THE ANXIOUS PREPPER

Trump’s Tariff Strategy Shifts Again as China Holds Its Line

The U.S.–China trade war escalated after President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% on April 9. China responded two days later with 125% tariffs on U.S. products. The White House briefly exempted smartphones and laptops, then reversed course and placed them under a separate 20% tariff. Officials say the move is part of a push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., but the shifting decisions have raised concerns. 

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WHY IT MATTERS

The U.S. and China appear to be drifting toward a full-scale trade freeze. If talks stall and tariffs keep climbing, critical imports like electronics, medicine, and industrial parts could become harder to find and more expensive. This includes semiconductors, which are essential to everything from smartphones to vehicles to medical equipment. Supply chains for chips have already faced disruption over the past few years, and further pressure from tariffs could slow production and raise costs across multiple industries. For households and small businesses already stretched by inflation, this could trigger the next wave of price shocks.

Teen Kills Parents in Plot to Assassinate Trump

Nikita Casap, a seventeen-year-old from Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been charged with the February murders of his mother and stepfather. According to an unsealed FBI affidavit, Casap allegedly killed them to fund a plot to assassinate President Donald Trump and overthrow the U.S. government. Authorities found a manifesto praising Adolf Hitler, bomb-making instructions, and communications on TikTok and Telegram outlining the plan. Casap planned to use drones and explosives and was reportedly in contact with individuals in Russia. He was arrested in Kansas and is being held on a one million dollar bond.

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WHY IT MATTERS

This is the fourth known plot to kill Trump in less than a year, each with a different motive—ranging from personal rage to extremist ideology. The latest case involves white supremacist beliefs and an effort to trigger political chaos. These aren’t isolated threats. They reflect a growing risk of politically motivated violence driven by online radicalization, encrypted messaging apps, and domestic instability.

Energy & Commodities

Oil prices continued to decline amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and concerns over global economic growth. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closed at $61.23 per barrel, while Brent crude settled at $64.47. Both benchmarks have lost approximately $10 per barrel since early April. Goldman Sachs projects Brent to average $63 per barrel in 2025, with further declines anticipated into 2026.

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 prices dropped slightly by 0.5 percent. With tariffs on imported food goods still in place, prices may remain elevated heading into summer. 

Financial Policy & Household Impact

Inflation cooled to 2.4 percent in March, marking the first monthly decline in nearly five years. However, the Federal Reserve is holding off on rate cuts, and new tariffs could reverse this trend. Price hikes on everyday goods and home materials may intensify in the coming months.

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