Author: Marketplace

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 

  
  

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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.

There was a time not so long ago when it seemed like the most consequential conversations in our society were happening on social media. But as the digital commons spawned mobs, performative posturing and rage-baiting, a lot of those conversations went private. That's one takeaway from the recent Semafor report on the private group chats between tech titans, business leaders and public intellectuals. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Amy Webb, founder and CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group, about the growth of what she calls the Splinternet.

As the Trump administration heads into a weekend of trade talks with Chinese officials, the President is floating a new tariff rate on Chinese imports: 80%. While it’s much lower than the current tariff rate of 145%, it’s still far too high for many businesses. We’ll get into it. And, a recent legal win for Epic Games could shake up Apple’s App Store. Plus, we’ll weigh in on mass producing orchids and going cashless during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "DOJ, FTC open inquiry into the concert industry" from The L.A. Times 
• "Fortnite applies to launch on Apple's App Store after Epic Games court win" from CNBC 
• "How Apple Created a Legal Mess When It Skirted Judge’s Ruling" from The New York Times 
• "Ahead of China-US talks, Trump says 80% tariff 'seems right'" from Reuters
• "Revenge RTO: Workers are coming in late, leaving early and stealing snacks as they find small ways to get back at their bosses" from Fortune
• "Trump Revives Push for Higher Taxes on the Rich" from The New York Times
• "How the Exotic Orchid Became a Mass-Market Commodity" from The Wall Street Journal 

• "The drawbacks of an increasingly cashless society" from Marketplace

  
  

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This week, the Federal Reserve opted to leave short-term interest rates alone, despite concerns about the rising risks of a weakening U.S. economy. In this episode, we speak with Sudeep Reddy of Politico and Courtenay Brown of Axios about the Fed's latest decision and the current state of trade negotiations. Plus, why NOAA is retiring its billion-dollar disaster database and how New York City is moving to decarbonize its pension fund.

Most consumers are a lot more hesitant to book vacations these days. At least that's what travel companies are telling us — Marriot, Hilton, Hyatt and a slew of airlines all cut revenue expectations for 2025. But one segment of the market is expected to remain strong: luxury travel. We'll hear more. But first: the details of the U.S.-U.K. trade deal and the impact of Bill Gates giving away $200 billion by 2045.