Usually, when consumer sentiment is low, people pull back on spending. Not this time. Fresh data out this morning showed surprisingly strong retail sales last month. The reason? More folks are stocking up to beat price increases resulting from President Donald Trump's tariffs. Also: Tariffs may shrink the price gap between organic and standard produce, and the U.S. African Development Foundation is fighting against cuts from the Trump administration.

From wildfires in California to more recent flooding in the Midwest and South, the toll of recovering from natural disasters can be staggering. Sen. Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana, and Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, have an idea: a tax credit to harden homes against natural disasters. We'll hear more. But first: why chipmaker stock prices are down and how Beijing is preparing for tougher trade relations with the U.S.

From the BBC World Service: China says its economy grew by 5.4% in the first three months of this year, but analysts warn the economy will slow in the second quarter as the effects of President Donald Trump's 145% tariffs on Chinese goods are felt. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers are taking to TikTok to urge American consumers to bypass intermediary retailers like Shein, Temu or Amazon and buy directly from them.

So far, it's been a calm morning for stocks. But statements will soon trickle in for brokerage accounts for January to March — a quarter where the S&P fell 4.6%, the Nadsaq fell 10%, and the Dow fell 9%. (That's before recent tariff tumult.) Today: the importance of portfolio diversification and how to think about financial planning during market turbulence. Also: inklings of tariff exemptions for the auto industry.

It's Tax Day today! While your taxes may be due, you can file for an extension — and the extension is automatic for some this year. We'll discuss more with Nina Olson of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and learn how taxpayers might run into the effects of IRS budget cuts and hiring freezes. But first: Water bills keep going up, and the Trump administration is signaling tariffs ahead for imported pharmaceuticals and semiconductor chips.

From the BBC World Service: Chinese President Xi Jinping is continuing his weeklong tour of Southeast Asia. He arrives in Malaysia tonight — a country that has been hit by a 24% American tariff. And, as countries wait to hear what's next on tariffs, South Korea has agreed to pump an extra $5 billion into its semiconductor industry. Plus, we take a closer look at Japan's aging society and declining birthrate.

It’s corporate earnings season once again, but market watchers may be looking for different indicators this time around as companies adjust to current and expected U.S. tariffs. We check in with economist Julia Coronado on what hints we may get about how firms are thinking about today’s economy. Plus, a look at how decades of changes to the U.S. social safety net have affected the economic well-being of older Americans.

As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, one free option that launched last year may not be available in the future. We look at why the Trump administration and some congressional Republicans are looking to end the IRS’s “Direct File” program. Plus, the White House announced a tariff exemption for most Chinese electronics, but there are strings attached. And, we speak with California Sen. Adam Schiff about new insider trading allegations against President Trump tied to his statements ahead of last week’s tariff reversal.

China’s leader is in neighboring Vietnam as both countries face hefty U.S. tariffs. The visit comes as Beijing faces 145% U.S. tariffs, while Vietnam seeks to reduce threatened 46% duties set for July. Asian markets reacted positively after a tariff exemption was announced for electronics and semi-conductors. Plus, in a dramatic turn of events, the British government has taken control of a Chinese-owned steel plant in the UK that was said to be days away from closing.

The U.S. dollar hit a three-year low in foreign exchange markets today, signaling nervousness in global markets over tariffs. We delve into what the drop means. Plus, we discuss with FHN Chief Economist Chris Low why the bond market might just be the most powerful balance on the president’s authority to impose tariffs. And, in the latest edition of our “What’s That Like?” series is exploring the odd, unusual and downright weird jobs that help prop up our economy, we chat with an oyster farmer about raising the slimy, delicious shellfish.