THE ANXIOUS PREPPER

Trump Softens Tariff Threats, Delays TikTok Deal

President Trump said he may ease or pause new tariffs on Chinese goods, warning that higher prices could hurt American consumers. He also delayed enforcement of the TikTok ban, tying it directly to ongoing trade talks. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China and has been ordered to sell its U.S. operations to an American firm.

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WHY IT MATTERS

This comes after China signaled it was open to talks, but only on its terms. Trump appears to be softening his approach in response to market backlash and growing concern over inflation. By linking TikTok to the tariff discussions, he’s gambling that economic concessions might unlock a larger deal. So far, the situation has been volatile and unpredictable, with rapid shifts in tone and policy. If talks stall again, both tech and trade tensions could quickly escalate.

Deputy’s Son Kills Two in FSU Campus Shooting

A 20-year-old student opened fire near the student union at Florida State University on Thursday, killing two people and injuring four others before being shot by police. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, is the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy and used one of her personal firearms, a former service weapon she purchased from the department. The two victims killed were not students.

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WHY IT MATTERS

The weapon used in the shooting belonged to the suspect’s mother, a sheriff’s deputy. It was her former service weapon, legally purchased from the department and kept as a personal firearm. Under Florida Statute 790.174, gun owners must secure firearms if a minor could access them. If that access leads to injury or death, felony charges can apply under Statute 784.05. With over 100 school-related shootings already this year, and public places continuing to be targeted, this case is a hard reminder. Safe storage is only one piece—so is paying attention to who has access and what they may be carrying emotionally. Awareness saves lives.

U.S. May Abandon Ukraine Peace Talks Within Days

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. could walk away from peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine if no progress is made in the coming days. Talks have stalled since February, and Rubio made clear that the Trump administration does not plan to invest more time without results. At the same time, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a new memorandum focused on rare-earth minerals and economic rebuilding, though Trump has voiced frustration with Ukrainian leadership.

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WHY IT MATTERS

This signals a shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine as Russia’s offensive continues. The U.S. has allocated nearly $183 billion to Ukraine since 2022, and Trump is now pushing to recoup some of that through economic deals like the new minerals agreement. His rocky relationship with Zelenskyy and demand for financial return are shaping how these talks play out. If the U.S. steps back, the EU may be forced to take on a larger role, which could strain resources and unity. For Ukraine, the stakes are rising and the path to peace is growing more uncertain.

Even if you’re not in a drought zone, the effects can still reach you. When key agricultural regions dry out, it can lead to higher food prices, tighter water access, stressed energy grids, and poor air quality from wildfire smoke. These impacts don’t stay local. As summer approaches, more households will feel it through rising grocery bills, smoky skies, and increased pressure on basic resources.