Author: Marketplace

Today we’re ditching the drama on Earth and talking about K2-18b, an exoplanet 120 light-years away. K2-18b recently made headlines after researchers claimed to observe possible “signs of life” in the planet's atmosphere. So, did we find aliens? Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist and analog astronaut, said it’s too early to tell. On the show today, Musilova breaks down the debate over K2-18b, why better telescopes are needed to find definitive proof of life on another planet, and why President Trump’s proposed funding cuts to NASA could disrupt this search. Plus, what’s it like to be an analog astronaut, and what do they actually do?

Then, why a healthy reading diet contains both “broccoli” and “chocolate pie” books. And, Jessamine Chan, author of “The School for Good Mothers,” answers the Make Me Smart question.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet" from The New York Times
• "Does exoplanet K2-18b host alien life or not? Here's why the debate continues" from Space 
• "Experts alarmed as White House proposes 'largest single-year cut to NASA in American history'" from Space 
• "NASA’s Don Pettit Shot 220 Days of Amazing Photos From the I.S.S." from The New York Times 
• "What’s in Trump and Republicans’ giant tax and immigration bill?" from The Washington Post

• "Republican Tax Plan Boosts SALT Deduction, Ends Green-Energy Breaks" from The Wall Street Journal 

  
  

  Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The consumer price index hit an annual rate of 2.3% last month. Consumer inflation clocked in at 0.2% from March to April — less than expected. While folks feel uncertain about the future, some data could reveal a more encouraging picture. Also on the program: how higher tariffs translate to revenue for the federal government and how an energy efficiency program that could get axed helps households and businesses save billions.

The stock market mess many connect to President Donald Trump's intense tariff policy is, as of this morning, largely corrected. We'll unpack the recent market rollercoaster ride and discuss what to make of it all. Plus, a sweeping tax bill could extend many tax cuts from Trump's first term — but plenty of twists are expected ahead. And Trump is in Saudi Arabia for a four-day trip to the Gulf. What's on the agenda?

From the BBC World Service: Japanese carmaker Nissan will cut 20,000 jobs globally as it struggles with falling sales in China and heavy price discounts in the U.S. We'll hear more. And later in the program, leaders and economists in Africa gather in Togo to discuss the continent's debt challenges. Plus: slashed duties on parcels from China and Hong Kong to the U.S. and calls for unity from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The remedy phase of one of the antitrust cases against Google wrapped up last week and the judge is expected to issue his decision by August on how the company must address its monopoly in search. One option suggested by the Justice Department: ban Google from paying browsers to make its search engine the default. But Mozilla, the developer of the independent Firefox browser, has opposed this remedy. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Laura Chambers, CEO of the Mozilla Corporation, about how the move would be crippling for smaller browsers like theirs.

For the next 90 days, the two countries will temporarily ease tariffs on each other’s goods as trade talks continue. But what does this deal mean for the broader economy? Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal sits down with Adam Posen from the Peterson Institute for International Economics to discuss the damage that's already been done. Also on the show, how soybean farmers feel about the latest trade deal and why Chinese manufacturers are trying to reach American consumers via TikTok.

House Republicans’ newly released tax plan includes trillions in tax breaks. But those tax cuts will come at a cost. We’ll get into it. And, Apple plans to raise iPhone prices but won’t point fingers at President Trump’s tariffs. We’ll unpack how all the tariff chaos could lead to elevated prices, no matter what they actually cost companies. Plus, sci-fi escapism and Pope Leo XIV’s love of baseball make us smile.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Exclusive | Apple Considers Raising iPhone Prices, Without Blaming Tariffs" from The Wall Street Journal 
• "With China tariffs on hold, will Americans stop stockpiling goods?" from Marketplace 
• "House GOP unleashes sweeping tax legislation" from Politico 
• "House tax writers eye SALT deduction cap rejected by key lawmakers last week" from The Hill
• "Why Tolkien thought "sub-creation" was the secret to great fantasy and science fiction" from Big Think 

• "Pope Leo asks fan 'Sox or Cubs?' as he signs a baseball" from The Chicago Sun-Times 

  
  

  Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

U.S. tariffs against China have been cut from 145% to 30% as part of a new 90-day trade deal. This is still higher than when President Donald Trump assumed office and could result in higher consumer prices and lower corporate profits. Also: Student loans follow some borrowers into retirement. The number of student borrowers over 62 rose by 59% from 2017 to 2023, and older borrowers are twice as likely to default than their younger peers.

From Apple to Audi, consumer goods companies have been reporting rising sales as consumers splurge on what they need before tariffs hit their pocketbooks. But that preemptive spending could cost consumers later down the line. Also on the show: $500 billion worth of goods are at stake in the temporary trade deal between the U.S. and China, and Trump administration policies have complicated the economic outlook for tribal nations.

From the BBC World Service: There's been a thaw in U.S.-China relations, with a 90-day deal to ease their escalating trade war. Both sides say they’ll cut tariffs by 115% — a big step, given that the U.S. was charging 145% on some Chinese goods. Plus, U.S. President Donald Trump will start his first foreign visit with a three-day Middle East tour this week. The economy will be high on the agenda.