Marketplace Morning Report With David Brancaccio

The federal government will no longer track the cost of the most expensive disasters in the country. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will stop adding dollar damage tallies to its database of events that cause over $1 billion in damage. The move comes as billion-dollar disasters have become more frequent. Plus, as college-bound students look to decide where to go, we'll hear how colleges come up with the price of admission.

From the BBC World Service: Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled an agreement that will reduce import taxes on some British cars and metals and open up the British market to some U.S. beef. Plus, China says its exports to the States fell by 21% in April compared to the previous year. And, the owner of Zara wants the EU to close a tax loophole that favors exporters of cheap goods into Europe.

UnitedHealthcare is facing a lawsuit claiming it defrauded shareholders — by denying fewer claims but not warning ahead of time that its profits would decline. The nation’s largest health insurer has been under heightened scrutiny following the killing of its then-CEO in New York late last year. And later: President Donald Trump is expected to announce a trade deal with Britain, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader reflects on the drawbacks of going cashless.

The "Marketplace Morning Report" team is cooking this morning. First, we hear from the CEO and founder of Beyond Good, a company known for its artisanal Madagascar vanilla and chocolate, about how tariffs are stirring up business. We also discover how import duties are riling the U.S. blueberry industry, which has a close relationship with processors and packagers in Canada. But first: why home prices and sizes are going down in some metro areas.

From the BBC World Service: President Donald Trump is expected to announce a deal on tariffs with Britain later today. The agreement would be the first since sweeping tariffs were unveiled for dozens of America's trading partners. Plus, remember when a fire near London's Heathrow Airport threw worldwide air travel into chaos a few weeks back? Officials still don't know the cause. And, China is experiencing a shortage of qualified cosmetic surgery practitioners and clinics.

And it’s looking like they won’t. As the Federal Reserve meets to determine the future of interest rates, don't hold your breath for any rate cuts. We'll give a preview of what to expect and hear about the added pressures the Fed is under given President Donald Trump's trade war. Plus, a handful of companies are responsible for major productivity growth, and Canadian truckers are being hit hard by tariffs.

A PSA for those whose homes burnt in the LA-area wildfires earlier this year: If the insurance company writes a check, it comes with two names on it — the property owner's and the bank's. But the bank may keep interest earned on that insurance payout. Now, a California assemblyman is trying to change that. We'll check in. Also: China lowers interest rates, and fewer international students come to the States for higher education.

From the BBC World Service: The Yemeni group started attacking shipping lanes around the Red Sea after the war in Gaza began. It's hoped the ceasefire will stop disruptions to major trade routes. Then, China and the U.S. are set to hold their first trade talks since sweeping tariffs were announced. Later: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on last week's massive power outage and former U.S. President Joe Biden on defense and international trade.

Ford Motor Company reported first-quarter results yesterday and said it’s suspending financial guidance for the rest of this year because of uncertainty resulting from tariffs. We'll hear more. Plus, some companies in Mexico are recruiting recently deported migrants from the States. And the guardians of interest rates at the Federal Reserve meet today and tomorrow on what to do about an economy under stress. Will they be hawkish or dovish?

On Wednesday, 133 Cardinals are expected in the Sistine Chapel to start choosing the next pope. And people worldwide are placing millions of dollars in bets over who they think will get the two-thirds majority required to become the Catholic Church’s next leader. Also on the show: OpenAI hits a roadblock in trying to become a for-profit company, and China's offering cash and more parental leave to encourage a baby bump.