THE ANXIOUS PREPPER

China Hits U.S. Goods With 125% Tariffs

On April 11, China announced new tariffs on U.S. goods, raising total duties to 125 percent in response to U.S. hikes earlier this month. The move brings some product rates up to 145 percent. Beijing called this its final escalation, saying any further increases would be meaningless. Markets responded with volatility, and President Xi is now turning to Southeast Asia to build new trade alliances.

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WHY IT MATTERS

The U.S. and China might be on the verge of cutting off trade entirely. Experts say tariffs are already so high that raising them further won’t do much. If tensions keep rising, goods may stop moving between the two countries. That could drive prices even higher and make everyday essentials harder to get.

Zelenskyy: 150+ Chinese Nationals Fighting for Russia

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claims over 150 Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian troops. Two were captured in Donetsk, and Ukraine says Russia is recruiting them via social media. China denies involvement, urging its citizens to avoid foreign conflicts. This comes as Russia launches a major spring offensive in Sumy and Kharkiv, even while sending a top envoy to Washington for peace talks.

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WHY IT MATTERS

China may not be officially involved, but 150+ citizens fighting for Russia signals growing alignment. Even unofficial participation from the world’s #2 power could shift the West’s posture and accelerate escalation.

RFK Jr. Launches Autism Cause Investigation by September

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a large-scale research initiative to determine the causes of autism by September. The effort will involve hundreds of scientists, though specific details have not been released. Leading autism organizations say they were not included in planning discussions. Some public health experts have raised concerns about revisiting theories previously evaluated by the scientific community.

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WHY IT MATTERS

This move could reignite public distrust in vaccines and medical institutions. With Kennedy and Trump both amplifying discredited views, this effort may further polarize public health conversations heading into 2026.

Energy & Commodities: 

Oil prices experienced a decline this week, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closing at $60.34 per barrel and Brent crude at $63.49. The drop is attributed to increased U.S. crude inventories and ongoing concerns over the U.S.-China trade tensions, which are impacting global demand.

Essential Goods & Food Supply: 

Grocery prices rose 0.5 percent in March. Eggs saw the largest average increase at 5.9 percent, while meat, poultry, and fish were up 1.3 percent. Produce dropped slightly by 0.5 percent. With tariffs on imported food goods still in place, prices may stay elevated heading into summer.

Financial Policy & Household Impact: 

Inflation cooled to 2.4 percent in March, the first monthly decline in nearly five years. But the Fed is holding off on rate cuts, and new tariffs could reverse the trend. Price hikes on everyday goods and home materials may hit harder in the months ahead.

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