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Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Trump's tariffs are a boon for Brazil and Mexico's left-wing leaders
President Trump's latest barrage of draconian tariff threats against Brazil and Mexico has handed the leftist leaders of Latin America's biggest countries an unexpected gift — it's rallying their nations behind them, despite their unimpressive records. Two new polls show that Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's popularity has rebounded for the first time this year since Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods starting Aug.1. A July 16 Quaest poll shows 43% of Brazilians approve of Lula's government, up from 40% in May. Lula's popularity began to rebound after Trump announced his first round of tariff threats in March. A separate poll by Atlas/Bloomberg released last week shows 49.7% of Brazilians approve of Lula's job performance, a 2.4-point increase since June. 'The Trump tariffs have helped Lula,' Anthony Pereira, a Brazil expert at Florida International University, told me. 'It makes him look as he's defending sovereignty. And among the educated middle class, people feel he's taking the right position.' It's too early to say whether Lula's poll surge will last long enough to make him a viable candidate for a 2026 re-election run, but U.S. tariffs have given him some breathing room. Until recently, few believed Lula would run in next year's election. Brazil's economy is expected to grow just 2.3% this year, down from 3.4% last year, according to the International Monetary Fund. That's far below Brazil's economic expansion during the commodity boom of Lula's previous governments in the early 2000s. Now, there is growing speculation that Lula will ride a wave of nationalist sentiment into a re-election bid. 'This looks like a lighter version of what happened in Canada and Australia, where a 'Trump effect' helped center-left parties come from behind and win,' Pereira says. Trump's July 9 letter threatening more tariffs on Brazil criticized the Brazilian justice system for prosecuting his close ally, former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. The former Brazilian leader faces charges of plotting a coup to block Lula's 2022 election victory. Many Brazilians saw Trump's use of tariff threats to demand Bolsonaro's exoneration as a gross interference in their country's internal affairs. Lula said, 'Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.' According to the latest Quaest poll, 72% of Brazilians said Trump was wrong in linking his tariffs to the charges against Bolsonaro. Only 19% said the U.S. president was right. In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum has faced an increasingly stagnant economy and backlash over a controversial judicial reform. But Trump's tariff threats on Mexican goods have given her new political oxygen. Since Trump's first 25% tariff threat to Mexico in March, accusing Mexico of failing to stop migrants and fentanyl at the border, Sheinbaum's poll numbers have stayed strong, holding near 70% despite worsening economic news. Mexico's economy is expected to grow a paltry 0.1% this year — almost nothing. And Sheinbaum's push for the judicial reform she inherited has dangerously weakened the judiciary's independence and Mexico's democracy. But today, much of the criticism over Sheinbaum's performance has been drowned out by headlines about Trump's tariffs. Even conservative business leaders and journalists have praised Sheinbaum's firm but calm response to Trump's bullying. 'Mexico must be respected,' she has repeatedly said, urging the Trump team to negotiate a mutually beneficial tariff deal. In both Brazil and Mexico, many centrist and right-of-center opposition leaders say, rightly, that instead of attacking America's neighbors and trade partners, Trump should focus on his true rival: China. Even some hard-line former top Trump aides agree that the United States should embrace economic integration with Latin America to better compete with China rather than engaging in trade wars with the region. 'The main problem in today's international trade is China,' Trump's former National Security Adviser John Bolton told me. If Trump had united with other nations victimized by China's theft of intellectual property and protectionism, 'we would have much greater chance at affecting China's behavior than for the U.S. to declare a trade war against everybody,' Bolton told me. As for Mexico and Brazil, Bolton said Washington should help U.S. manufacturers move factories to Latin America, which would be a win-win for the entire hemisphere. But unfortunately, Trump doesn't get it, and his trade war 'will cause everybody, including the United States, a lot of unnecessary pain,' Bolton said. I agree. Trump's tariff threats on Brazilian and Mexico won't just make tomatoes, coffee and cars pricier for Americans, but will hand Latin America's populists a political lifeline. Ironically, an American president who claims to be a champion of the fight against the left may be fueling its revival south of the border. Don't miss the 'Oppenheimer Presenta' TV show on Sundays at 9 pm E.T. on CNN en Español. Blog:
Axios
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
What to know about Miami's "Good Trouble Lives On" protests
Tens of thousands of people are expected to protest the Trump administration again on Thursday, the fifth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader and former congressman John Lewis. Why it matters: Lewis was one of the most vocal critics of President Trump during his first administration. Trump's 2017 inauguration was the first that Lewis missed during his three-decade tenure in Congress. By the numbers: 56,000 people RSVP'd for more than 1,500 events across the country as of Friday, organizers said. Zoom in: In Miami, one rally will be at The Roots Bookstore & Market from 4pm-8:30pm, while the second is planned for 5pm-7pm at Florida International University Green Library. A third rally in Davie will be from 4:30pm-6pm at the entrance to Nova Southeastern University. What they're saying: "Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of action to respond to the attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration," the protest website said. "Together, we'll remind them that in America, the power lies with the people." The other side: "Nearly 80 million Americans gave President Trump a historic mandate to Make America Great Again and he is delivering on that promise in record time," White House spokesperson Liz Huston said in a statement. Context: Lewis, the son of sharecroppers, grew up in rural Alabama. The civil rights leader was arrested more than 40 times and injured repeatedly but remained an advocate for nonviolent protest, per the Library of Congress. "Rosa Parks inspired us to get in trouble," he said in 2019. "And I've been getting in trouble ever since. She inspired us to find a way, to get in the way, to get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble."
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Greater Miami catches up with NYC in one more way: high income inequality
As New Yorkers have flocked to Miami in recent years, the Magic City has started to look more and more like the Big Apple: Michelin restaurants abound, financial firms fill downtown and Brickell. But now, greater Miami is closing in on one of New York City's less-flattering superlatives: It's tied with NYC for having the worst income inequality of the country's 10 most-populous metro areas. Think of the local income distribution as a bottom-heavy hourglass. Some people make lots, while lots of people make little. South Florida has long been a place where the rich park their money, but wealth poured in during and after the pandemic, increasing the number of high earners who live here. That inflow of money, piled onto already high nationwide inflation, caused a surge in local prices, especially for housing. At the same time, many workers in the region's economy — which is built disproportionately on industries that feature low-wage jobs, like service, hospitality and construction — haven't seen their incomes keep pace. Income inequality has crept up so much over the last decade and a half, since the Census Bureau started tracking greater Miami's score, that half of Miamians now struggle to live here. If young, skilled workers can no longer afford to live here — or feel like they can't save, buy homes and generally get ahead — they'll leave. They already have been, said Howard Frank, a professor of public policy at Florida International University and an expert on South Florida's workforce. And losing that demographic, a pillar of the local workforce, could jeopardize Miami's efforts to reimagine itself as a world-class hub of industry — be it in financial services as 'Wall Street South,' in tech via crypto, or both. It's in the numbers The Census Bureau quantifies income inequality using something called the Gini index, a measurement of inequality where a 0 represents total equality — everyone earns the same amount — and 1 is complete inequality — one person earns everything. Greater Miami's Gini score is 0.51, higher than the nation's 0.48 average, meaning the region's income distribution skews toward the unequal. Within Miami-Dade County, Miami Beach had the highest score, 0.62, making it by far the most unequal, while the county's Everglades communities had the lowest, at 0.33. Miami, the region's largest city, scored a 0.54. The median household in greater Miami earns roughly $76,000 a year, according to the Census Bureau. To be considered 'middle class,' then, a household would have to earn somewhere between two-thirds and double that amount — $50,000 to $152,000. Pew Research estimates that 37% of adults in the Miami metro area earn less than that middle-class income floor. Compared to the U.S. more generally, where 28% of adult earners are in the lowest earning bracket, Miami has a relatively large low-income population. Meanwhile, across Florida, the highest-earning households account for a major portion of the state's earned income. Internal Revenue Service tax return data shows that the top 1% of Florida earners — the 105,000 tax filers that pulled at least $371,000 in 2022, the most recent year available — accounted for a third of the entire state's gross earnings. That's about how much the bottom 80% of Florida tax filers, who are roughly 8 million in number, collectively made. Except for Wyoming — home to fewer than 600,000 people — no American state saw its 1% earn a larger share of its population's income. Brain drain is a problem Miami's warm weather, relatively cheap real estate and favorable tax policies drew the wealthy in droves during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. They, in turn, drove up local prices, particularly for housing, faster than Miamians' wages rose. That's partially because many locals work in traditionally low-paying industries. 'Miami doesn't have a strong industrial base. It's a largely service-sector economy,' said Noah Williams, an economics professor at University of Miami's Herbert Business School. 'It's polarized between lower-wage jobs and some higher-income [jobs], particularly financial services.' And for some young workers, especially those with skills, looking to break into higher-paying industries, the cost can be unworkable. Or they find they get more bang for their buck elsewhere, said Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. More than a half-million people left Florida between 2022 and 2023, Census Bureau data shows. The most powerful magnets for migrating Floridians? Georgia, Texas and North Carolina, in that order — all states with relatively lower costs of living than the Sunshine State. According to the Metropolitan Center, Miami-Dade County alone lost more than 130,000 residents to migration between 2020 and 2023, and its population of 20-year-olds has dropped by nearly 35,000 since 2019. The Florida Chamber of Commerce found that, in 2023, the average age of a Florida emigrant was 32. One of the major motivating factors: Florida's high cost of living. 'It's hard to morph into a higher-wage economy if you're losing a lot of your best and brightest,' said Frank, the FIU professor. It's a risky dynamic, notes Wilson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. 'If we don't make living in Florida more affordable,' he said, 'the clear and present danger is that this workforce will leave Florida.' A race to solutions What can be done? Wilson sees three broad, interconnected solutions. First, connecting people with job training so they can up-skill into higher-paying careers. The second is providing targeted services, like access to affordable childcare, food and transportation — all needs that make taking a gamble on a new career possible. Lastly, said Wilson, costs need to be lowered. Home and auto insurance prices need to be brought down, childcare needs to be subsidized and affordable housing expanded. 'All of that stuff together is like a race,' Wilson remarked. But, he wondered, 'can we do it fast enough for it to matter?' This story was produced with financial support from supporters including The Green Family Foundation Trust and Ken O'Keefe, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Celebrating Excellence in Children's Mental Health at FIU
It's a late July day at summer camp, and 8-year-old 'Miguel' swings and misses: strike three. A few weeks ago, this moment would have triggered a tantrum — throwing the bat, maybe even tears. Today, he just hands the bat to the next player. In the outfield, a 9-year-old girl tracks the next batter's hit with focused eyes — a dramatic change from early summer when she'd be picking dandelions or toeing the dirt. Nearby, counselors track each child's progress on individualized goals — following directions, taking turns, handling disappointment — skills that will transform their experiences when school begins again. Because this isn't just any summer camp. This is FIU's Summer Treatment Program, where hundreds of children with ADHD and related challenges experience what appears to be typical summer fun but are actually immersed in cutting-edge therapeutic interventions. At Florida International University's Center for Children and Families, scenes like this represent the heart of our mission: pioneering revolutionary approaches to children's mental health. What many South Florida families may not yet know is that world-class, transformative help for children's mental health challenges is flourishing right here in our community. Since opening in 2010, our Center has become a beacon of research and therapeutic excellence. We've assembled a remarkable team of nearly 40 leading experts in child and adolescent mental health who collaborate to pioneer better ways to identify challenges early, develop effective treatments, and share this knowledge with families, schools, and healthcare providers. Our crown jewel is the nationally recognized Summer Treatment Program for children with ADHD. This extraordinary program delivers the equivalent of seven years of weekly therapy in a single summer through an engaging camp experience. Children thrive in sports, art, and classroom activities carefully designed to build communication skills, emotional regulation, and social confidence — all while having fun in a supportive environment where every activity has purpose. The transformations we witness each summer are remarkable. Children who struggled to follow directions, make friends, or succeed academically blossom before our eyes. Parents arrive with children who've experienced a challenging school year and leave with not only happier children but also a toolbox of proven strategies they can implement at home and at school. As one parent told us, 'It created a foundation for us to build the skills that he's going to need for a lifetime.' Our innovation extends far beyond ADHD treatment. Our 'Brave Bunch' program helps children who speak normally at home but remain silent in school or social settings progressively build confidence through carefully designed social challenges – from ordering food at restaurants to joining playground activities. For children struggling with reading, our Reading Explorers program deploys a small army of expertly trained tutors across 120 summer programs in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, providing early intervention that boosts reading skills and builds academic confidence. Last year alone, this program helped over 3,000 children discover the magic of reading. Throughout the year, our state-of-the-art outpatient clinic provides individual, family, and group therapy, including telehealth services available throughout Florida. We've forged dynamic partnerships with schools and community organizations to bring our expertise directly to where children and families are. And our innovative collaboration with the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine ensures that families receive integrated care addressing both mental health and medical needs through comprehensive psychiatric services. The research discoveries emerging from our center represent another dimension of our excellence. Our groundbreaking studies have challenged conventional wisdom about ADHD treatment, demonstrating that behavioral interventions should be the first-line approach, with medication considered secondarily if needed — an approach that proves both more effective and more cost-efficient. Other pioneering research teams are advancing understanding of how sleep affects memory and brain development, how social media impacts adolescent mental health, and how brain and environmental factors influence risk for substance use disorders. As we celebrate our accomplishments, we're motivated to broaden our impact. With demand for our services continuing to grow, we aim to reach more families by expanding our programs, reducing wait times, and enhancing access to care. The Children's Trust of Miami-Dade County has been an invaluable partner in this mission, but expanding our transformative programs requires additional community support and resources. Every investment in children's mental health pays extraordinary dividends — in stronger families, more successful schools, and a healthier community. The breakthroughs we've achieved — a child with ADHD discovering focus and confidence, a selectively mute child finding their voice, a struggling reader experiencing the joy of reading fluidly — remind us of what's possible when research excellence meets compassionate care. To learn more about our innovative programs, research, or how to support our work, visit Drs. Jeremy Pettit and Katie Hart are Executive Director and Director, respectively, of the FIU Center for Children and Families.
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
How this Miami salsa dancer is making line dancing cool again
Last November, Nicole Castro stepped onto the dance floor at Pub 52 in South Miami surrounded by a crowd of 150 people. The 2010 Flo Rida classic 'Club Can't Handle Me' blared from the speakers. Castro started showing the group the steps to a line dance she choreographed to the song. About 20 people slowly started to pick up her moves and were following her. When she posted this moment to TikTok the next day, it instantly went viral. Since then, the video has amassed 2.8 million views. Throughout the past year of posting line dancing videos on TikTok, she has accumulated 6.4 million likes on her profile. Castro, 19, is a Cuban-American student at Florida International University from Miami who learned to dance salsa when she was a child. She joined salsa dance studio Baila Con Micho when she was 12 and at Mater Academy Charter High School she was the president of the salsa club. Today, she line dances because she loves creating choreography or finding a new, trendy dance to teach. Line dances are generally associated with country music, but now creating line dances to pop songs is the new trend. Castro likes the freedom that line dancing gave her to expand beyond salsa. 'There's only so much in salsa you can learn,' Castro says. 'So there wasn't that kind of sense of challenge, and I kind of missed that from dancing.' Her friends convinced her to line dance at Copper Blues in Doral last July. The scene was nothing like she thought it would be. 'It was a lot less country than I expected,' said Castro. 'I went the next week, and I just felt at home. There's always something else to learn.' She bought a pair of $70 'cowboy' boots on Amazon immediately after her first time line dancing. She loved the challenge of learning a completely different dance style, following new routines on TikTok and choreographing her own. Castro began uploading videos of herself on TikTok here and there. However, she noticed that her line dancing posts would receive the most engagement. Line dancing videos are a phenomenon on TikTok. The hashtag #linedancing has been used in over 200,000 videos on platform. But it was her first choreography to 'Club Can't Handle Me' by Flo Rida that made her go viral. Chris Taad, 46, also known as DJ Illmanik, was DJing at Pub 52 and he insisted that Castro should create a dance to the song but she kept putting him off. Then last November, he gave her the nudge she needed. He introduced Castro to the audience over the microphone, and she danced the choreography to the Flo Rida song. 'She was nervous the whole night,' says Taad. 'I dropped the song, and I said 'Well, you'll never be ready if you don't do it.'' Though only around 20 dancers picked up the steps that night, after she uploaded the video to TikTok and it took off, people were ready. 'The next week, more people learned my choreography,' says Castro. 'Then the week after, even more people learned it. It was so surreal to see people from all over doing the dance I created. I can't believe I reached that audience.' 'Everybody loves watching her dance,' says Taad, who met Castro at Southern Soul, a dance instruction business. 'She's just so energetic, all her steps are on point. She incorporates salsa into her line dancing 100 percent.' Castro teaches line dancing in South Florida at places like the Round Up in Davie and The Berry Farm in the Redland. She even teaches at birthday parties and choreographs quinceañeras. 'When I look back and I see the dance floor, everyone just learned the dance that I taught them and we're all having a good time and I know I'm providing that for very fulfilling,' she said. Natalie Lahera, 25, who works for Copper Blues has seen how Castro's line dancing has snowballed because of the way she can connect with the dancers. 'Nicole's energy is so contagious and everyone naturally gravitates to her when we're out dancing,' she said. 'You have to learn how to read your crowd,' says Castro. 'On the spot, you have to dictate what you're going to do with them.' This story is the product of a partnership between the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media and the Miami Herald.
