#1

Stocks drop on tariff news

President Trump announced that 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico will take effect on Tuesday, stating there is “no room left” for negotiations with these neighboring countries. This decision follows a month-long delay during which both nations attempted to address U.S. concerns regarding fentanyl smuggling and migration; however, Trump remains dissatisfied with their progress. Additionally, the administration plans to increase duties on Chinese goods by 10%, supplementing the 10% tariffs imposed in February, which could generate over $86 billion in tariff revenue. Following the announcement, U.S. stocks saw a decline.

The impending tariffs are expected to have a significant impact on the U.S. auto industry, which relies heavily on integrated North American supply chains. Analysts predict that the levies on Mexico and Canada could raise the average price of a U.S. car by about $3,000, affecting both foreign-built and domestic vehicles due to the large number of foreign parts used in U.S.-assembled cars. With the average vehicle price already around $44,000—a 25% increase since 2019—these additional costs could place further burdens on consumers. The extent to which automakers will absorb these costs or pass them on to consumers remains uncertain, along with the possibility of exemptions under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Sources:

Trump Says Canada-Mexico Tariffs Will Take Effect, ‘No Room Left’ For Talks - WSJ

On Another Tariff Eve, Here Is the Impact to U.S. Autos - WSJ

Worries Mount That Trump Agenda Is Testing Economy’s Resilience - WSJ

#2

AI, no-code, and the future of web development

Linda Tong, the CEO of Webflow, is on a mission to democratize web development, bringing sophisticated design capabilities to those who lack the ability—or the patience—to write code.

In a recent interview with CEO.com, Tong traced her trajectory to the helm of the company, explaining how her background in product management and healthcare economics left her with a deep appreciation for tools that enable creative autonomy. For years, she had been at the mercy of engineers, her visions for digital products bottlenecked by a dependency on technical teams.

Webflow, a platform that enables designers, marketers, and entrepreneurs to create complex websites using an intuitive visual interface, offered a compelling alternative: a world in which building for the web was no longer the exclusive domain of those proficient in JavaScript and CSS.

The company’s origins illustrate the conundrum it aims to solve. Webflow was co-founded by Vlad Magdalin, a front-end engineer who attended art school; his brother Sergie, a designer; and Bryant Chou, an engineer known for his abstract thinking. Their goal was deceptively simple—to create a design tool that was as powerful as code yet as accessible as a drag-and-drop interface.

Unlike many no-code platforms, which prioritize ease of use at the expense of flexibility, Webflow insists on maintaining a one-to-one relationship between visual elements and the underlying code. This preserves the intricacy that designers crave while removing the gatekeeping of traditional development.

Under Tong’s leadership, Webflow continues to refine this vision, expanding its capabilities while staying true to its founding ethos: the belief that anyone with an idea should be able to bring it to life on the web, no permission required.

#3

We’re all way too tired

In the quiet hours of the night, when our eyelids grow heavy, and thoughts begin to blur, we expect that sleep will gently overtake us. Yet, paradoxically, there are times when profound fatigue gives way to a restless, almost frenetic wakefulness — a state colloquially referred to as being “overtired.” This phenomenon, as explained by sleep researcher Giovanna Calogiouri from the University of South-Eastern Norway, is closely linked to the delicate balance of our circadian rhythm. This internal clock regulates the ebb and flow of hormones that control our sleep-wake cycles.

Central to this balance are two hormones: melatonin and cortisol. As evening falls, melatonin levels increase, inducing drowsiness by slowing the heart rate and lowering body temperature. In contrast, cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” helps maintain our alertness during the day, decreasing as night approaches. However, modern habits — such as exposure to bright screens or engaging in stimulating activities late into the night — can disrupt this hormonal balance. Such disruptions may reduce melatonin production and raise cortisol levels, causing overstimulation at the very time the body seeks rest.

This misalignment not only hinders our ability to concentrate but also increases stress, creating a vicious cycle where the more tired we become, the harder it is to fall asleep. While chronic disruptions to our circadian rhythm can negatively impact health, occasional breaks—like staying up late for a special event—are usually harmless. Calogiouri wisely reminds us that, amidst the science of sleep, “We should be allowed to have fun too,” recognizing our human tendency for occasional indulgence.