Latest news with #Defense
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Trump: Marcos a strong negotiator; US, PH may agree on tariff rate
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Donald Trump met at the White House, reaffirming the 'good relationship' between their countries and saying they were close to finalizing a trade agreement. "We're going to talk about trade today and we are very close to finishing a trade deal, a big trade deal actually," Trump told reporters at the start of his meeting with the Philippine leader. Marcos is the first Southeast Asian leader to meet Trump in his second term. Trump has already struck trade deals with two of Manila's regional partners, Vietnam and Indonesia, but had been driving tough bargains in talks even with close allies Washington needs to keep onside in its strategic rivalry with China. Asked about the discussions on the reciprocal tariffs on imports from the Philippines, which Trump raised to 20 percent from 17 percent, the US leader said, 'So far we're not there because he's negotiating too tough," adding Marcos is a "strong negotiator." 'We'll probably agree to something,' Trump added. The United States had a deficit of nearly $5 billion with the Philippines last year on bilateral goods trade of $23.5 billion. Trump this month raised the threatened "reciprocal" tariffs on Philippine imports to 20% from 17% threatened in April. Trump said the two countries did "a lot of business" with each other, saying he was surprised to see what he called "very big numbers" that would only grow under a trade agreement. Gregory Poling, a Southeast Asia expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Marcos might be able to do better than Vietnam, with its agreement of a 20% baseline tariff on its goods, and Indonesia at 19%. Trump underscored the importance of the U.S.-Philippine military relationship. "They're a very important nation militarily, and we've had some great drills lately," he said. Marcos, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, went to the Pentagon on Monday for talks with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and later met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During his trip, he will also meet U.S. business leaders investing in the Philippines. Philippine officials say Marcos will stress that Manila must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific. Philippine Assistant Foreign Secretary Raquel Solano said last week trade officials have been working with U.S. counterparts seeking to seal a "mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial" deal.—Reuters/GMA Integrated News
Canada News.Net
7 hours ago
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Hegseth halts Chinese involvement in military cloud services
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Microsoft announced July 18 it will no longer allow engineers based in China to provide technical assistance for U.S. military systems, following scrutiny from a U.S. senator and a newly ordered review by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth into Pentagon cloud contracts. The move comes after investigative outlet ProPublica reported that Chinese engineers were supporting U.S. military cloud computing systems under the supervision of U.S. "digital escorts"—subcontractors with security clearances but often lacking the expertise to evaluate cybersecurity risks. The report raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities and prompted swift action from lawmakers and the Pentagon. Microsoft, one of the largest technology contractors to the U.S. government, confirmed that the arrangement had been disclosed to federal authorities during its contract authorization process. Still, in response to the backlash, the company has now pledged to overhaul its procedures. "In response to concerns raised earlier this week, we've changed how we support U.S. government customers to ensure that no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance," Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw said on X (formerly Twitter). Earlier in the day, Senator Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and serves on the Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Hegseth demanding clarity about contractors using personnel from China. He also requested details about how digital escorts are trained to detect security breaches. "The U.S. government recognizes that China's cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States," Cotton wrote. He cited prior intrusions into critical infrastructure and telecom networks as justification for increased vigilance. "The U.S. military must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including those from subcontractors." Defense Secretary Hegseth responded swiftly, ordering a full two-week review of all Defense Department cloud service contracts to determine if any others involve China-based personnel. "I'm announcing that China will no longer have any involvement whatsoever in our cloud services, effective immediately," Hegseth said in a video posted online. "We will continue to monitor and counter all threats to our military infrastructure and online networks." The Pentagon has awarded billions in cloud computing contracts to major tech companies as part of its modernization strategy. Cybersecurity has been a growing concern after a series of high-profile hacks—some traced back to state-sponsored actors in China and Russia—targeted U.S. government and corporate systems, including Microsoft's own networks. While Microsoft maintains that proper disclosure protocols were followed, the company's use of Chinese engineers—even under supervision—has reignited debate over foreign access to sensitive military systems. The review launched by Hegseth will assess whether additional safeguards are necessary and whether similar practices have occurred with other vendors.
Malaysia Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
U.S. reviews military cloud deals after China-linked tech report
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Microsoft announced July 18 it will no longer allow engineers based in China to provide technical assistance for U.S. military systems, following scrutiny from a U.S. senator and a newly ordered review by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth into Pentagon cloud contracts. The move comes after investigative outlet ProPublica reported that Chinese engineers were supporting U.S. military cloud computing systems under the supervision of U.S. "digital escorts"—subcontractors with security clearances but often lacking the expertise to evaluate cybersecurity risks. The report raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities and prompted swift action from lawmakers and the Pentagon. Microsoft, one of the largest technology contractors to the U.S. government, confirmed that the arrangement had been disclosed to federal authorities during its contract authorization process. Still, in response to the backlash, the company has now pledged to overhaul its procedures. "In response to concerns raised earlier this week, we've changed how we support U.S. government customers to ensure that no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance," Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw said on X (formerly Twitter). Earlier in the day, Senator Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and serves on the Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Hegseth demanding clarity about contractors using personnel from China. He also requested details about how digital escorts are trained to detect security breaches. "The U.S. government recognizes that China's cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States," Cotton wrote. He cited prior intrusions into critical infrastructure and telecom networks as justification for increased vigilance. "The U.S. military must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including those from subcontractors." Defense Secretary Hegseth responded swiftly, ordering a full two-week review of all Defense Department cloud service contracts to determine if any others involve China-based personnel. "I'm announcing that China will no longer have any involvement whatsoever in our cloud services, effective immediately," Hegseth said in a video posted online. "We will continue to monitor and counter all threats to our military infrastructure and online networks." The Pentagon has awarded billions in cloud computing contracts to major tech companies as part of its modernization strategy. Cybersecurity has been a growing concern after a series of high-profile hacks—some traced back to state-sponsored actors in China and Russia—targeted U.S. government and corporate systems, including Microsoft's own networks. While Microsoft maintains that proper disclosure protocols were followed, the company's use of Chinese engineers—even under supervision—has reignited debate over foreign access to sensitive military systems. The review launched by Hegseth will assess whether additional safeguards are necessary and whether similar practices have occurred with other vendors.
ABC News
13 hours ago
- ABC News
Zdravko 'Zed' Bilic honoured at soccer match
Photo shows Ukraine Drone Strike: Screengrab shows a small drone hovering above a truck's trailer with a plume of smoke in the background. Has Video Duration: 1 minute 41 seconds . 1 m 41 s
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos: PH-US alliance contributes to stability in South China Sea, Indo-Pacific
'We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute. We're proud to support our mutual economic vitality, including your efforts to modernize your armed forces and collective defense,' US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Pentagon on Monday. Photo by Sandra Aguinaldo, GMA Integrated News President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has expressed belief that the Philippines' ties with the United States had contributed in preserving peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region. Marcos made the remark during his meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of his official visit to the United States. 'I believe that our alliance, the United States and the Philippines, had formed a great part in terms of preserving the peace, in terms of preserving the stability of the South China Sea. But I would even go as far as to say in the entire Indo-Pacific region,' Marcos said. Marcos also underscored the need for continued bilateral discussions amid rapidly shifting geopolitical dynamics. The Philippine leader appreciated the ongoing support of the US government through joint military exercises and the continued modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). 'That forms a very, very important part of that relationship. And again, it is a proper response considering the challenges that we face in the Philippines specifically vis-à-vis the changing geopolitical forces and the political developments around our part of the world,' Marcos said. Marcos also recalled Hegseth's visit to Manila in March of this year, describing it as an 'important symbol' of the enduring partnership between the two nations and a reaffirmation of their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty. 'We must continue to be in discussion. We must continue to evolve that relationship as the circumstances, the context in which we operate has evolved,' Marcos said. During his visit at the Pentagon, Marcos was accompanied by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Presidential Adviser for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, and Defense Undersecretary Salvador Melchor Mison Jr., who oversees acquisition and resource management. Marcos was accorded an enhanced honor cordon upon arrival at the Pentagon, which is a ceremonial welcome reserved for high-ranking foreign dignitaries and military leaders. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
