully counterintuitive. A product's country of origin is not necessarily where that product got on the container ship to come here. It's not necessarily where most of its ingredients are from or even where most of the manufacturing happened.
Our system is much stranger. The answers can be surprisingly philosophical — and at times, even poetic.
This episode of Planet Money was produced by James Sneed with help from Sylvie Douglis. It was edited by Jess Jiang, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez, and engineered by Kwesi Lee. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.
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Motley Fool Money - Uber Hits Gas on Autonomous Vehicles
Disney’s building coasters; Uber’s hailing robotaxis. Which ride has the better growth engine?
(00:14) David Meier and Mary Long discuss earnings from Disney and Uber.
Then, (15:22), Ricky Mulvey talks with Gerard Barron, the CEO of The Metals Company, about the political hurdles TMC needs to clear in order to pick up rocks from the ocean floor.
Companies discussed: DIS, UBER, GOOG, TMC
Host: Mary Long
Guests: David Meier, Gerard Barron
Producer: Ricky Mulvey
Engineer: Rick Engdahl
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The Journal. - The Financial Mess Facing the Vatican
Just days before his death, Pope Francis wrestled with an enormous problem: the Vatican’s dire finances. The world’s smallest country is now facing a budget deficit of millions, and a looming crisis in its pension fund. As the Papal conclave meets this week to vote for a new leader, WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw pieces through how centuries of financial mismanagement have culminated into a mess that the next pope will inherit. Jessica Mendoza hosts.
Further Listening:
- Pope Francis Has Died. What’s Next for the Catholic Church?
- The Mormon Church’s $100 Billion Secret Fund
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Marketplace All-in-One - The million-dollar starter home?
On today’s episode: Marketplace’s Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to discuss two stories from opposite ends of the housing spectrum – cuts to rental assistance programs and the soaring cost of starter homes. Then, Kimberly explains yet another reason why the rest of the world is giving the U.S. major side-eye. And we’ll smile about a slimy substance that might help keep microplastics at bay and parrots connecting over Facetime.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
- “Proposed cuts to housing programs could affect millions, experts warn” from The Washington Post
- “Where starter homes cost at least $1 million” by Axios
- This Is Uncomfortable Season 11 from Marketplace
- “You Have a Message From Taiwan” by The Wall Street Journal
- “Why the Asian currency blowup matters” from Axios
- “Scientists Taught Pet Parrots to Video Call Each Other—and the Birds Loved It” from Smithsonian Magazine
- “Okra and fenugreek extracts remove most microplastics from water, finds research” on Phys.org
Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
Global News Podcast - Kashmir crisis questions
Why are tensions escalating between India and Pakistan? Our team of BBC experts explain, after India launches missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Five Indian jets were downed, Pakistan says.
The Bulwark Podcast - S2 Ep1037: Katie Phang and Greg Casar: Trump & Co Are the Real Flag Burners
The Supreme Court is working hard to tend to Mr. Presidential Immunity's wounds because he just can't abide lower federal court judges telling him he can't kick trans people out of the military, or that the 14th Amendment is a real thing. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem is defiling her own birthright citizenship by kidnapping people and sending them to a foreign gulag. Plus, how the Dems should fight the party that only wants to break things—and craft a better economic message that appeals to both moderates and progressives.
Rep. Greg Casar of Texas and Katie Phang join Tim Miller.
show notes
Rep. Greg Casar of Texas and Katie Phang join Tim Miller.
show notes
Audio Poem of the Day - Vase Poppies
by Jennifer Scappettone
CoinDesk Podcast Network - U.S.-China Tariff Talks Set for Weekend Triggers $97K BTC | COINDESK DAILY
Host Christine Lee breaks down the latest news in the crypto industry as optimism grows for a potential U.S.-China trade deal.
Bitcoin surging to about $97,000 along with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 as optimism grows for a potential U.S.-China trade deal as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to meet Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend. Plus, Ethereum's Pectra upgrade goes live and the first U.S. crypto reserve is signed into law in New Hampshire. CoinDesk's Christine Lee hosts "CoinDesk Daily."
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This episode was hosted by Christine Lee. “CoinDesk Daily” is produced by Christine Lee and edited by Victor Chen.
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WSJ What’s News - What’s News in Earnings: How Car Companies Are Prepping for Tariffs
Bonus Episode for May 7. Big automakers are bracing for tariffs. General Motors, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla say they’re strategizing to address possible price increases and supply-chain disruptions. Automotive regulatory reporter Ryan Felton analyzes the latest earnings results from car companies to explain what they’re doing and what it could mean for customers.
Julia Carpenter hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies’ earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what’s going on under the hood of the American economy.
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Federalist Radio Hour - ‘You’re Wrong’ With Mollie Hemingway And David Harsanyi, Ep. 148: Pulitzers
Join Washington Examiner Senior Writer David Harsanyi and Federalist Editor-In-Chief Mollie Hemingway as they discuss the pro-abortion propaganda that won a Pulitzer Prize, analyze Sen. John Fetterman's family drama, and weigh in on President Donald Trump's self-deportation policies. Mollie and David also share their thoughts on the band Devo, MobLand, and 10 Things I Hate About You.
If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.
If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.