NPR News: 05-12-2026 6PM EDT

Ryland Barton· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is expected to discuss the Iran war during his state visit to China. He left this afternoon and is now on his way to Beijing. NPR's Domenico Montanaro reports on what Americans think of the US-China relationship in a survey done by NPR in conjunction with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Ipsos.

Domenico Montanaro0:22

In two polls over the last few months, there were some notable findings. First, Americans see China on the rise and eyeing a dominant role in the world. Seventy-eight percent say they believe China wants to be a dominant world leader, particularly economically. But respondents also say they wanna keep a strong trading relationship with China, and they want tariffs lowered to keep costs down for US consumers. Most also say the Iran war has been bad for both countries and their economies, but more Americans say the war is boosting China's geopolitical position than say it's helping US national security. Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington.

Ryland Barton· Host0:57

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the Trump administration's endgame for the Iran war, its cost and impact on diminishing US weapons stockpiles. Jules Hurst is performing the duties of the Defense Department's comptroller. He says the cost of the war has risen.

Jules Hurst· Soundbite1:14

At the time of testimony in front of the ask, it was twenty-five billion dollars. But the joint staff team and the comptroller team are constantly looking at that estimate, and so now we think it's closer to twenty-nine. Uh, that's because of updated repair and replacement of equipment costs and also,