May 14, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Workers, jobs and wages are central to the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, in which the two countries have exchanged tariffs and threats recently. Though many Americans fear that they will be the ones to pay the price for the friction, Judy Woodruff talks to James Hoffa Jr., president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, about why he thinks the tariffs are a “good idea.”

Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan has long been considered a Democratic rising star. After unsuccessfully challenging Nancy Pelosi for her leadership role in 2016, he’s now running for president. In his platform, Ryan emphasizes the need to bring U.S. industry into the present and beyond, with sustainable energy sources and modern technology. Judy Woodruff talks to Ryan about why he's the right leader for 2020.

Colleges created remedial education classes to ensure students were sufficiently prepared for more advanced material. But increasingly, there’s a sense that remedial courses are hurting the prospects of the students they are intended to help. As a result, some California colleges and high schools are rethinking their approach to teaching math -- with encouraging results. Hari Sreenivasan reports.

Award-winning writer and historian Jared Diamond has spent his career studying the rise and fall of civilizations. In his latest book, “Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis,” he examines major geopolitical events of recent decades, in search of lessons to navigate an uncertain future. William Brangham asks Diamond about whether the U.S. is in crisis now and how it can solve its problems.

In our news wrap Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Russia over its interference in U.S. elections. Meeting in Sochi with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who again denied meddling in 2016, Pompeo called such intrusion “unacceptable.” Also, Florida's governor says Russian hackers breached voter databases in two counties before the 2016 election but did not compromise results.

Over the past week, the difficult relationship between the U.S. and Iran has become even more strained. The Trump administration warned of severe consequences for any Iranian aggression, while Iran has threatened to exceed limits on its nuclear program. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said rebels in Yemen believed to be backed by Iran staged an attack. Judy Woodruff talks to Nick Schifrin for more.