NPR News: 05-13-2026 3PM EDT

This NPR News Now broadcast from May 13, 2026, rounds up developments across international trade, domestic health policy, court rulings, immigration enforcement, student performance trends, and publishing news, with US-China economic tensions as a lead focus amid broader concerns over market fairness.

US-China Bilateral Talks on Trade and Market Distortions

Leaders from the US and China, the world's two largest economies, are holding bilateral talks this week, monitored by NPR's Pierre Scott Horsley from China. The White House emphasizes the president's push for reciprocity and fairness, targeting China's alleged market distortions through overproduction and dumping excess goods globally. The US also seeks increased Chinese purchases of American products, after past commitments—such as buying more US soybeans—fell short, leading China to source from Brazil instead and hurting US farmers. These talks highlight ongoing friction, as many countries worry about China's production practices undermining global markets, though specific outcomes remain pending.