As the World and Tariffs Turn

US News

As the World and Tariffs Turn

What's going on: The trade war plot just thickened. On Monday, President Donald Trump warned countries to stick to their original trade deals with the US, essentially shrugging off a Supreme Court decision that struck down his tariff plan. The justices ruled it violated federal law — and let’s just say the president isn’t taking “no” lightly. Less than 24 hours after the ruling, Trump signed an executive order to hike the global tariff rate by 15% starting today, up from the 10% he’d initially pitched. The levies are temporary — for 150 days — but Congress could vote to extend them. As the president also mulls new national security tariffs, he’s issued a new threat: Any country that “plays games” with him could face even steeper levies. Not exactly how you make friends on the (global) playground...

Tell me more: Trump isn’t the only one making demands. Democrats want a refund — $175 billion in tariff revenue, to be exact. They want Customs and Border Protection to return the money plus interest, with small businesses first in line (FedEx, for its part, would like to be second). But any sign of a check could take years, as the issue is likely to end up in the courts. And while US trading partners aren’t thrilled with the tariff whiplash, the financial markets weren’t particularly fazed (guess they’re getting used to all the uncertainty). Trump will likely use tonight’s State of the Union address to try to convince voters he has everything under control. That’s important, as recent polls show Republicans look vulnerable heading into the midterms.

Related: What Is the State of the US Economy? (USA Today)

The News in 5

🗞️ Unsettling bodycam video depicted an apparent frat hazing incident at the University of Iowa. An officer said, “What the f*ck did I just walk into?”

🗞️ President Trump said what about the US Women’s Hockey team? They managed this polite but pointed response.

🗞️ Yesterday, British police made yet another Epstein-related arrest. And the US has made how many? 

🗞️The Federal Communications Commission chair wants TV broadcasters to air this every morning as part of a new “pro-America” push.

🗞️ Lindsey Vonn revealed she was this close to having her leg amputated after her Olympic injury.

Work

Why Women Are Clocking Out

What's going on: One mom had a toddler who treated every piece of furniture like a launch pad, a terminally ill father, and a marketing job that kept her on call for executives. So she quit — and she’s not alone. About 455,000 women left the workforce between January and August 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data — one of the steepest declines on record outside the pandemic. For 42% of women who quit last year, caregiving pressures were the breaking point, according to a recent survey. Others cited inflexible schedules, low pay, and burnout. One C-suite executive and mom of two who left her job told CNN: “The system wasn’t built to support working mothers.”

What it means: This isn’t an ambition problem — it’s a structural one. Women face a brutal tug-of-war between caregiving and workplaces that still run on outdated assumptions. Child care and commuting can swallow a paycheck fast — and a role with built-in flexibility could shift the equation entirely. Research shows what actually helps employees: paid emergency care days, subsidized child care, and regular pay audits. Until that becomes the norm, women will be forced to make tough choices and calculations — and right now, too many of them are coming up short.

Related: The $10-a-Day Child Care Bill Democrats Are Banking On (The 19th) 

Care

The House Call Comeback

What's going on: For new parents, sleep is more of a concept than a reality. Between the breastfeeding questions, diaper changes, and 3 am feedings — many would love nothing more than for help to show up at the door. Now, some in Louisiana are getting that extra support with at-home nurse visits. Family Connects New Orleans is a free program, regardless of income or insurance, for anyone who gives birth in a local hospital, according to NPR. The city launched it in 2023 because its health director got tired of Louisiana ranking among the worst states for maternal and infant health. Nurses show up with diapers, nipple cream (praise be), and everything needed to weigh and check the baby. They also ask about food security, guns in the house, and how mom is really doing.

What it means: Early data from Tulane University shows the program works. Families were more likely to stay on top of checkups, less likely to be hospitalized, and less likely to have high Medicaid costs. It also caught postpartum depression earlier. New Orleans families aren’t the only ones benefiting. Since North Carolina launched the model in 2008, versions of the program have expanded to 20 states. If you’re a new or expecting parent, ask your hospital or pediatrician if something similar exists near you. Now, Louisiana is looking to make improvements, including requiring Medicaid — not just private insurance — to cover the nurse visits. If that happens, New Orleans could be the blueprint other cities desperately need.

Related: Quitting Antidepressants While Pregnant Has Real Risks (NYT Gift Link)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address at 9 pm ET. Who’s sitting where?

🗓️ The International Booker Prize’s longlist releases.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

The Met Gala has spoken. What's the dress code A-listers are about to overthink?

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.