NPR News: 05-12-2026 4PM EDT

Lakshmi Singh· Host0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The US war with Iran is hitting energy prices and helped drive annual inflation to the highest level in roughly three years. The Labor Department says consumer prices in April were three point eight percent higher than the same time a year earlier. President Trump is en route to China for a high-stakes meeting with leader Xi Jinping. NPR's Emily Feng is covering the state visit.

Emily Feng0:27

Calling China's Xi Jinping an amazing man, Trump said the meetings with Xi later this week will cover energy prices, the war with Iran, and Taiwan, the democratic island China hopes to control one day. Asked about a delayed multi-billion dollar US weapons sale to Taiwan, Trump has said he would talk about it with China's Xi Jinping.

Donald Trump· Soundbite0:47

A lot of good things can happen. Now, we'll be talking about, I mean, he'll bring up Taiwan.

Emily Feng0:51

American legislation requires the US to provide for Taiwan's defense, and that includes selling Taiwan arms. Trump has also said he'll raise the case of imprisoned Hong Kong activist and publisher Jimmy Lai, as well as an imprisoned Christian pastor in China. Emily Feng, NPR News.

Lakshmi Singh· Host1:08

Trump is being accompanied by several powerful corporate executives with significant business interests in China. They include billionaire Elon Musk, who is in a legal battle with OpenAI chief Sam Altman that could have major implications in artificial intelligence. At a California trial, Altman testified today to defend his business record against Musk's allegation that he betrayed their