Trump Says US to Form Venture With Japan for Alaska LNG Exports
Japan is 'forming a joint venture with us in Alaska for the LNG,' Trump told lawmakers in Washington. 'They're all set to make that deal now.' The president didn't provide further details on the Alaska venture, however, and it wasn't immediately clear whether the plans represented a handshake agreement or something more formal.
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Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Philippines goods to face 19% tariff, Trump says
The US will levy a 19% tax on imports from the Philippines, US President Donald Trump has announced after meeting with the country's president at the White House. Trump wrote on social media on Tuesday that the new tariff was part of a wider pact, in which the Philippines would remove duties on US goods and the two countries would cooperate militarily. "It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal," he wrote on social media, offering no further details about the apparent agreement. The plan, which was not confirmed by the Philippines, would leave the country facing a tax even higher than what Trump had threatened when he first announced sweeping global tariffs in April. At the time, Trump said his goal with instituting tariffs was to push countries to drop policies he saw as unfair to the US. His plans set off a flurry of trade talks with countries around the world. He has since announced a handful of deals, including with the UK, China and Indonesia. But the agreements so far have kept in place high tariffs, with key issues unresolved or unconfirmed by both parties. With Trump now threatening a new round of higher duties to go into effect 1 August, some of America's biggest and most important trade partners, including the European Union and Canada, remain in limbo. As hopes for a deal dim, officials in Europe are increasingly rallying around plans for potential retaliation. In Canada on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that "complex negotiations" were continuing but was noncommittal on the prospect of reaching a deal by Trump deadline next week. "We'll see," he told reporters after meeting with premiers in Ontario. "The Americans objectives are multiple, they change over time ... but what is clear is that the Canadian government will not accept a bad agreement. The objective is not to have an agreement at any cost." Trump's tariff plans sparked widespread financial turmoil when he announced them originally in April, putting forward a plan that would leave the US with its highest duties since the early 1900s. He subsequently suspended some of the plan's most aggressive measures, while leaving in place a universal 10% tariff on most goods and separately hitting certain items, such as cars, copper, steel and aluminium, with higher duties. But in recent weeks, as markets have calmed and the US economy held steady, Trump has returned to plans for higher duties, sending letters to countries outlining plans for new tariffs that he says will go into force on 1 August. In a letter to leaders in the Philippines this month, he had said he would charge a 20% tariff on the country's goods. That was up from 17% rate he had threatened in April. In a statement on Wednesday, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines said the reduction in the tariff from the most recent rate threatened was "encouraging". "We will continue to find other ways to enhance and deepen our economic partnership," it said. The Philippines is a relatively small trade partner with the US, sending about $14.2bn worth of goods to the America last year. That included car parts, electric machinery, textiles and coconut oil. Meanwhile for companies, the cost of the new tariffs is increasing. General Motors on Tuesday said tariffs had cost it more than $1bn over three months. That followed an earlier disclosure from rival Stellantis, maker of Jeep, which said the measures had cost it €300m (£259.6m, $349.2m). Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
CNET
27 minutes ago
- CNET
Trump's AI Action Plan Is Here: 5 Key Takeaways
The Trump administration on Wednesday laid out the steps it plans to take to ensure "global AI dominance" for the US, with an AI Action Plan that calls for cutting regulations to speed up the development of artificial intelligence tools and the infrastructure to power them. Critics said the plan is a handout to tech and fossil fuel companies, slashing rules that could protect consumers, prevent pollution and fight climate change. Though the plan itself isn't binding (it includes dozens of policy recommendations), Trump did sign three executive orders to put some of these steps into action. The changes and proposals follow how the Trump administration has approached AI and technology over the past six months -- giving tech companies a largely free hand; focusing on beating China; and prioritizing the construction of data centers, factories and fossil fuel power plants over environmental regulations. It's seizing on the moment created by the arrival of ChatGPT less than three years ago and the ensuing wave of generative AI efforts by Google, Meta and others. "My administration will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the United States can build and maintain the largest and most powerful and advanced AI infrastructure anywhere on the planet," Trump said during remarks Wednesday evening at a summit presented by the Hill and Valley Forum and the All-In Podcast. He signed the three executive orders at the event. The administration and tech industry groups touted the plan as a framework for US success in a race against China. "President Trump's AI Action Plan presents a blueprint to usher in a new era of US AI dominance," Jason Oxman, president and CEO of the tech industry trade group ITI, said in a statement. Consumer groups said the plan focuses on deregulation and would hurt consumers by reducing the rules that could protect them. "Whether it's promoting the use of federal land for dirty data centers, giving the FTC orders to question past cases, or attempting to revive some version of the soundly defeated AI moratorium by tying federal funds to not having 'onerous regulation' according to the FCC, this is an unwelcome distraction at a critical time for government to get consumer protection right with increasing AI use and abuse," Ben Winters, director of AI and privacy at the Consumer Federation of America, said in a statement. Here's a look at the proposals in the plan. Slashing regulations for AI infrastructure The plan says AI growth will require infrastructure, including chip factories, data centers and more energy generation. And it blames environmental regulations for getting in the way. In response, it proposes exemptions for AI-related construction from certain environmental regulations, including those aimed at protecting clean water and air. It also suggests making federal lands available for data center construction and related power plants. To provide energy for all those data centers, the plan calls for steps to prevent the "premature decommissioning of critical power generation resources." This likely refers to keeping coal-fired power plants and other mostly fossil-fuel-driven infrastructure online for longer. In his remarks, Trump specifically touted his support for coal and nuclear power plants. The administration also called to prioritize the connection of new "reliable, dispatchable power sources" to the grid and specifically named nuclear fission and fusion and advanced geothermal generation. Earlier this month, the president signed a bill that would end many tax credits and incentives for renewable energy -- wind and solar -- years earlier than planned. Wind and solar make up the bulk of the new energy generation being added to the US grid right now. "This US AI Action Plan doesn't just open the door for Big Tech and Big Oil to team up, it unhinges and removes any and all doors -- it opens the floodgates, continuing to kneecap our communities' rights to protect ourselves," KD Chavez, executive director of the Climate Justice Alliance, said in a statement. "With tech and oil's track records on human rights and their role in the climate crisis, and what they are already doing now to force AI dominance, we need more corporate and environmental oversight, not less." Fewer rules around AI technology Congress ended up not including a moratorium on state AI rules in the recently passed tax and spending bill but efforts to cut regulations around AI continue from the executive branch in the action plan. "AI is far too important to smother in bureaucracy at this early stage, whether at the state or Federal level," the plan says. The plan recommends that several federal agencies review whether existing or proposed rules would interfere with the development and deployment of AI. The feds would consider whether states' regulatory climate is favorable for AI when deciding to award funding. Federal Trade Commission investigations and orders would be reviewed to determine that they don't "advance theories of liability that unduly burden AI innovation." Those rule changes could undermine efforts to protect consumers from problems caused by AI, critics said. "Companies -- including AI companies -- have a legal obligation to protect their products from being used for harm," Justin Brookman, director of tech policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement. "When a company makes design choices that increase the risk their product will be used for harm, or when the risks are particularly serious, companies should bear legal responsibility." Ideology and large language models The plan proposes some steps around ensuring AI "protects free speech and American values," further steps in the Trump administration's efforts to roll back federal policies around what it refers to as "diversity, equity and inclusion," along with references to the problems of misinformation and climate change. It calls for eliminating references to those items in the National Institute of Standards and Technology's AI Risk Management Framework. Federal agencies would only be allowed to contract with AI developers who "ensure that their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological bias." The Trump administration has recently announced contracts of up to $200 million each to developers Anthropic, Google, OpenAI and xAI. Grok, the model from Elon Musk's xAI, has recently come under fire for spouting antisemitism and hate speech. Dealing with workforce challenges The plan acknowledges that AI will "transform how work gets done across all industries and occupations, demanding a serious workforce response to help workers navigate that transition" and recommends actions by federal agencies including the Department of Labor intended to mitigate the harms of AI-driven job displacement. The plan calls for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis to monitor how AI affects the labor market using data already collected. An AI Workforce Research Hub under the Department of Labor would lead monitoring and issue policy recommendations. Most of the actual plans to help workers displaced by AI involve retraining those workers for other jobs or to help states do the same. Other jobs-related recommendations are aimed at boosting the kinds of jobs needed for all those data centers and chip manufacturing plants -- like electricians and HVAC technicians. These plans and others to encourage AI literacy and AI use in education drew praise from the Software & Information Industry Association, a tech industry trade group. "These are key components for building trust and ensuring all communities can participate in and benefit from AI's potential," Paul Lekas, SIIA's senior vice president of global public policy, said in a statement. More AI in government The plan envisions more use of AI by the federal government. A talent exchange program would allow employees with experience or talent in AI to be detailed to other agencies in need. The General Services Administration would create a toolbox of AI models that would help agencies see models to choose from and use cases in other parts of the government. Every government agency would also be required to ensure employees who could use AI in their jobs have access to and training for AI tools. Many recommendations focus specifically on the Department of Defense, including creating a virtual proving ground for AI and autonomous systems. AI companies have already been signing contracts with the DOD to develop AI tools for the military.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump's Epstein problem grows: Even his voters want more files released
Loretta Duchesne doesn't have much faith in the government, and that's part of the reason she cast a ballot last November for Donald Trump. The 35-year-old makeup artist from northern Louisiana said she felt Trump would be 'transparent' and 'expose corruption.' She's disappointed that the Trump administration isn't releasing all the records in the Jeffrey Epstein case. 'It feels now more like he's protecting someone or something if he won't reveal it,' said Duchesne, an independent who once voted for President Barack Obama. Duchesne likes Trump policies such as his stance on the border and doesn't regret voting for him. But when it comes to Epstein, she said she doesn't accept the official narrative about the wealthy financier who died in prison awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges and also believes the administration is making a mistake and undermining its credibility by holding material back on the years-old criminal case involving alleged underage victims. Most Trump voters interviewed by USA TODAY share Duchesne's desire to see more Epstein records released, illustrating why the case has become so problematic for a second-term president who has a long, documented history of associating with Epstein and recently has publicly questioned why there remains such a deep interest in a man who died six years ago. Epstein is one of the rare issues where Trump appears to be out of step with his base. USA TODAY spoke with seven Trump supporters, and most believe there is more to be revealed about Epstein and want to see the government be more forthcoming with its documentation of his case. Their suspicions persist despite the Department of Justice releasing a memo July 7 that tried to close the book on the Epstein saga. New York's chief medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide, but some – including many Trump loyalists – have questioned that finding and whether the government is shielding Epstein's potential clients from public view. The DOJ memo reaffirmed the finding that Epstein died by suicide, said there is no 'incriminating client list' and no evidence he blackmailed prominent people. But instead of dispelling speculation about the case, the memo only inflamed things further, putting the administration in the hot seat. Utah resident Shar Kynaston, 75, said she doesn't think Epstein killed himself and believes "he probably had a preferred, high-paying list' of clients. 'I think that there is a cover-up, but I don't know the extent of it,' said Kynaston, a retired federal worker who voted for Trump in all three of his presidential races in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Kynaston wants the Epstein files released, but she still likes Trump. The same goes for Victoria Rivas, 20, a Miami University student and vice president of the Ohio college's Republican club. 'I do think we deserve transparency,' Rivas said. Trump recently pushed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of Epstein grand jury testimony, which the DOJ is doing. But that's just a portion of the records that haven't been released and it's not enough for Rivas, a Trump voter who attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last year when he officially became the party's nominee, just days after he was shot in an assassination attempt. 'That's very picky and choosy,' Rivas said of just releasing grand jury testimony, adding that all the Epstein records should be released. Rivas views the first six months of Trump's second term as 'a lot of promises made and a lot of promises kept,' but on Epstein she said he's falling short. Part of the problem for Trump is that those around him, including high-profile figures in his administration, spent years hyping up the potential for bombshell revelations in the Epstein files. "Show us all the Epstein client list now!!!' Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted on X in 2023. 'Why would anyone protect those scum bags? Ask yourselves this question daily and the answer becomes very apparent!!' The president was more circumscribed in his Epstein comments. Responding in June 2024 to a Fox News interviewer who asked whether he would declassify the files, Trump said: 'Yeah, yeah, I would. I guess I would.' But he added: 'I think that less so, because you don't know − You don't want to affect people's lives if there's phony stuff in there, because there's a lot of phony stuff in that whole world. But I think I would.' Some Trump supporters who spoke to USA TODAY said there was an expectation that more would be revealed. 'It all has to come out,' Rivas said. The backlash Trump is receiving on Epstein has raised questions about whether it will dent his image among his base and could potentially be a drag for Republicans in the 2026 midterm election. Rivas doesn't see the issue as "a top concern for our country," and other Trump supporters said the same. Pennsylvania home builder Mark Bass, 65, said he doesn't think Epstein killed himself, doesn't accept that there isn't a client list and believes the administration should release more information. Still, Bass is 'ecstatic' about Trump's presidency. 'I think he's done a fantastic job, he's done more than he's said he's going to do, and I don't think this will make any difference whatsoever,' said Bass, a Republican who voted for Trump in each of the last three elections. Trump has struggled to shake off the Epstein issue, though, and after initially lashing out at supporters who questioned his administration's handling of the case, the president and his team have been seeking ways to placate critics. DOJ officials announced July 22 that they will seek to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, an Epstein associate found guilty of aiding his abuse. Duchesne, the Louisiana makeup artist, said she's moderately disappointed in Trump's handling of the Epstein case. If the truth is so 'vanilla' then why not just release the records, she wondered. 'It makes me look at you sideways,' she said. 'You're deflecting. Why aren't you just releasing?' Contributing: Aysha Bagchi This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump's voters want more Jeffrey Epstein files released
