The new economic geography: Who profits in a post-American world? Adam S. Posen
Can Keir survive? Inside the plot to bring down the prime minister: With his government mired in scandal, an operation to dethrone Starmer is now under way. Guardian
Tuesday: American President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, begins his second state visit to Britain, hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
Starmer ‘in last-chance saloon’ as he pins hopes on Trump visit: Facing a backbench revolt, the prime minister is seeking to regain the initiative after the Mandelson fiasco prompted talk of a leadership challenge. The Times
The inside story of how Starmer has (so far) won over Trump: More than 20 Labour and Republican sources reveal how private outreach, public theatre and careful planning led to this week’s state visit. Telegraph
The US-UK relationship is about to become more explosive: MAGA’s bromance with Britain’s populist conservatives is fueled by a combustible mixture of love and hate. Adrian Wooldridge
UK plans biggest security operation since coronation for Trump’s state visit: NYT reports the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has intensified consideration about potential threats, experts said. British authorities had already made extensive security plans.
The Brits who beat Brexit: Gibraltar celebrates its return to Europe: Nearly a decade after Britain quit the EU, British residents of Gibraltar on the southern tip of Spain, will regain travel and commercial access under a treaty. WP
Why French politics can't cope without an absolute majority: While most European countries have learned to manage their fragmented parliaments, France has failed to adapt. The 'fait majoritaire,' the political dominance of a president backed by a parliamentary majority, has so deeply shaped politics since 1962 that lawmakers have been unable to envision governments built on a base of negotiation and compromise. Le Monde
How Emmanuel Macron’s France became Europe’s fiscal problem child: Dire finances reflect pandemic and energy crisis largesse but also president’s early tax cuts. FT
Sarkozy's son to run for mayor in scandal-plagued French Riviera town: Louis Sarkozy, the son of former president Nicolas Sarkozy, will run for mayor in Menton, where several investigations are open into the local administration. Le Monde
Far right set to make electoral gains in Germany’s most populous state: FT reports Alternative for Germany puts centre ground parties under pressure in North Rhine-Westphalia’s municipal poll, early projections show.
Saturday: 190th annual Oktoberfest, Bavarian beer festival and funfair, begins in Munich.
China outraged by Mexico's automotive tariffs: Le Monde reports the Mexican government announced plans to raise import taxes to 50% on 1,400 products – including automobiles – imported primarily from China, India, and South Korea. Beijing, viewing this as a pro-American maneuver, threatened retaliation.
China pushes for Trump visit as high-stakes trade talks begin: Fate of TikTok in US also sits at center of US-China negotiations in Madrid this week. WSJ
Wednesday: The deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok to non-Chinese buyers or have the app banned in the US arrives again -- unless Trump steps in with another extension.
Wednesday: China hosts the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, with military personnel and scholars expected to deliberate on regional security issues and cooperation.
Japan to investigate undersea-cable supply chains for China exposure: Nikkei reports move comes after US announces plan to ban Chinese equipment in maritime cables.
Japan sets record of nearly 100,000 people aged over 100: The BBC reports that Japan has set a new record for the 55th consecutive year, with the number of centenarians in Japan reaching 99,763 as of September, according to the health ministry. Of that total, women accounted for an overwhelming 88%.
In ageing Japan, warehouse work becomes a job for machines: Amazon makes promising advances but the pool of human truck drivers is shrinking dramatically. FT
War movie made by Vietnam's military a box office blockbuster: Film grosses more than twice Hollywood hits during period of 'peak patriotism.' Nikkei
Digital terror threats are rising in Southeast Asia: A lull in violence isn’t a sign of safety. Karishma Vaswani
Record-low Indian rupee risks further weakening if US trade tiff persists: Market goes out of favor with foreign investors as 50% 'reciprocal' tariffs take hold. Nikkei
India finds out how hard it is to build a finance hub from scratch: GIFT City has attracted global banks with tax breaks and modern infrastructure, but the vibrant community its planners promised remains far from reality. Bloomberg
Argentine President Milei calls his sister ‘the boss.’ Now she’s a liability. An election loss and bribery allegations have put a spotlight on Karina Milei and her influence on her older brother. WSJ
Straits Times: Romania summons Russian ambassador over drone ‘threat’
Russia made drone production a supreme priority. Now it swarms the skies. NYT reports Ukraine is struggling to defend itself against the growing number of attack drones that Moscow has started using in its onslaughts.
Boosted by summits in Alaska and China, Putin moves against Europe, Ukraine: Russia has been emboldened in its strategy of splitting the US from Europe while pushing ever harder to gain a military victory in Ukraine. WP
Trump, reluctant to pressure Putin and Netanyahu, risks sidelining himself: US president has leverage with both leaders, but analysts say he isn’t using it. WSJ
Trump’s reversals on immigration mount over economic concerns: Trump has walked back some significant immigration policies that collide with his economic agenda, angering his far-right allies. NYT
Trump concerned South Korean arrests could 'frighten' investors: AFP reports Trump on Sunday said foreign workers sent to the United States are "welcome" and he doesn't want to "frighten off" investors, 10 days after hundreds of South Koreans were arrested at a work site in Georgia.
US companies put brakes on hiring after Donald Trump’s tariffs hit: Industries most exposed to rising costs caused by trade wars launch wave of job cuts. FT
Inside Stephen Miller’s reign of terror: Everything you loathe or love about Donald Trump’s America, you hate or cherish about Miller’s republic of fear. Rolling Stone
In an era of deep polarization, unity is not Trump’s mission: President Trump does not subscribe to the traditional notion of being president for all Americans. NYT
The American dream is ending in a psychotic breakdown: A rising tide of political violence and the rejection of legal norms suggests the America of the Founding no longer exists. Janet Daley
The influencer FBI: The skill set required to succeed online may not always translate to effective law enforcement. Atlantic
Telegraph: Kash Patel takes victory lap for crime FBI did not solve
How Charlie Kirk’s social media machine rewired a generation’s politics: The 31-year-old activist and provocateur built a modern political organization for the social media age, through the arts of online discourse and discord. WP
Utah governor blames social media for fomenting US political violence: FT reports Spencer Cox said accused shooter of Charlie Kirk had been a ‘very normal young man’ who was radicalised online.
Fortune: Utah governor blasts ‘conflict entrepreneurs’ and tech giants that ‘hack our brains’ after Charlie Kirk assassination
AI-controlled drone swarms set to transform combat on battlefield: The latest iteration of flying robot warfare, unmanned weapons co-ordinate to overwhelm enemy defences. FT
AI's prophet of doom wants to shut it all down: Eliezer Yudkowsky has spent the past 20 years warning AI insiders of danger. Now, he’s making his case to the public. NYT
AI extremists are peddling science fiction: AI realism embraces humility and a basic truth: Technologies succeed when they improve lives. Aaron Ginn
The AI doomers are losing the argument: As AI advances and the incentives to release products grow, safety research on superintelligence is playing catch-up. Peter Guest
From Meta AI to ChatGPT: The dangerous game of ever-increasing AI personalization. While publicly pledging to design safe tools, Meta and OpenAI continue to give users the ability to steer their chatbots away from relative neutrality. Is this paradox sustainable in the long term? Nicolas Six
Wednesday: Meta Connect developer conference, where engineers, designers, and creatives will discuss AI and virtual, mixed, and augmented reality.
Fortune: AI engineers are being deployed as consultants and getting paid $900 per hour
Masayoshi Son is going big on OpenAI. Time to worry. SoftBank’s foray into generative AI brings back memories of WeWork. Shuli Ren
Is ChatGPT's fake empathy a threat to mental health? Do conversational artificial intelligences pose a dangerous risk of emotional addiction for vulnerable individuals, or even the general public? Le Monde spoke with addiction specialists. Le Monde
Fortune: AI chatbots are harming young people. Regulators are scrambling to keep up.
Are you experiencing posting ennui? Sharing casual moments from our lives on social media doesn’t seem to make sense the way it used to. New Yorker
Ralph Lauren’s vintage man of mystery: At 71, Doug Bihlmaier has become a style hero to fashion-savvy social media creators. NYT
Shakespeare family tragedy 'Hamnet' wins top Toronto film prize: AFP reports "Hamnet," a devastating period drama about the life of William Shakespeare and his family, won top prize Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Anime, cocktails, and a fan club: How the Dodgers cash in on Japan: Shohei Ohtani's team takes charge of its international outreach in MLB first. Nikkei
Schroeder seals Euro basketball title for world champions Germany: AFP reports NBA star Dennis Schroeder came good when it mattered most as Germany edged out Turkey 88-83 to win the EuroBasket title, two years after lifting the World Cup.
At World Cup 2026, the US risks a diplomatic own goal: From Uruguay to Qatar, hosts have long used the tournament for politics. Next year, the US may stand out for antagonism toward co-hosts Canada and Mexico. Jonathan Wilson
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Marc Ross Daily | April 29
Marc Ross Daily | April 29
Marc Ross Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for senior executives + comms pros.
Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry. I am here to help.
Always Be Communicating.
Happy Friday.
Here’s today’s Marc Ross Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Toronto Star: Liberals win
Globe + Mail: Liberals set to return to power
+ Carney leads party to remarkable turnaround only months after Conservatives were poised to win majority
Global News: Mark Carney’s Liberals projected to form government
+ CTV News predicts a Liberal minority government
Mark Carney wins full term as Canada’s prime minister on anti-Trump platform: NYT reports CBC/Radio Canada, the national broadcaster, projected a win for the Liberal Party in an extraordinary election that was dominated by President Trump’s threats to Canada’s sovereignty and its economy.
Mark Carney’s Liberals win pivotal Canadian election: FT reports the former Bank of England governor capitalises on anti-Trump sentiment to secure mandate for his party.
Mark Carney’s Liberals projected to win Canadian election: WSJ reports the former central banker vowed to counteract Trump’s threats to Canada’s economy and sovereignty.
In stunning comeback, Carney’s Liberals win Canada’s federal election: WP reports the result marked a reversal in fortunes for a party that was on track for a massive drubbing only months ago and capped a campaign upended by President Donald Trump.
Trump’s attempt to upend the global order has already been defeated: America has emerged from the trade war as an international laughing stock. Jeremy Warner
Donald Trump, beware – this is what a global liberal fightback looks like: From the Canadian elections to universities and civil society, the campaign to turn the tide against anti-liberal nationalists is at last underway. Timothy Garton Ash
Why Trump’s economic disruption will be hard to reverse: The president’s turnover of the economic order has unleashed changes that could prove lasting, because other countries will adjust. NYT
Trump and the abstract art of the unilateral deal: Donald Trump will mark his 100th day in office this week having upended the global trading system, provoked the specter of looming recessions for the US and world economies, and undermined the long-standing roles of the dollar and US Treasuries as safe havens. All these things are likely to cast a shadow over the next 100 days and beyond. Shawn Donnan
The spectre of dollar doomsday still looms: Whatever happens with Trump’s tariffs, investors need to prepare for a new market paradigm. Rana Foroohar
UK and EU to defy Trump with ‘free and open trade’ declaration: The draft UK-EU agreement is one of several being drawn up ahead of a May 19 summit. Politico
Trump trade war dominates BRICS meeting in Brazil: AFP reports the foreign ministers of Brazil, China, Russia and other BRICS members began two days of talks in Rio de Janeiro Monday aimed at forging a united front to US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies.
China says it can live without US farm and energy goods: FT reports top policymakers seek to reassure public that economy can withstand worst of trade war.
Trump’s China attacks are unleashing wave of nationalist support for Xi: Even critics of the Chinese leader want him to stand firm in the face of an unprecedented economic attack. Bloomberg
Bloomberg: US Treasury head Bessent: ‘It’s up to China to de-escalate’ in trade war
IBD: Port of Los Angeles warns 'difficult decisions' ahead as shipments from China cease
+ "Essentially all shipments out of China for major retailers and manufacturers have ceased," according to Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.
CNBC: Empty shelves, trucking layoffs lead to a summer recession in Apollo’s shocking trade fight timeline
Tariff to recession timeline:
+ April 2: Tariffs announced, containership departures from China to the US slowing
+ Early-to-mid May: Container ships to US ports come to a stop
+ Mid-to-late May: Trucking demand comes to a halt, leading to empty shelves and lower sales for companies
+ Late May to early June: Layoffs inthe trucking and retail industries
+ Summer 2025: recession
Source: Apollo Global Management
Trump to soften blow of automotive tariffs: WSJ reports that after negotiations, companies paying Trump’s car tariffs won’t also be charged for other levies.
Tariffs on Chinese-made machinery drive up costs for US manufacturers: The US economy depends on Chinese tools needed to make everything from cars to electronics in American factories. WP
IBM to invest $150bn in US manufacturing over next five years: The Times reports the computer business is latest example of a US technology group boosting its home investment since President Trump’s punitive global tariffs were unveiled.
Bloomberg: Nvidia, Eli Lilly among CEOs to tout US investments with Trump
Pirelli strips China’s Sinochem of control in attempt to avert exclusion by Trump in US: FT reports the board’s vote is only a first step to ending tyre company’s links with Chinese state-owned group.
Delta Air Lines is flying a new Airbus SE plane through Japan to skirt US import tariffs as President Donald Trump’s trade war threatens the flow of new jets to the the aviation industry.
The trouble with MAGA’s manufacturing dream: Donald Trump underestimates the difficulty of producing in America—and how his own policies will make it harder. Economist
Why Trump can’t build iPhones in the US: The administration wants the iPhone to be manufactured in America. The components that power it show why that is highly impractical. FT
Conclave to select new pope will begin May 7, Vatican announces: WP reports with 135 cardinals eligible to vote, the coming conclave is set to be the largest in the history of the Catholic Church and one of the most unpredictable in decades.
Picking a Pope: Inside the world’s most secretive election: Cardinals will be confined in the Sistine Chapel, after it is swept for surveillance devices. WSJ
Francis: The most important Argentine in history: Monarchs, heads of state, religious leaders, and the Catholic faithful will descend on the Vatican today in huge numbers as the world bids a final farewell to Pope Francis, the Flores-born kid who ascended to one of the powerful positions in the world. BAT
Telegraph: Spain declares state of emergency after major blackout
Euro News: Millions could still spend night in the dark as Spain and Portugal work to restore power
Massive power outage hits Spain and Portugal: WP reports a blackout of uncertain cause spread chaos across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond, bringing life to a standstill.
Spain, Portugal hit by sweeping blackout: WSJ reports transportation and cellphone systems suffered major disruptions, as Spain’s grid operator said it would take several hours to fully restore power.
5,000: The number of Africans living in Scotland in 2001.
Israeli spy chief to step down after clash with Netanyahu: NYT reports the departure of Israel’s domestic intelligence chief appeared to end his unusually public clash with the prime minister.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to repay Syria’s debts to World Bank: FT reports support is first funding from Riyadh as war-ravaged country seeks to rebuild its economy.
North Korea's diplomacy of 'survival': Le Monde reports despite severe United Nations sanctions and deep isolation, Pyongyang remains a significant player on the international geopolitical stage. Its leaders skillfully exploit global crises, supported by experienced diplomats.
ST: North Korea confirms troop deployment to Russia, hails ‘heroes’
The Russian military moves that have Europe on edge: Putin is expanding bases and preparing to move more troops to European border regions far from Ukraine; ‘we’re expecting some conflict with NATO.’ WSJ
Euro News: Kremlin announces Ukraine ceasefire to coincide with World War II 'Victory Day'
Russia has rejected a Ukraine war peace deal proposed by Donald Trump, the US president, because it does not grant international recognition to territory seized by Moscow’s troops.
Macron sets 10-day horizon to amplify Western pressure on Russia: Le Monde reports the French president added that he believed he had 'convinced the Americans of the possibility of an escalation of threats and potentially sanctions' against Moscow.
Europe fears Trump preparing to walk away from Ukraine talks: FT reports officials are worried US president will use minor progress in talks as ‘excuse’ to disengage.
How Ukraine could break the western alliance: The US and Europe have fundamentally different views on the threat from Russia and the protection of democracy. Gideon Rachman
Palau’s president vows to stand with Taiwan ‘til death do us part’: FT reports Surangel Whipps Jr warns Pacific nations must show economic gains to justify snubbing Beijing.
ST: China, Philippines trade barbs over disputed South China Sea reef
China, Philippines make rival claims in disputed South China Sea: WSJ reports both countries plant flags on a collection of sand bars, heightening a standoff between Beijing and Manila, a US ally.
Asia hand Kurt Campbell fears US-China miscalculation in Trump era: Ex-deputy secretary of state urges Japan to be 'intrepid,' take bigger regional role. Nikkei
Singapore’s billionaire class unsettled by moves to narrow wealth gap: The city-state’s popularity as a base for the super rich leaves the ruling party with a delicate balancing act. Bloomberg
ST: US in touch with India and Pakistan, urges both to work towards a ‘responsible solution’
India signs deal to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France: Le Monde reports the Indian defense ministry confirmed the purchase that had been in talks for years.
*** US Politics + Elections ***
You’re failing on the economy, Americans tell Trump in Times poll: President’s approval rating is dropping as only a tenth say they are better off in the 100 days since he took office. The Times
100 days of Donald Trump: US in a 'whirlwind': Republican Donald Trump has been US president for 100 days. Which of his promises has he kept? And what do Americans think about their country in transition? DW
Tracking the highs and lows of Trump’s first 100 days: Tariffs, trade wars, and executive orders. On today’s Big Take Podcast: Breaking down the breakneck speed of President Trump's first 100 days. Bloomberg
Trump’s cosplay cabinet: The president’s appointees often appear to be acting out a made-for-television version of their jobs rather than actually doing them. Ashley Parker
Constantly in motion, Trump’s cabinet portrays a White House that’s always winning: On social media, top officials stream an intimate window into their work that runs counter to the obstacles facing the White House agenda. WSJ
Trump’s ‘buoyant’ trade warrior flexes his power over global business: Howard Lutnick, the secretary of commerce, has become a go-to for major companies seeking relief from tariffs. But he’s not always friendly to their interests. NYT
Trump floats improbable income-tax cut tied to tariffs: WSJ reports the president suggests eliminating income taxes on most households, but the math doesn’t add up.
These GOP lawmakers could sink Trump’s ‘big beautiful’ tax bill: As Congress returns, small blocs of Republican dissidents on SALT, Medicaid, and other issues could thwart the GOP agenda. WSJ
Trump to sign order escalating battle with sanctuary cities: WSJ reports the action comes after setbacks in the president’s effort to target Democratic jurisdictions that don’t cooperate with immigration enforcement.
Trump pushes out AI experts hired by Biden: The shift, say the former officials, represents an enormous waste of federal resources, as agencies across the Trump Administration are looking to draw workers with the very experience they just let go. It also means agencies may have to increasingly rely on costlier outside companies for that expertise. The White House and the Office of Management and Budget did not respond to requests for comment. Time
American students turn to UK as Donald Trump takes aim at US universities: FT reports searches for British courses surge following US president’s assault on Ivy League institutions, data shows.
Trump enters new phase with focus on foreign policy, deregulation, midterms: WSJ reports the president is expected to shift his focus abroad as he works to negotiate trade deals and launch high-level discussions with China.
“We’re in a race with China”—DOT eases autonomous car rules: ARSTech reports domestic AVs can now get FMVSS exemptions for no rearview mirrors or steering wheels.
How Lindsey Graham is accommodating himself to Trump’s foreign policy: “Yeah, I think Europe’s gone woke, don’t y’all?” the one-time hawk asked a crowd back home in South Carolina. WP
In generational shift, Schatz joins race to be Senate’s No. 2 Democrat: The 52-year-old senator from Hawaii is officially running to become Senate whip after two decades of static leadership. WP
Pritzker thunders against ‘do nothing’ Democrats as he stokes 2028 talk: NYT reports in a fiery speech in New Hampshire, the Illinois governor railed against both President Trump and what he called the “simpering timidity” among some Democrats.
Kamala Harris will jab at President Trump in the keynote address at the Emerge gala on Wednesday, making her first public remarks since leaving office in January, a source told The Hill.
Elite universities join forces to resist Trump: WSJ reports the separate from the public dissent, a group of school leaders are strategizing behind the scenes about how to respond and push back against the White House.
The MAGA lobbyists upending Washington with McDonald’s and bear hunting: Washington’s hottest new lobbyist has no experience in Washington but a long friendship with Donald Trump Jr. WSJ
Trump-aligned club for the ultra rich launches in Washington: The launch of “Executive Branch” comes as Trump world looks to remake Washington. Politico
Mike Lindell’s lawyers used AI to write brief—judge finds nearly 30 mistakes: ARSTech reports Lindell brief has many defects including "cases that do not exist," judge says.
How Ezra Klein’s YouTube makeover points to podcasting’s TV future: Major news outlets, like The New York Times and The Atlantic, and ex-cable stars are finding audiences on YouTube. “It is television,” says Mediaite founder Dan Abrams. “Anyone who still thinks of YouTube as something for your phone or computer isn’t paying attention.” VF
The group chats that changed America Semafor
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton says world is not prepared for what's coming: Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, often called a "godfather of artificial intelligence," spoke with Brook Silva-Braga at the Toronto offices of Radical Ventures about the future of AI earlier this month — nearly two years after they first sat down to discuss the evolving technology. He shares some of his early takeaways about AI, which he says has evolved "even faster than [he] thought."CBS Mornings (Full Interview)
We now know how AI ‘thinks’—and it’s barely thinking at all: The vast ‘brains’ of artificial intelligence models can memorize endless lists of rules. That’s useful, but not how humans solve problems. Christopher Mims
In the age of AI, we must protect human creativity as a natural resource: As AI outputs flood the Internet, diverse human perspectives are our most valuable resource. Benj Edwards
Altman and Nadella, who ignited the modern AI boom together, are drifting apart: The OpenAI and Microsoft CEOs helped each other become power players in generative AI but are now preparing for independent futures. WSJ
Companies are struggling to drive a return on AI. It doesn’t have to be that way. Successful AI adoption begins with a targeted approach, and proceeds with careful orchestration and scaling across the organization. Steven Rosenbush
Meta’s ‘digital companions’ will talk sex with users—even children: Chatbots on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp are empowered to engage in ‘romantic role-play’ that can turn explicit. Some people inside the company are concerned. WSJ
OpenAI now lets users shop for products within ChatGPT, the latest move by the artificial intelligence startup to expand the reach of its popular chatbot and challenge rivals like Google.
Hugging Face is selling a programmable, 3D-printable robotic arm that can pick up and place objects and perform a few other basic chores.
Nscale, a startup that is less than a year old, is already trying to raise about $2.7 billion to build artificial intelligence infrastructure on the back of a pending partnership with ByteDance.
Bloomberg: Elon Musk’s XAI holdings is in discussions to raise $20 billion
DeepMind UK staff seek to unionise and challenge defence deals and Israel links: FT reports the move by employees at Google’s AI arm follows discontent after weapons and surveillance pledge is dropped.
These autistic people struggled to make sense of others. Then they found AI. For people living with autism, experiencing awkward or confusing social interactions can be a common occurrence. Autistic Translator claims to help some people make sense of their social mishaps. WP
Mastercard announced that it will give merchants the option to receive payments in stablecoins amid increasing global regulatory clarity on the digital assets that are usually pegged to fiat currencies.
Silicon Valley billionaires literally want the impossible: ARSTech chats with physicist and science journalist Adam Becker about his new book, More Everything Forever. ARSTech
Sweetgreen’s CEO on robots, ‘MAHA,’ and why salads are so expensive: Jonathan Neman set out to make fast food healthier, co-founding the salad chain in Washington. Now, what goes in our food is political. NYT
Amazon to launch first project Kuiper internet satellites: What to Know: The spacecraft are the online giant’s entry into beaming wireless service from space, but the company has much to do before it can compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. NYT
Amazon set for launch of Starlink-rival satellites: AFP reports after delaying an earlier attempt due to bad weather, Amazon is preparing to launch its first batch of Project Kuiper internet satellites on Monday, stepping into direct competition with Elon Musk's Starlink.
Japan News: Japanese automakers plan to use latest Chinese tech in their EVs
Free Press: Ford said it's made a breakthrough in battery tech to make cheaper EVs with longer range
A $20,000 electric truck with manual windows and no screens? Meet Slate Auto. Owners can buy kits to add accessories and features to the Slate Truck. ARSTech
Five years after he escaped in a crate, fugitive Carlos Ghosn is teaching business strategy: We visited Ghosn in Lebanon where he’s avoiding arrest warrants from Japan and France. WSJ
*** Culture ***
The man in the midnight-blue six-ply Italian-milled wool suit: A perfect suit, made by an expert tailor out of superlative fabric, would do nothing less than transform me. Gary Shteyngart
Trump’s blue suit at Pope’s funeral draws attention: President Trump’s choice stood out in a sea of world leaders and famous faces who were dressed in customary black. NYT
Free Press: The White Stripes headed to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; 22nd Detroit act to be inducted
*** Sport ***
TA: Shedeur Sanders, Deion taught a hard lesson in humility in QB’s NFL Draft slide
The NFL Draft’s big snub gets football’s worst job. Can he make a miracle happen? Shedeur Sanders is selected by the Cleveland Browns, a franchise with a long history of success-deprived quarterbacks. Does he have a shot to win the job and reverse the trend? Jason Gay
DC Commanders announce $3.7B deal to move team to RFK Stadium site: WP reports he development, anchored by a roofed, 65,000-seat stadium, will be funded primarily by the Commanders, who would put up $2.7 billion, while DC taxpayers would pay $500 million.
Whitehall officials ‘pushing for the Open to return to Trump-owned Turnberry’: Guardian reports that sources say bosses at R&A, which organises the annual golf tournament, were quizzed about 2028 event.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Marc Ross Daily | April 18
Marc Ross Daily | April 18
Marc Ross Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for senior executives + comms pros.
Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry. I am here to help.
Always Be Communicating.
Happy Friday.
Here’s today’s Marc Ross Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Straits Times: Japan’s early trade talks with the US offer countries few clues on the way forward
Donald Trump weighs in on Japan trade talks but Tokyo team leaves without deal: FT reports the first-in-queue negotiations closely watched for signs of US strategy.
Is the world losing faith in the almighty US dollar? Donald Trump’s trade war is forcing investors to confront the possibility that the dominance of the US currency might fade — or even end. FT
How a dollar crisis would unfold: If investors keep selling American assets, a grim fate awaits the world economy. Economist
How Mar-a-Lago memberships explain Trump’s tariff obsession: In the president’s eyes, tariffs might simply be the price other countries should pay for admission to a premium market. Bloomberg
Will Americans eat a $100 tariff on Shein packages? NYT reports the Trump administration’s plan to add steep fees to packages from China will deal a blow to Temu, Shein and some TikTok Shop sellers, worrying American consumers.
Shein and Temu reveal ‘price adjustments’ are coming soon for US customers: FC reports the Chinese e-retailers announced the increases, which are fallout from President Trump's aggressive tariffs on China.
How to swerve Donald Trump’s tariffs: Using cunning or flattery is a good start. Economist
The tariffs might be coming for Karoline Leavitt’s closet Danya Issawi
Tim Cook helps Apple out of tariff storm — for now: Apple’s CEO spoke to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week about the potential impact of the tariffs on iPhone prices. WP
Trump’s auto tariffs build on a long destructive history: It is US protectionism rather than trade barriers abroad that has undermined American carmakers. Alan Beattie
The ideological twist in Elon Musk’s tariff opposition: Politico reports that to flood the world with robotaxis and humanoid robots, Elon Musk needs open markets — and the kind of globalized trade Donald Trump’s tariff war is closing off.
The Trump administration took steps to impose levies on Chinese vessels docking at US ports, threatening to shake up global shipping routes and escalate the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.
Shake hands, not fists: Xi’s weapon in China’s trade war game plan: China is ahead on diplomatic points, but it is not entirely game over for the US. Tan Dawn Wei
Analysis: Trump tariffs ironically cast spotlight on Beijing-led free trade: The US trades places and now advocates for 1990s Chinese-style protectionism. Nikkei
Southeast Asia walks tightrope between China and US: Chinese President Xi Jinping is staging a charm offensive in the region while US President Donald Trump inflicts massive tariff pain. DW
American hubris is bringing us to the brink of Chinese drone supremacy: In a protracted trade war scenario, Beijing is more likely to lend its technological capabilities to the US’s adversaries. Samuel Ramani
US says Chinese firm is helping Houthis target American warships: FT reports a satellite company linked to People’s Liberation Army has supplied images to Iran-backed group in Yemen, say officials.
Trump’s new chip controls on China set to cost US companies billions: WP reports President Donald Trump is doubling down on a policy Joe Biden introduced aimed at slowing China’s AI development.
How DeepSeek, deep pockets, and data centers are giving Asia an AI edge Fortune
Malaysia aspires to provide the backbone of the global AI boom. Will the bet pay off? Fortune
Trump spurs doubts over Australia's $234bn nuclear submarine plan: Risks of reliance on US for security and AUKUS emerge amid election campaign. Nikkei
Reuters: Moscow plans to use seized US-owned company to feed Russian army, document shows
Bloomberg: Trump says US to sign Ukraine minerals deal next Thursday
Straits Times: Ukraine’s Zelensky says Trump envoy Witkoff ‘spreading Russian narratives’
WP: Macron pushes new format for Ukraine talks after meeting with Rubio
After US talks, is Europe back in the game on Ukraine? DW reports France heralded positive momentum after talks that brought together US, Ukraine and European officials in Paris. Further meetings could help Ukraine's European allies shape the course of peace negotiations with Russia.
'Incredulous' at Trump's trade war, the European Central Bank continues to lower interest rates: Le Monde reports interest rates were reduced from 2.5% to 2.25%, marking the seventh consecutive cut, following the meeting of the Frankfurt-based institution on Thursday. The ECB believes that the tariffs will be 'negative' for European growth.
Trump expresses optimism on EU trade deal: WSJ reports Italy’s Meloni, visiting White House, invites president to visit for trade meetings.
Bloomberg: EU weighs export restrictions on US if trade negotiations fail
Trump says he’s ‘100%’ sure of US-Europe trade deal as Italian PM visits: WP reports President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are ideological allies but have yet to reach a deal to lower trade barriers.
The Times: Trump takes up King’s invitation to visit the UK in September
+ The president said it was ‘an honour to be a friend’ to the royal family
+ The King suggested that it could be a more informal trip to either Balmoral Castle or Dumfries House in Scotland, during which they could discuss the finer points of a full state visit. The King wrote that this might coincide with one of Trump’s trips to his Turnberry golf course on the west coast of Scotland.
Three ideas to energise British tech: A vibe shift is needed to close the gap between the UK and Silicon Valley. John Thornhill
Google faces potential $6.6 billion UK antitrust lawsuit over search advertising: WSJ reports the collective action says Google abused its dominant position to exclude competitors from searches.
A depleted Hamas is so low on cash that it can’t pay its fighters: WSJ reports Israel has disrupted the Gaza militant group’s sources of cash and ability to distribute it.
US is withdrawing hundreds of troops from Syria: NYT reports the end of the Assad era has reduced some threats, but the Islamic State has shown renewed strength in the country.
Trips from Canada to the US plummeted by nearly a million in March compared to last year: Toronto Star reports travel from Canada into the US continued to crater in March as Canadians boycott US tourism and avoid trips out of fear.
Mark Carney’s Liberals hold slim but persistent lead over Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, polls suggest: Toronto Star reports heading into the Easter long weekend, Mark Carney's Liberals have a slim lead over Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.
After tensions with pope, Vance, a Catholic convert, to visit Vatican: WP reports the vice president’s trip comes as Vatican officials are alarmed by the Trump administration’s campaign against migrants and its cuts to foreign aid.
Searching for the Catholic Church’s centre of gravity: How has its influence changed over time? Economist
*** US Politics + Elections ***
US recession odds jump to 45%, according to this poll: FC reports economists polled by Reuters say the Trump administration's tariff policy will cause the US economy to significantly slow down in 2025.
Bloomberg: Beneath market’s uneasy calm, dread runs deep across Wall Street
Zillow projects that US home prices will fall -1.7% between March 2025 and March 2026.
America’s mad king: The president has grown more impulsive, more vindictive, and more anarchic. Peter Wehner
Meet MAGA’s favorite Communist: Conservative activists like Christopher Rufo are taking inspiration from Antonio Gramsci, the 20th-century Marxist thinker who drew up a battle plan for winning culture wars. WSJ
Supreme Court to hear arguments on Trump plan to end birthright citizenship: NYT reports the Trump administration had asked the justices to lift a nationwide pause on the policy as lower court challenges continue.
Trump has for months privately discussed firing Fed Chair Powell: WSJ reports the president hasn’t made a decision on whether to try to oust Powell, and some of his advisers have warned against the move.
Rubio shuts State Dept. foreign disinformation office, citing censorship: WP reports the secretary of state announced the bureau’s closure -- claiming it had been used to censor Americans -- in a live interview with conservative activist Michael Benz.
Musk’s fury over a Tesla investigation foreshadowed his war on Washington: The upcoming “Hubris Maximus” book details Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s disregard for the public and his contempt for regulators charged with overseeing his companies. WP
Elon Musk focuses donations on GOP lawmakers targeting judges: WP reports the off-year spending pattern reflects the billionaire’s increasing criticism of judges who rule against the Trump administration.
Reuters: Musk's SpaceX is frontrunner to build Trump's Golden Dome missile shield
AP: Nearly 90% of consumer financial protection bureau cut as as Trump’s government downsizing continues
Bloomberg: Trump administration takes over New York Penn Station revamp
Nearly 50 House Democrats say no to unauthorized AI in Trump administration: Reuters reports nearly 50 Democrats in the US House of Representatives signed onto the message, seen by Reuters, expressing concern about AI's use by the Department of Government Efficiency. Republican President Donald Trump set up DOGE and tasked billionaire Elon Musk to cut what they say is waste, fraud and abuse in the federal bureaucracy.
Democrats draw on renewed energy in the fight against Trump: NBC News reports Democratic base frustrated by “elites” early after Trump’s inauguration has been growing more active — raising money, turning out for protests and eager for the midterms.
Democrats step up Trump resistance as base hungers for more of a fight: NYT reports out of power in Congress, Democrats who were slow to fight back against President Trump are increasingly finding ways to do so. But activists want much more.
Harris will help Democrats raise cash as she steps back into politics: NYT reports still weighing her next moves, former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to headline a fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee next month in New York.
Trump and Vance fear universities for a reason: For liberal democracy to weather moments of crisis, institutions and individuals must stand firm. Ro Khanna
Google illegally monopolized some online advertising technology markets, according to a federal judge, whose ruling marked the latest antitrust setback for the company and a challenge to its main source of revenue.
Bloomberg: Roblox, Discord scrutinized by states over child safety issues
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
AI generates loads of carbon emissions. It’s starting to cut them, too: Shrinking the world’s carbon footprint will require poring over vast datasets to spot solutions — something computers do better and faster than humans. Bloomberg
WP: OpenAI gives itself leeway to “adjust” its safety requirements
OpenAI’s mind-boggling growth masks challenges: As it races towards 1bn users the AI company needs to explain what, exactly, ChatGPT is for. Richard Waters
Wikipedia is giving AI developers its data to fend off bot scrapers: The Verge reports data science platform Kaggle is hosting a Wikipedia dataset that’s specifically optimized for machine learning applications.
Chatbot Arena, an academic research project whose website has become a popular place for visitors to try out new artificial intelligence models, is turning into a company.
Google’s AI summaries have responded to some internet searches about abortion by echoing talking points from organizations that attempt to dissuade women from ending their pregnancies, according to a Campaign for Accountability report.
The AI starter pack trend is taking over LinkedIn and TikTok: FC reports OpenAI’s GPT-4o image generator is fueling a viral wave of personalized action figures. Not everyone is thrilled.
The chip industry has too many eggs in the AI basket: WSJ reports TSMC struck an upbeat note after posting strong earnings, but tariffs and the trade war loom large.
Uber is in talks to acquire Turkish food delivery platform Trendyol Go, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Tesla is scaling down its Cybertruck production goals and transferring some workers to other production lines, Business Insider reported. Cybertruck sales have slumped amid a slew of recalls and investor concerns over the future of the EV-maker. Tesla has recently incentivized Cybertruck purchases with perks and a cheaper model.
Netflix, unscathed by tariffs, posts record profit: WSJ reports the streamer forecasts stronger revenue growth in the second quarter.
Detroit think tank on city's future: 'We are at a turning point' Detroit News
*** Culture ***
Is Warfare the most realistic war film ever made? In Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s brutal and immersive new film, memory informs the events that take place in real time to a unit of soldiers in Iraq. The Guardian
Two vegan lovers, an AI ‘cult,’ and a trail of dead bodies: Max and Milo saw a future where meat-eaters enslaved all. They would do anything to stop it. NY Mag
Easter and Passover lesson: It’s never too late: Consider the story of the good thief in Luke, and the Jewish idea of teshuva, or returning to goodness. Peggy Noonan
WP: Fyre Festival 2 calls off Mexico plans but insists event is not dead
*** Sport ***
Justin Rose did not Lose the Masters: Rory McIlroy captures a milestone as his friend and golf rival sets an example of sportsmanship. Who isn’t rooting for the runner-up now? Jason Gay
MLB commissioner met with President Trump amid Pete Rose discourse: WP reports the specifics of their discussion were not immediately clear, but the meeting comes after Trump criticized MLB for keeping Rose ineligible for induction into the Hall of Fame.
They are the die-hard fans of Milan’s soccer teams — and mafia-linked: After two leaders of Inter Milan’s ultra group were killed, investigators concluded that the fan clubs of the Milan teams were run by the Italian mafia. WP
Did Joy Taylor play the game? The Fox Sports host has been blamed, alongside powerful men, for misogyny and quid pro quo at FS1. Does she deserve it? NY Mag
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal