BBC News Briefing

4 March, 2025

Alex Binley

Hello. Fears of a trade war have been sparked after the US imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and upped a levy on China. Business reporter Michael Race takes a look at what it could mean for the prices US consumers pay. We also have video from Serbia, where chaos engulfed the country's parliament after MPs threw smoke grenades, we hear from an astronaut who's been stuck in space since June, and our royal correspondent Daniela Relph has the latest on the Duchess of Sussex's new Netflix show.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Analysing the impact of Trump's tariffs

Donald Trump sits at his desk in the Oval Office, holding up two sheets on paper with writing on in a binder, that bears his large signature. A bald man in a dark grey suit is stood behind him.

In the first days of his presidency Trump announced the tariffs but then delayed those on Mexico and Canada for a month. Credit: EPA

Tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China coming into the US are now in force. President Donald Trump says that this will protect the American economy, yet some analysts fear these extra taxes could push up prices for US households. Business reporter Michael Race takes a look at six items that could soon become more expensive. There are also fears that the tariffs could "disrupt global trade", after stock market falls were seen on Tuesday. And it doesn't look like either side is willing to back down, with Canada's PM branding the levies "a very dumb thing to do" and announcing retaliatory measures. China has warned it will fight “to the bitter end” while announcing its own tariffs and Mexico is expected to do the same in the coming days.

Six potential price rises

GET UP TO SPEED

Donald Trump stands behind a microphone and is speaking. He is pointing his finger and wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie.

Trump to deliver 'big' televised Congress speech

The president is set to speak about his accomplishments, the economy, border security funding and global peace plans.

What will he say? >

Zelensky sits on a yellow chair looking straight ahead. He has short brown hair and a beard with grey in it.

Zelensky calls White House clash 'regrettable'

He also said he's "ready to work" under Trump's "strong leadership" to negotiate a peace deal and sign a minerals deal.

Read more >

Smoke filling the Serbian parliament's chamber as MPs hold up a black banner.

Serbia MPs throw smoke grenades in parliament

Politicians clashed with security and launched tear gas in an apparent show of support for student protestors.

Watch as chaos unfolds >

Three astronauts in a row on the ISS. They all wear polo shirts and trousers. The man in the centre has a black band tied around his forehead and is talking into a microphone. The hair of the woman on the right is standing on end.

What stranded astronauts will miss about space

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were meant to be on the ISS for eight days but eight months later, they're still up there.

Watch more >

AT THE SCENE

Tulkarem, West Bank

West Bank fears as Israeli raids continue

A woman and two children walk along a dirt path surrounded by piles of mud. Around them are houses, many of which have large piles of mud in front of them

Operation 'Iron Wall' has involved raids in multiple West Bank refugee camps. Credit: EPA

From Our Own Correspondent: For more than six weeks, Israel has been carrying out operation "Iron Wall" in the West Bank, against what it says are Palestinian armed groups there. More than 50 Palestinians have been killed, according to the UN and around 40,000 people have been displaced from their homes. One of the refugee camps targeted is Tulkarem, the governor of which has called the operation one of "destruction" and "a declaration of war".

Paul Adams has light brown, short hair and is looking straight at the camera. He is wearing a suit.

Paul Adams, BBC diplomatic correspondent

From a hill overlooking Tulkarem's eastern edge, we watched as Israeli soldiers patrolled along a freshly-created, muddy street, where, until recently, houses had stood. When the army announced that it was going to blow up this line of houses, families were given a couple of hours to come and pick up whatever belongings they could.

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For Palestinians, the sight of abandoned, sealed-off camps stirs the deepest fears. They worry that, with Donald Trump’s assistance, Israel plans to make drastic changes to the West Bank. Perhaps even to annex it, forcing all Palestinians – not just refugees – to accept a new reality.

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Israel insists that its actions are driven by the need for security, not by some sinister hidden agenda. But after the trauma of 7 October and the subsequent war in Gaza, Israelis and Palestinians are separated by ever wider oceans of grief and fury. Both sides wondering: is the West Bank next?

Listen now

More from Paul: Aid agencies say the Israeli raids are the largest forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank in decades.

Future debated on global stage: Their fate is the discussion of Arab leaders in Egypt but what do Gazans want to see happen?

Alternative Gaza plan: What sets Cairo's model apart from Trump's is that this blueprint is not just about property development; its banners are politics and the rights of Palestinians, write chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and Egypt producer Wael Hussain.

A woman holds five colour palette cards in her hands as she stands in front of a wall showing different shared of yellow, pink, purple and blue.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

True colours

The retro trend of personalised colour analysis has made a comeback.

Here's how

And finally... in the US

Meghan's "new chapter" has landed on Netflix. With Love, Meghan, sees the Duchess of Sussex showcase her love of cooking and entertaining in eight episodes. As with everything Meghan does, reactions are mixed. In a little over 90 seconds and showcasing scenes from the series, BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph gets a feel for the duchess' latest venture.

US Politics Unspun newsletter

No noise. No agenda. Just expert analysis of the issues that matter most, from North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Subscribe here

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– Alex

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