breaking overnight. a tariff tit-for-tat devolves into an all-out trade war. the trump administration slapping canada, mexico and china with sweeping tariffs at the stroke of midnight, drawing swift retaliation from america's biggest trading partners. we have team covere with how itit cou raise prices on everything from food to electric

bills. and the early reaction from wall street. a new blow to ukraine overnight. president trump freezing military aid to the country, just days after his public clash with ukraine's president zelenskyy. what led to the pause. a twist in the case against the man accused of opening fire on a crowd during a july 4th parade in a chicago suburb. why the suspected shooter is changing his plea. remembering carl dean, a man who inspired "lene", dolly parton's touching tribute to her husband of nearly 60 years. and still lives from new york. the portraits captured each week. it's tuesday, march 4. "early today" starts right now. good morning. i'm frances rivera. we start with breaking news. a global trade war kicked off at the stroke of midnight. president trump's 25% tariffs on canada and mexico are now in effect. and tariffs on chinese imports

have increased by 10%. nbc's alice barr joins me now from d.c. good morning, alice. what reaction are we seeing to this so far? >> reporter: good morning, frances. yeah, we are already seeing retaliation from china and from canada. china says it will impose tariffs of up to 15% starting next week, targeting american agriculture. the tariffs will be imposed on products like chicken, wheat, cotton and beef. canada says it will respond with 25% tariffs on over $100 billion of american goods. and, ontario's premier said he would be happy to cut off electricity exports to the u.s. canada supplies about 20% of the power for new york city, which would likely mean higher electric bills. the price of a new car is predicted to increase by as much as $12,000. nbc's christine romans visited a factory in michigan. >> reporter: tariffs on canadian

goods mean what for you in your business? >> it means dramatically-increased costs that we might not be ablto recover. >> reporter: this isn't a wrinkle in your business. >> oh, this is not a wrinkle. it's a wicked problem. >> reporter: the white house says it wants the other countries to stop the flow of fentanyl, but canada is pushing back, saying less than 1% of fentanyl found at the u.s. border comes from canada. the white house press secretary defended the tariffs last night. >> tariffs can bring good-paying jobs back to the united states of america. they protect critical industries here at home. these tariffs are necessary to continue to put the pressure on these countries to secure our borders. >> reporter: and president trump will get the chance to explain the tariffs tonight during a joint address to congress. this is one of many pressing issues, including rising inflation, the price of eggs and the spread of bird flu. the mass layoffs led by doge and elon musk. the e measles outbreak spreadin

in texas and u.s. foreign policy on ukraine and russia, including the pause of aid to ukraine. the government also faces a potential government shutdown on march 14th, with disagreements over the dismantling of federal agencies. hope for deal for next friday is fading. >> you can watch president trump's joint address to congress right here on nbc at 9:00 eastern. the looming trade war sending shock waves down wall street after president trump's tariff announcement. the dow dropped 650 points while the nasdaq plunged nearly 500. cnbc's karen gilchrist is here with a look at what to expect in markets today. good morning, karen. >> good morning, frances. a real day of reckoning for markets as we hit the deadline for tariffs against canada, mexico and china. the dow falling 1.5% and the

nasdaq falling 2.6%. nvidia fell 9%. broadcom shedding 6%. this as invest evers sought sanctuary in more defensive stocks such as real estate and goods. safe haven asset gold held steady. and global marks had asian stocks lower on tuesday's session. now beijing, as we heard, has vowed to retaliate with 15% tariffs on u.s. goods in certain sectors, particularly targeting the agricultural sector, obviously important to trump's base, but also eliminating the export of goods to 15 u.s. companies. now european markets also opening lower as they digest the

ramifications. u.s. futures ticking slightly higher overnight. a lot can change. back to you, frances. >> thank you. new this morning, president trump has suspended military aid to ukraine just days after he berated president zelenskyy in the oval office. a white house official says the pause is to ensure that american aid is, quote, contributing to a solution. it is a stunning reversal after nearly three straight years of bipartisan u.s. support for ukraine. and, when asked about mr. trump's move, republican house speaker mike johnson said, quote, that's his decision. our gabe gutierrez has more. >> reporter: two u.s. officials tell nbc news the trump administration is pausing u.s. military aid to ukraine, a seismic policy shift towards the u.s. ally and a win for russia. white house official telling nbc news the president has been clear that he is focussed on peace. and we need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. more than three years into russia's war on ukraine, president trump says potential peace talks are not dead, but

the next move is up to ukraine's president zelenskyy. >> i just think he should be more appreciative, because this country has stuck with him through thick and thin. [speaking in a global language] >> reporter: president trump firing back after zelenskyy said a peace deal was still very, very far away. >> he said he thinks the war's going to go on for a long time. and he better not be right about that. >> reporter: negotiations with ukraine on a deal to share the country's mineral wealth as pay back for u.s. aid seen as a first step in the broader peace process, collapsed. after friday's diplomatic disaster in the oval office. >> you're dealing with world war iii. >> reporter: top officials saying zelenskyy needs to express more regret for friday's explosive confrontation. >> time is not on his side. time is not on the side of just forever continuing this conflict. the american people's patience is not unlimited. their wallets are not unlimited. >> reporter: zelenskyy this weekend getting support at an emergency meeting of european

leaders, as tension with the white house now prompting children about the future of nato and trump's relationship with russian president putin, a u.s. official tells nbc news that in late february, before friday's oval office showdown, defense secretary pete hegseth ordered u.s. cyber command to stand down on offensive cyber operations against russia. the kremlin now saying the white house's foreign policy, largely coincides with our vision, troubling for trump's former national security advisor, hr mcmaster. >> vladimir putin couldn't be happier. what he sees is all the pressure on zelenskyy, all the pressure on ukraine. and no pressure on him. >> reporter: president trump then posting, we should spend less time worrying about putin and more time worrying about illegal immigration and crime. pressed about the kremlin's statement, trump arguing he's been tough on russia, and his focus now is getting putin to negotiate. >> it takes two to tango. and you're going to have to make a deal with russia, and you're

going to have to make a deal with ukraine. i gave russia nothing except grief. i gave them nothing. i gave them sanctions, and they say how close i am to russia. let me tell you. we have to make a deal, because there are a lot of people being killed that shouldn't be killed. >> and our thanks to gabe for that report. the head of new york's fbi field office says he was forced out of his job after he urged his employees to resist the trump administration's attempts to get the names of all agents who worked on january 6 cases. dennehy says he has put in his retirement pages. sources say dennehy was given an ultimatum, resign or be fired. on his first day back in office this year, president trump pardoned all 1500 people convicted of the attack on the capitol, including violent offenders. backlash mounting after the senate confirmed former wwe

executive linda mcmahon as the next u.s. education secretary. mcmahon, who has little experience in education, has said she wholeheartedly agrees with president trump's mission to eliminate the education department. the national education association said there is no evidence mcmahon will support public schools, while the naacp called monday another dark day in america. the accused gunman in that 2022 fourth of july shooting in highland park, illinois pleading guilty moments before the jury trial was set to begin. robert crimo iii pleaded guilty to 69 counts of murder and attempted murder, shocking a courtroom filled with survivors and victims' families. >> i think there is a huge, collective feeling of relief. our community wanted justice. >> at this moment, we're all just sort of surprised and relieved that they don't have to experience the unbelievable pain of reliving this experience for the next three to five weeks. >> prosecutors say crimo killed seven people and injured 48

after climbing atop a building and shooting into a crowd gathered for an independence day parade. crimo is set to be sentenced on april 23rd and faces life in prison without parole. turning to the south where wildfires roared across the carolinas, first responders finally gaining some ground, dowsing the fast-moving flames as heavy smoke chokes out neighborhoods. this blaze burning near myrtle beach is the biggest south carolina has seen in at least five years. it has scorched over 2,000 acres and is 30% contained. a state of emergency remains in effect with the governor noting monday that no lives or buildings have been lost. and north carolina fire crews battling wildfires of their own. a fire in pope county raging several months after the region was rorocked by hurricane helen. the debris from the storm becoming fuel from the flames which have devoured nearly 600 acres. it's n 63% contained. so a late winter storm is

bearing down on the rockies this morning, something else angie lassman is tracking. good morning, angie. >> good morning, frances. this massive storm system causing a lot of potential for impacts through the day today. we've already got a tornado watch across texas and oklahoma through 5:00 a.m. central time. there's thunderstorm warnings as well as tornado warnings south of san angelo. that robust line continuing to move to the east as the morning goes on. we'll keep that severe threat. we've got 10 million folks under winter alerts. 77 million people across the plains and southeast under wind alerts. and the severe weather threat, though, 27 million. this is going to be something we watch through the day today. you can see as the line moves east it will shift the severe threat. shreveport, jackson, new orleans included in that. a few strong tornados likely as

well as strong winds. we've also got snow and with ra forecast for st. louis. 59 degrees in kansas city today. we head to the upper 40s for chicago and minneapolis this afternoon. and that's a look at your forecast, frances, back to you. >> "early today" is back in a minute with a health setback for pope frances, and new orleans steps up security like never before ahead of mardi gras celebrations today. mardi gras celebrations today. every wash. cause the active ingredient in head & shoulders fights off the microbes that cause dandruff. microbes are on everyone's scalp and can cause irritation. but when you use head & shoulders every wash... it keeps these rascals at bay and helps prevent dandruff before it starts. where do you think you're going?!

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fentanyl. she maintains it was an accident. first responders revived three other children exposed to the fentanyl with narcan. police found a brick of found drugstored on top of children's play mats. authorities blocking roads in new orleans and strategically patrolling by air, water and foot in the wake of the new year's ramming attack. but high winds and thunderstorms are forecasted. floats are still planning to roll, but parades will not have marchers, bands or trucks. the vatican says pope francis slept through the night and continues resting today as he battles double pneumonia. it comes after the pontiff appeared to have a setback yesterday. the vatican revealing pope francis suffered two respiratory episodes which put him back on ventilation. still to come, for one

country legend there was one man no one could compete with. dolly parton pays tribute to her little-seen but hugely-influential husband of nearly six decades. husband of nearly six decades. with plaque psoriasis even the thought of an itchy situation can throw you off your game. (scratching sound) (scratching sound) (dog whimpers) otezla is the #1 prescribed pill to treat plaque psoriasis. (people shouting guesses) otezla can help you get clearer skin, and reduce itching and flaking. (people shouting guesses) doctors have been prescribing otezla for over a decade. don't use otezla if you're allergic to it. get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms. severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; depression, suicidal thoughts or weight loss can happen. tell youdoctor if any of these occur, and if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. (people shouting guesses) football! (people cheering) with less itchy redness game night is a great night. live in the moment.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ jolene, jolene, jolene, jolene ♪ ♪ i'm begging of you please, don't take my man ♪ >> a country music love story that spanned nearly 60 years came to an end sadly yesterday. dolly parton announcing that her husband carl dean died at the age of 82. dean mostly shied away from the spotlight since marrying parton in 1966 but is known to have inspired several of her songs including what you just heard, the immortal "jolene." she said words can't do justice to the perfect love we shared for almost 60 years.

what a perfect ying yang. it's going to be a tough one. but what a love they had to celebrate. >> it's so crazy to think about they were married all that time. and just like you, i could never have picked him out of a crowd. and what a private life he lived with one of the most famous women on the planet. there was no real pain for macaulay culkin. he talked about his emotional reaction to his younger brother kieran, taking home best supporting actor. the elder culkin said that category was the only part of the ceremony he watched. he said both he and his partner brenda song predicted kieran would win and that he cried when it happened. kieran of course got his own start in his brother's breakout film 1990's home alone. i am of the mind-set that it is so great to watch wonderful things happen to the people you love. >> how cool would it be, wouldn't you love to see them

working together? >> i have thought that a million times. we're manifesting it. when we come back, women's flag football is getting a new spotlight. and serena's big bet on the wnba. and serena's big bet on th wnba. i got this wow skin from olay body wash. it's new super serum: sink into my skin with 5 powerful ingredients. 5 benefits in 1! look at this olay difference. so luminous! olay super serum body wash.

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but the truth? it can't support those claims. choose neuriva plus — which supports six brain health indicators, including memory, with clinically tested ingredients. it's time to switch to neuriva. time now for what's making headlines this morning. the faa is investigating after multiple pilots preparing to land at reagan national airport received faulty warnings about possible obstacles in their flight path this weekend. no injuries were reported. a woman was stung by a scorpion while retrieving luggage in boston. she was on a return trip from mexico. and police say think don't know where the scorpion came from. serena williams will be joining a new ownership team for

the toronto tempo. and more and more high schools and colleges are adding women's flag football to their lineup. the atlantic east conference will become the first ncaa conference at any level to officially introduce the sport. "early today" will be right back. e right back. ♪♪ when comfy softness beads... ...meet fragrant scent beads... ...they blend together to create an incredible feeling beyond cozy... ...called cozé. new downy comfy cozy breathes life into your laundry. time to press rewind with... neutrogena rapid wrinkle repair. it has derm-proven retinol... ...expertly formulated... ...to target skin cell turnover... ...and fights not one—but 5 signs of aging. with visible results... ...in just one week. neutrogena when my doctor gave me breztri for my copd... things changed for me. breztri gave me... better breathing, symptom improvement, and reduced flare-ups. breztri won't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems. it is not for asthma.

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hatching egg. look how easy it is to watch when that happens. it will be so cool. now to the lens behind the laughs. they're a staple on "saturday night live." joe friar sat down with the photographer who has captured snl in her own way for more than 25 seasons. >> here we go. great. >> reporter: week after week, maryellen matthews is looking for something. >> that lightning strike through the camera. you see somebody, really see them there. >> reporter: a split second of magic. port port rats of the guests. >> this is timothee chalamet in central park? >> yes. >> reporter: each photo only gets a few seconds of tv

airtime. but now they are immortalized in a new book. thursday is the day you do the shoot, and that's in the middle of total chaos, right? >> the musical guest is rehearsing while we're shooting. and we're shouting, like keep it down over there. >> reporter: she's been the resident photographer since 1999, working with hundreds of subjects from sophisticated legends. >> wow. that's it, yes, good, good, good. i love this. >> reporter: to this clumsy journalist posing as an old-fashioned news hound. >> you're typing away, you're putting the phone down. don't ever call me again. yes, good, good, good. >> reporter: yet, no matter who's in front of her lens, lightning does strike, powered by a flash. joe friar, nbc news, new york. >> it always happens so fast. they get it done. now to alaska where one of

the world's most famous races is off and running. the race honors the 1925 run when sled dogs helped deliver medicine to nome. the race kicked off further north. thanks so much for being with me and waking up with "early today." hope you have a great tuesday and see you back here early wednesday morning. have a great day. have a great day. story" tonight.

i'm tom llamas. stay right there, more news on the way. s on the way. breaking overnight, president trump's tariffs on goods from canada, mexico and additional tariffs on china now in effect. china and canada already promising retaliation. what it means for your bottom line. plus, president trump also ordering a pause on military aid