English Listening

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🎧 Trump clarifies there's no full "tariff exception" on electronics from China

💬 U.S. President Donald Trump has settled the debate over tariffs on select electronics, saying exemption of tariffs on those items are temporary and that separate tariffs on goods including smartphones will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Lee Seung-jae starts us off.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his key trade officials on Sunday made it clear that his administration's newly announced exemptions for reciprocal tariffs on electronic products would be partially or completely reversed in the coming weeks.
After a technical guidance issued late Friday, Washington issued an exemption on select electronics, such as smartphones, laptops, personal computers, servers, and semiconductor equipment.
Not only does this ease the burden on Samsung Electronics and Apple, it also means a possible exemption from some of the levies on Chinese imports.
However,.. Trump took to his social media page on Sunday to clarify, saying tariffs would still be imposed on Chinese goods, specifically the existing 20 percent fentanyl tariffs.

Trump also stressed that the U.S. administration is taking a look at semiconductors and the "WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN" in upcoming National Security Tariff investigations.
According to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while there may be some tariff exemptions on select electronics now, a separate tariff on semiconductors is coming.


"So what he's doing is he's saying they're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two. So these are coming soon."
Speaking to CNN on Sunday, White House National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said that items subject to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act have always been excluded from the reciprocal tariffs, and a separate investigation will be conducted to determine the necessary measures to protect the United States.

He added that the tariff investigation into semiconductors has to do with broader concerns of U.S. dependence on Chinese-made imports.
Hassett said that there is a "very uncomfortable amount of Chinese input" in U.S. weapons systems, stressing the importance of Section 232 of the Act.

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🎧 'Micromoon' to grace night skies this weekend

💬 On Saturday night, April 12, a full Pink Moon that is smaller and fainter will be visible in the April spring night sky.
The so-called "micromoon," the smallest and faintest in 2025, occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth, approximately 406-thousand-six kilometers away.
According to NASA, the micromoon will be up to 14% smaller and around 30% dimmer than a supermoon.
Despite its name, which originates from the seasonal bloom of pink wildflowers in early spring, the Pink Moon won't appear pink.

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🎧 Wall Street climbs on news of Trump's 90-day tariff pause

💬 Wall Street reacted positively to the news of Trump's 90-day tariff pause.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday rose 7-point-8-7 percent, or over 2-thousand-962 points, to close at 40-thousand-608-point-4-5.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq soared over 12 percent, up over 1-thousand-857 points from the previous trading session, to close at 17-thousand-124-point-9-7.
Global crude prices also rose on the news of the tariff pause.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, futures for May delivery for West Texas Intermediate rose more than 4 percent from the previous trading session, while the June delivery for Brent Crude also climbed over 4 percent on the ICE Futures Exchange.

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🎧 Trump and Netanyahu meet to discuss Gaza, Iran, and more

💬 President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened to address a wide range of issues, including the Gaza conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions.
During their meeting on Monday at the Oval Office, Trump announced the initiation of direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program, with high-level discussions scheduled to begin on Saturday.
Netanyahu expressed conditional support for the diplomatic efforts, stating that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities through diplomatic means would be favorable.
The leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu highlighted Israel's commitment to securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and mentioned its ongoing military operations aimed at achieving this objective.
The U.S. President once again expressed his desire for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip, saying that it would be a "good thing."

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🎧 'Dirty 15' trading partners imposing substantial tariffs on U.S.: U.S. Treasury Dept.

💬 The Trump administration has highlighted the presence of quote "15" "dirty" trade partners as it reaffirms the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on April SECOND.
Lee Soo-jin covers this latest development and more.

Concerns over how U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs will impact South Korea are growing, especially with its potential inclusion in the so-called 'Dirty 15' group of trade partners.
Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that there were 15 nations, which he referred to as the 'Dirty 15', that are imposing substantial tariffs on the U.S.
He did not clarify which nations would be included but with Trump previously highlighting South Korea as one of the countries that he claimed was unfairly benefiting from trade imbalances, there are growing concerns that Korea may be among the countries targeted.

"And South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that four times higher. And we give so much help militarily and in so many other ways to South Korea."

South Korea's trade surplus with the U.S. reached over 55 billion U.S. dollars last year, meaning that it could be a major target for the Trump administration.

Bessent said that come April 2nd, each country will receive a specific reciprocal tariff number deemed fair by the U.S. and that 'Dirty 15' countries are likely to face higher tariffs due to perceived unfair trade practices.
He added that the tariff calculation would be determined by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Commerce Department.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary said that he has not seen any figures yet, as they are still being calculated.
But Bessent expressed optimism that "some of the tariffs" may not go into effect if a deal is pre-negotiated or if countries look to negotiate after April 2nd.
Emphasizing that the U.S. is only in pursuit of "fair and reciprocal" trade, Bessent said that countries that stop trade practices that the U.S. deems unfair could avoid reciprocal tariffs.
Such practices include, non-tariff barriers, currency manipulation, unfair funding and labor suppression.
While Bessent believes reciprocal tariffs could lead to a "win-win" situation for everyone,.. they continue to cause concerns here in South Korea, with trade officials keen to avoid new U.S. tariffs.

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#Lyrics

The best way to learn and improve your foreign languages skills like English, through the lyrics of the songs.

🎤​​​​​​ Taylor Swift - Shake it off

I stay out too late
Got nothing in my brain
That's what people say, mmm-mmm
That's what people say, mmm-mmm

I go on to many dates
But I can't make them stay
At least that's what people say, mmm-mmm
That's what people say, mmm-mmm
But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop moving
It's like I got this music
In my mine
Saying, "It's gonna be alright

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

I never miss a beat
I'm lightning on my feet
And that's what they don't see, mmm-mmm
That's what they don't see, mmm-mmm

I'm dancing on my own (dancing on my own)
I make the moves up as I go (moves up as I go)
And that's what they don't know, mmm-mmm
That's what they don't know, mmm-mmm

But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop grooving
It's like I got this music
In my mind
Saying, "It's gonna be alright."

"Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

Shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Hey, hey, hey
Just think while you've been getting down and out about
The liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world,
You could've been getting down to this sick beat.

My ex-man brought his new girlfriend
She's like "Oh, my god." but I'm just gonna shake.
And to the fella over there with the hella good hair
Won't you come on over, Baby? We can shake, shake,
Shake

Yeah, yeah

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonns hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (haters
Gonna hate)
I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
(Mmmm)
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake (and
Fake, and fake, and fake)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

Shake it off, shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Shake it off, shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,

Shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (you've got to),
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,

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🎧 Trump's upcoming tariffs set to go into effect immediately on Apr. 2

💬 U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming tariffs are a day away, and they will go into effect as soon he announces the details.
Our Lee Soo-jin has the details.

U.S. President Donald Trump's pending tariffs will go into effect immediately after they are announced, according to a White House spokesperson on Tuesday local time.

"My understanding is that the, tariff announcement will come tomorrow. They will be effective immediately. He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people and the American worker."

The tariffs are set to be announced by Trump at a Rose Garden ceremony at 4 PM Eastern Time on April 2nd, which is 5 AM on the 3rd here in Korea.
He has repeatedly touted April 2nd as "Liberation Day", as he believes that his policies will free American industries from what he calls “unfair trade practices.”
And according to U.S. media outlets including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is considering various tariff strategies.
One is imposing a 20 percent flat tariff on all imports, another is assigning each country a reciprocal tariff 'number' that corresponds to tariffs and other trade barriers on U.S. products.
And the U.S. Trade Representative is also considering a third option, where levies likely to be lower than the universal 20 percent would be imposed on a wide range of imports from select countries.
For South Korea, these tariffs are expected to add further pressure as they come amid a wave of other tariffs, such as the 25 percent auto tariffs set to go into effect on April 2nd and collected the following day.
And just last month, the Trump administration imposed sweeping 25 percent tariffs on aluminum and steel.
But despite the country's leadership vacuum, the Korean government is holding various emergency meetings to come up with response measures.
Acting president Han Duck-soo on Tuesday,.. along with the industry, finance and foreign ministers, met with heads of Korea's top four conglomerates, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, SK,.. and LG, where Han pledged to
continue high-level U.S. outreach and to work with the private sector to respond to the challenges posed by the tariffs.

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🎧 Trump warns of secondary tariffs on Russian oil if ceasefire agreement fails

💬 U.S. President Donald Trump is ramping up his rhetoric on both Russia and Ukraine with regard to sealing a ceasefire deal.
He's threatening heavier tariffs on Russian oil and vowing quote "big problems" for Kyiv if it backs away from its mineral deal with Washington.
Park Hyo-been has more.

Amid the stalled progress on the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In an NBC interview on Sunday, Trump revealed that he was "very angry" after Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s credibility.
Trump also said that if Russia is found responsible for prolonging the conflict, he would impose "secondary tariffs" on Russian oil, ranging from 25 to 50 percent.
He warned that countries purchasing Russian crude oil could face tariffs, signaling economic pressure as potential leverage in the ongoing conflict.

Trump also had a message for Zelenskyy.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader for trying to back out of a rare earth metals agreement.

"And I think Zelenskyy, by the way, I see he's trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he's got some problems. Big, big problems. We made a deal on rare earth, and now he's saying, 'Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal'."

With U.S.-Ukraine negotiations now stalling, Russia has begun rare metals talks with Washington.
On Monday, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev confirmed that discussions were underway, with several companies already expressing an interest.
Last month, Putin underscored Russia’s vast reserves, looking to position Moscow as a more stable supplier than Ukraine.

As diplomatic efforts stall, the potential economic pressure from tariffs may become a crucial turning point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

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#Lyrics

The best way to learn and improve your foreign languages skills like English, through the lyrics of the songs.

🎤 ​​Lana Del Rey - Young and beautiful

I've seen the world
Done it all, had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel-Air now
Hot summer nights, mid-July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, the city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child

Will you still love me
When I'm no longer, young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer beautiful?

I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will

I've seen the world, lit it up as my stage now
Channeling angels in, the new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you'd play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul

Will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer beautiful?

I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will

I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will

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🎧 Putin says U.S. is serious about Greenland

💬Russian President Vladimir Putin has said U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland was "serious."
At the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk on Thursday, Putin stated the U.S. had a longstanding interest in the mineral-rich territory.
He said that while the Greenland issue does not directly involve Russia, the U.S. plans "have old historical origins" and aren't just "extravagant talks."
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and reaffirmed Denmark's commitment to supporting Greenland's autonomy.
Also, referring to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's planned visit to the U.S. military base in Greenland, she stated, "The visit is clearly not about what Greenland needs or wants."

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🎧 Netanyahu threatens to seize territory; Gaza sees mass anti-Hamas protests

💬 In the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shared intentions to seize territory in Gaza if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages.
Byeon Ye-young covers this latest development.

Israel has pledged to increase military pressure until Hamas releases the remaining 59 hostages.
In a parliamentary address on Wednesday, local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel may seize parts of Gaza as part of its military pressure campaign.

"The fighting in Gaza continues. The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release our hostages, the more powerful the pressure we will exert. And I say to Hamas -this includes seizing territory, and this includes other things that I will not list here."

Israel resumed military operations in Gaza last Tuesday.
According to the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, 142 thousand people were displaced in just one week.
At the daily UN press briefing on Wednesday, the spokesperson said that Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that everything in Gaza was running out: supplies, time and life.

Meanwhile in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the streets of Beit Lahia in the largest anti-Hamas protests since the beginning of the war.
For two days straight since Tuesday, protesters took to the streets to demand an end to the war and showed defiance against Hamas' governance, chanting "Out, out, Hamas, out" and "we want to live".

"We want to live in peace, we are tired, I raised my son for fifteen years only for him to be gone now (meaning dead), I built my house for ten years and then what? gone? We want to live."
Hamas official Basem Naim said on social media that people have the right "to cry out in pain", but suggested the anger should be directed towards Israel.

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