Marc Ross Daily | March 26
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 Wednesday.
Here’s today’s Marc Ross Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Nations are imposing trade barriers at the quickest rate since the 1930s, when a flood of US tariffs spurred a wave of global protectionism.
Trade war explodes across world at pace not seen in decades: Proliferating tariffs engulfing US, China and their partners draw parallels to 1930s protectionist spiral. NYT
Canadians + Europeans are staying away from the US as relations sour under President Donald Trump. February saw 13% fewer Canadian air passengers to the US year-on-year, and many Europeans are likewise reconsidering US trips, Reuters reported.
Canadians are boycotting American vacations: WSJ reports infuriated by annexation talk, neighbors to the north are keeping their vacations local. That is bad news for popular US destinations.
Has the US become a hostile environment for tourists? Detentions and deportations have cast an unflattering spotlight on the way the US treats visitors. Chris Bryant
Bloomberg: Erdogan wins Trump praise as Turkish assets steady after rout
Europe talks tough on military spending, but unity is fracturing: NYT reports European leaders are struggling to find the money and the political will to replace the bulk of the US contribution to Ukraine and to their own defense.
Russia + Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea following talks with the US in Saudi Arabia.
US agrees to help Russia boost exports in Ukraine talks: WSJ reports the US also said it would restore Russia’s access to payments systems, after Moscow demanded the easing of sanctions in return for a cease-fire in the Black Sea.
Bloomberg: Trump says it’s possible Putin is dragging his feet on ceasefire
Trump needs ‘pathetic’ Europe for Black Sea truce: The US president cut the continent out of his Ukraine negotiations with Vladimir Putin. Now he wants it to end sanctions. The Telegraph
France and the UK test their renewed relationship on Ukraine and European defense: Le Monde reports Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer are gathering a 'coalition of the willing,' at the Elysée on Thursday, around 30 allied countries ready to help Kyiv.
Europe has a Meloni problem: Keeping Italian PM inside coalition of the willing could be tricky given Trump’s Ukraine policy. Telegraph
The global leaders rising in the polls as they battle Donald Trump: From Canada to Ukraine, populations rally behind leaders seeking to fend off the US president’s threats. FT
US intelligence report says Russia remains enduring threat: NYT reports on the day the report was released, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, told lawmakers that Moscow was a “formidable competitor.”
France unveils ‘incredible’ new high-speed TGV trains with double-decker dining car: CNN reports branded INOUI (a play on the French word “inouï,” meaning unprecedented or incredible), these will be the fifth generation of the country’s TGV intercity service that has been at the forefront of high-speed rail travel since their launch nearly 45 years ago.
Bloomberg: French tax authorities are using AI to clamp down on tax fraud
A Japanese court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church after the government criticised its recruitment practices, claiming it spread fear among followers.
Reuters: Secretive Chinese network tries to lure fired federal workers, research shows
The US missile system that is enraging China: WSJ reports the land-based Typhon system, capable of targeting key sites in mainland China, hands Trump an early test of his commitment to deterring Chinese aggression against American allies.
US adds export restrictions to more Chinese tech firms over security concerns: NYT reports the additions included companies that are customers of Intel and Nvidia, and one firm that was the focus of a New York Times investigation last year.
Trump takes tough new approach to choking off China’s access to US tech: WSJ reports the move is the clearest signal yet that the Trump administration intends to further limit what kind of American technology Chinese companies can buy.
Bloomberg: Trump weighs imposing copper import tariffs in weeks, not months
Bloomberg: Trump says he doesn’t want ‘too many’ exceptions in tariff push
+ Potential US tariffs on European-made products could hit revenue at luxury carmaker Lamborghini, its CEO said.
+ Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey has said that Donald Trump’s tariffs and Britain’s ageing population threaten the economy.
Italy’s Pirelli pushes Chinese owner to cut stake amid fears of Trump freeze-out: FT reports management will demand Sinochem reduce its stake in tyremaker at board meeting on Wednesday.
Europe arms for the tariff war: The US also has much to lose in a dumb-and-dumber trade brawl. WSJ - Editorial
The secondary ‘tariff man’ cometh: Using trade duties to extract favours will be a feature of Donald Trump’s bid to reshape the international order. Tej Parikh
India is on a hiring binge that Trump’s tariffs can’t stop: An abundance of motivated young professionals is luring American businesses to base their global operations in Indian cities. NYT
Greenlanders are angry and confused over unwanted US visit: WSJ reports Greenland says the coming visit is an act of aggression as President Trump doubles down on pressuring the self-governing Danish territory.
Vice president says he will travel to Greenland on Friday, joining his wife: WP reports leaders in Greenland had viewed the second lady’s trip as an escalation in President Donald Trump’s push for the United States to annex Greenland, and adding the vice president to the trip signals a more serious tone from the White House.
+ The Vances will now visit the US’s isolated military base in the far northwest of the Danish semi-autonomous island on Friday, where they will be briefed on Arctic security issues and meet with US service members. Stops in populated areas Nuuk and Sisimiut, where locals had warned of anti-US demonstrations, are now dropped.
Trump to name right-wing media critic ambassador to South Africa: NYT reports L. Brent Bozell III, who must be confirmed by the Senate, would be stepping into the role at a time when relations between South Africa and the United States are at a low point.
*** US Politics + Elections ***
Chat blunder shows pitfalls of Trump’s ad hoc approach to foreign policy: The administration has struggled to translate Trump’s promise of quick results into early wins. WSJ
Here are the attack plans that Trump’s advisers shared on Signal: The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief. The Atlantic
AP: In their own words: Trump officials shrugging off Signal leak once decried Clinton’s server
CBS News: As top Trump aides sent texts on Signal, flight data show a member of the group chat was in Russia
+ Trump gave a long interview to conservative TV network Newsmax last night in which he insisted the mega-leak to Atlantic boss Jeffrey Goldberg was “no problem,” stating again that no classified information was shared.
Trump goes after the messenger: The president is privately upset with the sloppiness of his advisers. Publicly, he’s focused on attacking the press. Jonathan Lemire
The Signal scandal needs an investigation. Where’s Pam Bondi now? Elie Honig
The amateurism of the Trump White House: ‘Signalgate’ will send shockwaves through the US security apparatus and foreign allies. FT - Editorial
The Signal leak is too big to sweep under the rug: Rather than admitting their colossal mistake, Trump administration officials are quickly falling back on their preferred tactics of denial and deflection. Nia-Malika Henderson
What Team Trump’s group chat error really revealed Freddy Gray
+ @peterbakernyt: The scheduling of a Musk meeting at the Pentagon is deemed classified information and leaks about it will be investigated.
But the scheduling of a secret military strike is not classified and its disclosure on an unsecured text chat has prompted no announced investigation.
A ‘signal’ for Trump to calm down? The intel snafu is leverage if a GOP Congress wants to start setting bounds. Holman W. Jenkins, Jr.
Everything is a group chat now, including war John Herrman
Trump gave Waltz a vote of confidence. It wasn’t as smooth behind the scenes. The fight over Waltz’s survival shows the administration is obsessed with reporters more than NatSac protocols. Politico
The reason Donald Trump will not fire Mike Waltz: The national security adviser can sleep sound as long doesn’t break commander-in-chief’s golden rule. Benedict Smith
Inside Pete Hegseth’s rocky first months at the Pentagon: The disclosure of battle plans on a chat app created a new predicament for the defense secretary. NYT
Hegseth faces renewed scrutiny after Signal chat disclosures: It is an uncomfortable episode for the new defense secretary, who has vowed to hold senior military leaders accountable for mistakes. WP
+ “I know exactly what I’m doing.” -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, talking to reporters while insisting “nobody texted any war plans.”
Corporate America’s euphoria over Trump’s ‘golden age’ is giving way to distress: CEOs and investors are fretting over what they see as whipsaw policy changes and complacency about the risks of recession. WSJ
Americans’ confidence in the US economy fell to a four-year low, new data released Tuesday showed, as they fret about higher costs stemming from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Trump plays recession roulette with the American economy: I thought the probability of a downturn was nearly zero. Now one is likely, and we may see stagflation. Alan Blinder
Lawsuits against the Trump administration keep coming: The two largest US teachers’ unions and a prominent civil-rights group sued the administration for moving to effectively abolish the Education Department.
The age of Don Jr.: How the ultimate failson became an edgelord whisperer and bona fide power player. NY Mag
Reuters: Trump's World Liberty Financial crypto venture says it will launch stablecoin
Reuters: FBI says it is probing 'increase in violent activity toward Tesla'
Trump’s plans to save TikTok may fail to keep it online, Democrats warn: The path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill.’ The Verge
Law firms refuse to represent Trump opponents in the wake of his attacks: NYT reports the president issued a new order Tuesday sanctioning yet another law firm, Jenner & Block. The result overall has been called an extraordinary threat to the constitutional rights of due process and legal representation, as well as a far weaker effort to challenge Trump’s actions in court than during his first term.
A Trump H-1B crackdown could hit Big Tech hard, with Amazon suffering most: US tech firms — Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple — were the top 10 employers of H-1B recipients in 2024. ROW
Colorado’s experiment with psychedelic mushrooms begins: Undark reports that though the fungi await FDA approval, the state has begun overseeing legal use of the drug in mental health treatment.
James Malone (D) has won an open Pennsylvania state Senate seat in a major upset in a district that comfortably voted for President Trump in November, The Hill reports.
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
Fintech Block laid off 931 people Tuesday, according to a leaked message from the company seen by TechCrunch.
Perplexity is in talks to raise new funding based on an $18 billion valuation.
Nvidia has snapped up 7 AI startups since 2021, with 4 of these in just the last year.
Korean chip startup FuriosaAI has turned down an $800 million takeover offer from Meta Platforms.
Alibaba said Tuesday it plans to resume hiring, emboldened by Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recent overtures to business leaders.
Reuters: DeepSeek narrows China-US AI gap to three months, 01.AI founder Lee Kai-fu says
Reuters: China's DeepSeek releases AI model upgrade, intensifies rivalry with OpenAI
Chinese AI start-ups overhaul business models after DeepSeek’s success: The country’s top groups are re-evaluating their strategies as they race to remain competitive. FT
Bloomberg: ChatGPT Can Now Edit Photos Better and Create Charts for Work
OpenAI is expanding the role of Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcamp, who will now lead the effort for corporate partnerships, as Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman shifts more of his focus to the technical side of the AI startup’s business.
Google is searching for an answer to ChatGPT: Big changes are underway for the internet’s most popular product, and Google (and the web) may never be the same. Bloomberg
OpenAI says its AI voice assistant is now better to chat with: TC reports OpenAI released updates Monday for Advanced Voice Mode, its AI voice feature that enables real-time conversations in ChatGPT, to make the AI assistant more personable and interrupt users less frequently.
OpenAI claims breakthrough in image creation for ChatGPT: WSJ reports the AI startup says it spent a year using human workers to train its GPT-4o model to generate more realistic images, comprehensible text.
AI-powered databases boost the Alzheimer’s drug discovery process: The Oxford Drug Discovery Institute is using artificial intelligence and ‘knowledge graphs’ to sift through vast amounts of biomedical data, potentially leading to faster treatments. WSJ
In Italy, 'Il Foglio' newspaper provocatively launches a supplement entirely made by AI: With no more human names or bylines, the Milanese daily is giving its readers a supplement of 20 articles written by ChatGPT Pro. Le Monde
How to tell when AI models infringe copyright: A recent court ruling uses the marketplace to define the boundaries of intellectual property. WP - Editorial
Kyle Vogt, former CEO of self-driving car company Cruise, has raised $150 million in a new funding round led by Greenoaks for his robotics startup The Bot Company, valuing the firm launched less than a year ago at $2 billion, sources told Reuters.
General Motors will use artificial intelligence chips and software from Nvidia to develop autonomous vehicle technology for its vehicles and improve workflow at its factories.
Reuters: Alphabet's Waymo aims for 2026 self-driving ride-hailing launch in Washington DC
Zeekr + Xpeng said they will start selling EVs with technology that allows drivers to drive hands free.
Reuters: Tesla's sales and market share in Europe drop again in February
Tesla’s Europe sales drop nearly 45% amid row over Musk’s Trump links: Guardian reports US carmaker’s European market share falls as Chinese rival BYD overtakes it on global revenue, topping $100bn.
Reuters: Chinese EV giant BYD's fourth-quarter profit leaps 73%
Lamborghini + Mercedes-Maybach plan to expand in India as a growing tribe of young, rich Indians splurge on super luxury cars, driving their sales to record levels.
Dollar Tree to sell Family Dollar business for $1 billion: WSJ reports a duo of private-equity firms is set to buy the discount chain.
YouTube sees record viewing, beats Disney in TV viewing share: TV Tech reports YouTube hit record share of monthly TV viewing in February and had the largest share of TV viewing by the major media companies, according to Nielsen’s February 2025 Media Distributor Gauge, which ranks media companies by the combined share of TV viewing their various networks and outlets achieve.
+ During February YouTube has 11.6% of TV viewing compared to 10% for Disney in Nielsen’s February Media Distributor Gauge
How much information is too much? Research explores how decision-makers’ confidence affects their search for data. CBR
*** Culture ***
When Axel Vervoordt does hotels...The interiors master rarely takes on hospitality. He made an exception for the Bayerischer Hof. FT
Forget sheep; now we count the ways to get quality sleep Mitch Albom
*** Sport ***
The elite skater who kept cracking under pressure—until she rewired her brain: Amber Glenn hasn’t lost an event all season–after finding a way to physically train herself for the stresses of competition. WSJ
Opening day is a week away—and the Dodgers are already dominating: WSJ reports with a pair of wins against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, baseball’s $400 million team sent an ominous warning to the rest of the sport.
Toronto Star: ‘I’d rather go to Russia’: Joe Rogan to skip next UFC event in Canada, says he doesn’t visit anymore
+ This isn’t the first time Rogan has skipped a Canadian UFC event in recent years.
Emi Martinez’s taunts, scuffles and crowd fury as Argentina humiliate Brazil: Telegraph reports defending World Cup champions silence fierce rivals in fiery qualifying encounter after Raphinha’s pre-match jibes return to haunt him.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Marc Ross Daily | March 25
Marc Ross Daily | March 25
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 Tuesday.
Here’s today’s Marc Ross Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Russia and the US both want to "Finlandize" the world: “Finlandization” is about weaker countries having to cede sovereignty to appease stronger bullies, such as Russia and, now, the US. Andreas Kluth
US and Russia begin ceasefire talks on Ukraine conflict: Le Monde reports US negotiators met with their Russian counterparts in Riyadh to hammer out details of a possible partial ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Russia fired a barrage of drones into Ukraine on Sunday night.
Hijacking news: Fake media sites sow Ukraine disinformation: AFP reports a fake news website falsely claimed that Ukraine's president is paying Western reporters to tarnish US President Donald Trump -- part of a series of deceptive reports spread by Russian-linked portals mimicking media outlets.
Turkish protesters rise up against Erdoğan: FT reports demonstrators warn arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the president’s main rival, risks transforming the country into an autocracy.
Turkey detains 1,100 people since Erdogan rival's arrest: AFP reports urkish police have detained more than 1,100 people, including journalists, since the arrest of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival sparked the country's worst unrest in years, a minister said on Monday.
President Erdogan jails his rival, and endangers Turkey’s democracy: Ekrem Imamoglu’s supporters have chosen him to run anyway. Economist
China is ready to blockade Taiwan. Here’s how. Beijing’s armed forces have bulked up and practiced isolating the island. WSJ
Donald Trump is helping Xi Jinping achieve his grand vision for China Charles Burton
China promises CEOs stability ahead of Trump's tariff moment of truth: Premier vows to counter 'unexpected shocks' in speech to Apple, Boeing, other execs. Nikkei
The US is not prepared to win an economic war against China-built containerships, farmers, ocean carriers warn CNBC
Indonesia has named billionaire investor Ray Dalio and economist Jeffrey Sachs as advisers to its new sovereign wealth fund Danantara, amid growing investor concerns over governance at a fund that is expected to manage state assets worth about $900bn.
Why driving in Singapore is like ‘wearing a Rolex’: The city-state, where it costs up to $84,000 just for the right to own a car, is one of the most expensive places to drive. That is by design. NYT
Bloomberg: Nvidia tapped by tycoon Masiyiwa to build first AI factory in Africa
The UAE has committed $1.4 trillion over the next decade to “substantially increase… existing investments” in artificial-intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing, according to a White House statement.
Critics of UK’s AI copyright proposal must not ‘resist change’, says minister: FT reports Peter Kyle promises government will ‘prioritise . . . forward movement’ over plans that have enraged creative industries.
UK comic book makers join forces as AI copycat battle awaits: FT reports trade association Comic Book UK to lobby for recognition over importance as export industry and value as IP developer.
New data show that the class divide in Britain may not be so wide: They make the country look better than America. Economist
WP: Paris votes on making 500 streets car-free, in test for green city policies
Brazil's Lula to build trade ties on Japan state visit: AFP reports Brazil's president starts a four-day state visit to Japan on Monday, accompanied by a 100-strong business delegation as US tariffs push the countries to nurture trade ties elsewhere.
WP: Second lady Usha Vance to visit Greenland as Trump continues threats
Greenland officials express fury over Trump’s plan to send delegation: NYT reports Usha Vance, the second lady, and Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, are on their way this week. Greenlandic officials called the move “aggressive.”
Usha Vance and Mike Waltz make ‘provocative’ visit to Greenland: The Times reports Mute Egede, the outgoing prime minister, has called the planned visit ‘very aggressive,’ objecting in particular to the presence of the national security adviser.
Greenland PM denounces US 'foreign interference' ahead of visit: AFP reports Greenland's prime minister, Mute Egede, accused Washington on Monday of interfering in its political affairs by sending a US delegation to the Danish territory, which is coveted by US President Donald Trump.
Trump’s moves on Greenland appear to be backfiring: NYT reports the Greenlandic government is calling an upcoming visit by Trump officials “aggressive,” pushing the island further from the United States.
Greenland’s lesson for Canada: An election won’t keep Donald Trump’s aggression at bay: The saga of Donald Trump’s Greenland obsession is tracing an all-too-familiar pattern: What seemed at first like a joke now looks like the early sketches of a sinister strategy. Toronto Star
WP: Canada’s Carney calls snap election as Trump looms over campaign
+ New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election for April 28, kickstarting a campaign that will be defined by US President Donald Trump.
G+M: April 16 and April 17 set as dates for federal leaders’ debates
+ The French and English-language debates will be held in Montreal
G+M: Environmental comeback of Great Lakes at risk with Canada and US in tariff turmoil
#GlobalGreatLakes
Trump’s economic and political threat to Mexico: The US would suffer from the blowback if it impoverished its southern neighbour. Gideon Rachman
FT: Trump to hit countries that buy Venezuelan oil with 25% tariff
+ Move could sharply increase levies on China and India as major purchasers of Caracas’s crude
White House narrows April 2 tariffs: WSJ reports tariffs on industrial sectors no longer expected to be unveiled on that date, though major trading partners will still be hit with reciprocal tariffs.
+ Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the US “External Revenue Service” to launch on April 2.
The wild Trump theory making the rounds on Wall Street: QAnon for tariffs. Rogé Karma
Potatoes, shrimp, and Teslas: Exporters vie to shape Trump’s tariffs: Makers of a vast array of American products are weighing the risks, and potential payoffs, of the sweeping tariffs President Trump promised on April 2. NYT
Trump might exempt some nations from reciprocal tariffs: Levies on foreign goods including lumber and pharmaceuticals could come after April 2, president says. WSJ
Carmakers rush to ship vehicles to US ahead of new round of April tariffs: FT reports vessels have been directed to Asia and Europe to carry ‘thousands’ more cars to America than usual.
Automakers seek clarity as reports suggest Detroit 3 may avoid big tariffs DFP
Toyota was bullish on Trump. Then came the tariff threats. Japanese automakers, initially optimistic about some of President Trump’s policies, are reckoning with potentially devastating tariffs on foreign-made cars. NYT
CNBC: South Korea’s Hyundai to announce $20 billion US investment
+ The investment is expected to be announced Monday at the White House by President Donald Trump, Hyundai Chairman Euisun Chung and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.
+ A new steel plant in Louisiana, which is part of the investment, is set to hire roughly 1,500 employees and will produce next-generation steel that will be used by Hyundai’s two US auto plants to manufacture electric vehicles.
Trump will make the US fall behind in the strategic battle of decarbonization: Instead of supplanting Chinese power, as he claims to be doing, Donald Trump is giving it an extra boost by favoring fossil fuels. Stéphane Lauer
He cut a secret deal that cemented US economic power — and he has a lesson for Donald Trump: A forgotten Nixon-era negotiation offers urgent lessons for our new age of economic warfare. Politico
The end of American exceptionalism goes way beyond Trump: It has been building, and is likely to be unravelling, for a long time. Ruchir Sharma
From Berlin to Tokyo, the fears of a new nuclear arms race: Washington extended an atomic umbrella over its allies. Now some feel it may be time to seek their own weapons. FT
*** US Politics + Elections ***
The Trump administration accidentally texted me its war plans: US national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling. Jeffrey Goldberg
+ "I had very strong doubts that this text group was real, because I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans. I also could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior US officials, up to and including the vice president."
Top Trump officials debated war plans on unclassified chat shared with journalist: Texts on Signal encrypted messaging service revealed disagreements about whether to strike Houthis in Yemen. WSJ
Trump officials shared military plans in unclassified chat with journalist: The Atlantic reported that its top editor was accidentally added to a group chat where the president’s national security team plotted attacking Yemen. WP
Trump officials discussed a secret plan to attack Yemen in a group text chat. NYT
Trump’s shocking military plan leak epitomizes a sloppy operation: The administration inadvertently shared plans for strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels ahead of time with a prominent journalist. It’s of a piece with all that came before it. WP
What the Trump war-plan chat reveals: Waltz and Hegseth backed the boss and US leadership. Not so Vance. WSJ - Editorial
If Pete Hegseth had any honor, he would resign David French
In Karoline Leavitt’s world, Trump’s word is enough: The White House press secretary is shaming some members of the Washington media and fielding softballs from others — all with a self-assured smile. WP
In his second term, Trump fuels a ‘machinery’ of misinformation: President Trump’s first four years in the White House were filled with falsehoods. Now he and those around him are using false claims to justify their policy changes. NYT
Utah’s Republican voters fume over DOGE cuts: Representatives in Trump-voting districts try to reassure constituents over Elon Musk’s unpopular federal job cuts. FT
‘Not how this works’: The GOP agenda is stuck amid House vs. Senate infighting: Politico reports to show quick progress, lawmakers will have to make a host of difficult decisions in the coming weeks.
Bernie Sanders on tour in Denver: 'We will not allow America to become an oligarchy': Le Monde reports the Vermont senator and leader of the progressive left wants to build a movement beyond the Democratic Party to encourage citizens to defend democracy.
Bernie Sanders is tapping into a deep vein of anger in America Megan K. Stack
In a sea of political change, Bernie Sanders keeps truckin’: An aging star playing to massive crowds of supporters in head-to-toe merch? It’s not the Grateful Dead, it’s the Fighting Oligarchy tour. NYT
Universities sprint from ‘we will not cower’ to appeasing Trump: WSJ reports with much of their funding at stake, schools are quietly hiring lobbyists and reaching out to politicians amid Washington’s quest to rein in academia.
Why ships are the new chips: The Trump administration wants to make America’s maritime capacity great again. Rana Foroohar
Why did the government declare war on my adorable tiny truck? Kei-class trucks and minivans from Japan are finding US buyers who want pickups that fit the urban environment. Some DMVs and safety regulators have other ideas. Bloomberg
Section 230 faces a bipartisan repeal effort. Experts say it’s a risky bet: A cross-party push to dismantle the cornerstone of internet law is underway, but some warn the fallout could hurt the very causes lawmakers support. FC
Emboldened by Trump, AI companies lobby for fewer rules: After the president made AI dominance a top priority, tech companies changed course from a meeker approach under the Biden administration. NYT
AI can be a force for deregulation: Washington can follow Ohio’s lead and use technology to remove outdated, conflicting, and redundant rules from the federal code. Jon Husted
Washington, DC’s cherry blossoms: For 2025, the NPS says the peak bloom will occur from Friday, March 28, to Monday, March 31.
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
How software engineers actually use AI: We surveyed 730 coders and developers about how (and how often) they use AI chatbots on the job. The results amazed and disturbed us. Wired
Bloomberg: UK AI startup Fyxer gets funds from Benioff, other tech bigwigs
Bloomberg: AI chip startup FuriosaAI rejects Meta’s $800 million offer
How to tell when AI models infringe copyright: A recent court ruling uses the marketplace to define the boundaries of intellectual property. WP - Editorial
An AI startup couldn’t beat Microsoft. So it joined them: An excerpt from AI Valley tells the story of why the staff at Inflection AI, which seemed to be thriving, defected en masse to Microsoft in 2024. Bloomberg
AI’s real revolution is just beginning: In the past month, everyone I spoke to has been talking about DeepSeek and Nvidia. Is Nvidia facing extinction? Have certain tech giants overspent on AI? Are we seeing a bubble about to burst, or just another public market overreaction? And what about traditional sectors, like industrials, that haven’t yet felt AI’s impact? Allen Lau
How to teach your employees to embrace (rather than fear) the growth of AI: Because AI isn’t going anywhere. FC
My date used AI to psychologically profile me. Is that OK? Large language models are unaware of the offline context that sensitive information might be employed in. Jemina Kelly
TikTok has a big ADHD problem: A new study warns that trending ADHD content on the app may be warping perceptions, promoting products, and missing the mark on actual science. FC
23andMe files for bankruptcy, as CEO Anne Wojcicki resigns: WSJ reports shares plummet after announcement, as Wojcicki says she aims to secure the assets of the popular DNA-testing company.
+ California’s attorney general has issued a privacy “consumer alert.” Unless you take action, there is a risk your genetic information could end up in someone else’s hands and used in ways you never considered.
Bayer ordered to pay $2 billion in latest Roundup weedkiller lawsuit: FC reports the law firms Arnold & Itkin LLP and Kline & Specter PC announced that the penalties awarded include $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages.
StubHub plans IPO in new test of Wall Street appetite for tech stocks: FT reports the online ticket vendor aims to raise $1bn at a value of $16.5bn.
Live music seems recession-proof. Thank the ticket scalpers: When demand softens, the secondary market absorbs the pain. Economist
BYD surpassed $100 billion in sales last year.
+ The firm exported more than 400,000 vehicles last year and is building factories in Europe and South America.
Could Tesla’s fall from grace upend the entire US EV market? The dominant EV maker in the nation is now a partisan lightning rod that’s losing value fast. But a weakened giant can cause harm regardless of politics. FC
Musk Inc is under serious threat: The world’s richest man has lost focus. His competitors are taking advantage. Economist
FT: Ari Emanuel cedes role as Endeavor chief after Silver Lake completes takeover
Would you pay $4,000 to solve your streaming movie problems? Kaleidescape’s hi-fi video platform has survived against all odds for more than two decades. FC
Saratoga Spring Water gets caught up in an influencer’s viral morning routine: A highly imitated and satirized workout video from TikTokker Ashton Hall was notable for the heavy presence of blue water bottles. FC
30: At least that many countries have outlawed all vaping products.
*** Culture ***
WP: Comics roast Conan O’Brien, torch Trump at Kennedy Center’s Twain Prize
How I became a fan of fashion in my fifties: After years of drab, unflattering clothes, Isabel Berwick opens up her eyes — and wardrobe — to style. FT
*** Sport ***
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. played tennis with Novak Djokovic.
Christian Horner has thrown Liam Lawson to the slaughter: Red Bull must shoulder blame after choosing to promote New Zealander from junior squad after just 11 grand prix appearances in two seasons. Luke Slater
TA: Wisconsin defeats Ohio State to win NCAA women’s hockey national championship
RIP: George Foreman
Vingegaard reveals concussion from Paris-Nice fall: AFP reports Denmark's two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard revealed Monday that he suffered from a lengthy concussion after crashing during the Paris-Nice on March 13, leaving him feeling tired and nauseous for days afterwards.
Australia rewrites plan to host 2032 Brisbane Games: AFP reports Australia said Monday it is overhauling its multi-billion-dollar plans for hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane after years of "chaos and crisis."
Why are African teams playing football against Russia? Since being banned from competitive football after invading Ukraine, Russia have largely faced sympathetic countries in friendlies. Increasingly, African sides are answering the call. Why is that? DW
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Marc Ross Daily | March 13
Marc Ross Daily | March 13
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.
Marc Ross Daily will be on hiatus starting Monday, March 17, and will return on Monday, March 24.
Happy Thursday.
Here’s today’s Marc Ross Daily:
*** Ross Rant ***
Trump's trade war: America's self-inflicted economic madness
The mounting economic casualties from Trump's misguided trade war reveal an administration desperately clinging to an outdated vision of global commerce. As Canada and the European Union respond with retaliatory tariffs, the foolishness of instigating conflict with our closest allies shows no signs of stopping; where is the off-ramp?
The Trump administration's proposed tariffs target over $150 billion in imported consumer goods and raw materials like steel and aluminum, affecting products from baseball bats to caskets. This comes as major retailers like Kohl's report weak sales forecasts, joining other companies warning of declining household spending. Persil-owner Henkel notes that US policies are negatively impacting the North American market.
Meanwhile, the airline industry faces challenges as United Airlines and American Airlines warn of dropping domestic travel demand, and small business sentiment has deteriorated despite initial post-election optimism. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its small-business optimism index fell 2.1 points in February to 100.7, while the uncertainty index jumped to 104, its second-highest reading since tracking began in 1986.
The tragedy of Trump's trade war extends beyond immediate economic harm.
America's historical role as a champion of rules-based international trade has provided substantial diplomatic advantages. Nations have traditionally looked to the United States for leadership in creating frameworks for mutual prosperity, a position of influence that erodes with each passing day of needless trade conflict.
Most concerning, the Trump administration appears wedded to an antiquated vision of the American economy. While competitors invest heavily in automation, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, Trump's economic policies - this is speculation since the president has never laid one out - focus on rebuilding the economy of the 1950s instead of building the economy of the 2050s. This backward-looking stance threatens America's future competitiveness.
Civic and business leaders must engage the Trump administration and pressure it to recommit to the principles that built American prosperity: championing open markets, fostering innovation, and leading by example.
When approached as a positive-sum game, trade creates mutual benefits rather than a zero-sum battle.
Ending this self-destructive trade war would signal renewed American leadership. Our economic vitality comes from participation, not isolation—not from breaking trade relationships but from strengthening them. The sooner the Trump administration recognizes this economic reality and abandons feel-good campaign rhetoric, the sooner America can reclaim its role as the world's premier economic power.
The wheels haven't just come off Trump's trade war wagon; they've rolled straight into the ditch of economic and political reality. For America's sake and the sake of the Western world, it is time for the Trump administration to ride a modern vehicle better suited for the road ahead.
For America's continued prosperity and global standing, we must have commonsense trade policies that address future opportunities while ensuring American soft-power leadership.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
An unexpected Trump bump for the world’s centrists: As President Trump’s “shock and awe” policies radiate around the world, they are galvanizing support for moderate leaders and unifying Europe. NYT
Power, money, territory: How Trump shook the world in 50 days: The system America took 80 years to assemble proved surprisingly fragile in the face of Trump’s assault, a revolution in how the country exercises power across the globe. NYT
Trump’s economic messaging is spooking some of his own advisers: President’s team receives flood of calls from business executives concerned about mixed messaging on tariffs. WSJ
Trump’s erratic policy is harming the reputation of American assets: Like the stockmarket, the dollar is also suffering from falling confidence and rising confusion. Economist
How do you like the trade war now? Trump is furious that Canada won’t take his tariffs lying down. WSJ - Editorial
+ "We said from the beginning that this North American trade war is the dumbest in history, and we were being kind."
Is Trump throwing it away? His tariff circus undermines US standing just when it would be most useful. Holman W. Jenkins, Jr.
Toronto Star: CANADA STRIKES BACK
Toronto Star: Mark Carney says he’ll meet Donald Trump on trade when there’s ‘respect for Canadian sovereignty’
Even Americans don’t want Canada as 51st state amid Trump’s annexation threats, new poll finds: A mere six per cent of Americans say that the US should annex Canada “using political and economic pressure," a new poll found. Toronto Star
+ @CPAC_TV: "The excuse for those tariffs shifts every day. The only constant in this unjustified and unjustifiable trade war seems to be President Trump's talks of annexing our country through economic coercion," says Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on ongoing Canada-US trade war.
+ @abcnews: #BREAKING: Australia will not be granted an exemption from US tariffs on aluminium and steel imports, the White House says.
Bourbon and scotch makers find a common enemy in tariffs: Weaponized trade is rattling the global whiskey business. Bloomberg
European Union plans to hit back against the 25% US tariffs on imports of the metals, the official - who asked not to be identified - said Britain would continue to engage with the US in an attempt to secure an exemption.
EU, Canada retaliate against Trump’s tariffs as trade war escalates: WP reports as President Donald Trump’s global steel and aluminum tariffs took effect, the European Union announced tariffs on US exports and warned of further retaliation.
Reuters: UK will not respond to US steel tariffs, British official says
Back peace or I’ll ruin you, Trump tells Putin: The Times reports Europe hopes a pause in the fighting could come as soon as Thursday after Ukraine agreed to a truce plan in Jeddah.
US-backed cease-fire offer poses dilemma for Putin: NYT reports Russia’s leader recently rejected the idea of an interim truce in Ukraine. But he wants to maintain his relationship with President Trump.
Europe thinks the unthinkable on a nuclear bomb: Poland wants co-operation with France on a nuclear deterrent. That could take many forms. Economist
The UK questions its nuclear deterrent, which depends on the US: Le Monde reports although unthinkable just a few weeks ago, a debate is now taking shape on the possibility of calling into question the long-standing partnership with the United States and its implications.
The Russian threat to Britain spans every field Telegraph - Editorial
Was the North Sea collision an accident — or an act of sabotage? Marine accident investigators will be examining everything from the crews’ schedule to whether attempts were made to change course. The Times
Friedrich Merz, German chancellor before his time: Le Monde reports even though negotiations to form a coalition have not yet begun, the head of the Christian Democratic Union party, which came out on top in Germany's February 23 elections, has already embarked on major projects in his country and abroad.
Germany ‘buried’ spy report that COVID started in Wuhan lab: The Times reports Chancellors Merkel and Scholz are said to have kept secret an explosive intelligence assessment of how the pandemic began.
Reuters: If Europe builds the gigafactories, will an AI industry come?
+ The plan for the large public access data centres, unveiled by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month, will face challenges ranging from obtaining chips to finding suitable sites and electricity.
Spain to impose massive fines for not labelling AI-generated content: Reuters reports Spain's government approved a bill on Tuesday imposing massive fines on companies that use content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) without properly labelling it as such, in a bid to curb the use of so-called "deepfakes."
AI should replace some work of civil servants, Starmer to announce: Guardian reports the new digital ‘mantra’ prompts unions to warn PM to stop blaming problems on Whitehall officials.
TST: Singapore, Vietnam to deepen ties across the board with wide-ranging pact
Indian government proposes AI oversight board and mandates bureaucrat training: The board is charged in evaluating and approving and reviewing AI applications utilized across the government, making sure they are in line with ethical and legal standards.
China is mapping the seabed to unlock new edge in warfare: Beijing’s exploration of distant waters brings security fears and complaints. WSJ
The railway that China hopes will take on the US in Africa: Tazara project showcases Beijing’s leaner approach to overseas development just as western aid appears to retreat. FT
+ @Dimi: @BrendanCarrFCC is creating a new national security council to counter China technology threats
Trump’s ‘reverse Nixon’ charade insults our intelligence: The US president’s crude goal is to separate Russia from China – sacrificing Ukraine as a pawn. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
G+M: Mark Carney to be sworn in as prime minister on Friday, source says
The US has covertly destabilized nations. With Canada, it's being done in public: Intelligence experts say young, economically vulnerable people would be likely target. Evan Dyer
+ A former CISIS director says US covert operations on Canadian soil would likely offer the country little return in exchange for a great deal of risk. And Donald Trump is typically his own messenger, preferring the megaphone to the coded message.
Greenland’s election winners push back against Trump’s wish to take control of the island: AP reports a party that favors a gradual path to Greenland’s independence from Denmark won a surprise victory in parliamentary elections, held in the shadow of US President Donald Trump’s stated goal of taking control of the island.
*** US Politics + Elections ***
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) threw a wrench into a Republican plan to avert a government shutdown this weekend, saying there wasn’t enough Democratic support to advance the measure funding federal agencies through Sept. 30.
+ Senate Democrats balk at funding extension, raising the risk of a shutdown
Senate Democrats say they will reject GOP's funding bill as shutdown draws near: NBC News reports after meeting with his conference, the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said "Republicans do not have the votes" to advance the House-approved measure.
+ Democrats seek bill to keep government open through April 11.
The whiplash presidency: The president and his aides are changing their minds at nauseating speed. David A. Graham
The cost of eggs in the US jumped 10.4% last month, the Consumer Price Index shows. Eggs are nearly 60% more expensive than a year ago.
Opinion of Trump's handling of economy: CNN poll conducted by SSRS - March 6-9:
Approve Disapprove
Now 44% 56%
March '20 54% 42%
March '19 51% 42%
March '18 48% 45%
March '17 55% 41%
+ The probability of a US recession taking place this year stands at around 40%, according to Bruce Kasman, JP Morgan’s chief global economist.
CEOs don’t plan to openly question Trump. Ask again if the market crashes 20%. Behind closed doors, business leaders air plenty of concerns about the administration and its policies. WSJ
Donald Trump bought a $90,000 Tesla with 37 recall notices against it: Wired reports, here’s hoping Elon Musk won’t have to personally fix President Trump’s new EV anytime soon.
Elon Musk’s self-destruction: The cost for Donald Trump of keeping the world’s richest man by his side is growing. Edward Luce
Donald Trump Jr: Championing the MAGA economy : ESG and DEI are out as the US president’s son makes lucrative investments that align with his father’s vision of America. FT
Bloomberg: Trump’s FTC moves ahead with broad Microsoft antitrust probe
Stuck NASA astronauts prepare to return after nine months in space: WP reports the scheduled SpaceX Dragon launch Wednesday would set in motion plans for the return of Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore from the International Space Station.
Wind and solar overtake coal power for first time in US: WSJ reports the two renewable energy sources accounted for 17% of the country’s power mix while coal fell to a low of 15%. Natural gas remains by far the largest source of electricity, accounting for 43%.
NH-SEN: Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) will not seek re-election in 2026.
Gavin Newsom finds some surprising common ground with Steve Bannon: The California governor hosted one of the architects of President Trump’s political movement on his new podcast, and their friendly sparring revealed a few points of agreement. NYT
Rahm Emanuel is gearing up to run for president: The former Chicago mayor is already on the hustings, finding new ways to attack Trumpism from the center. Jonathan Martin
+ Ross Rant: Rahm Emanuel 2028. Book it.
Politico: Bannon refuses to rule out presidential run in 2028
HR Drive: California senator introduces ‘No Robo Bosses Act’ in bid to regulate AI at work
+ States will likely take the lead on AI regulation “for the foreseeable future”
+ CA State Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, announced his introduction of SB7, otherwise known as the “No Robo Bosses Act,” on March 6 to require human oversight of artificial intelligence in the workplace
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
When AI gets a board seat: Lab experiments show that AI can outperform humans, but outside of the lab, when making decisions, executives face shifting challenges, often with insufficient or inaccurate data. A team of BCG consultants wanted to understand: What happens if they take AI out of the lab into a real company? Over the past year they joined a series of executive team meetings at Giesswein, an $85 million revenue company based in Austria, that sells organic, eco-friendly wool sneakers. The idea was to experiment with different ways of integrating AI into their executive meetings to understand what works and how. HBR
+ @tomfgoodwin: The people who think AI is most amazing are the sort of people that think "word clouds" offer insight.
1trn yuan: The size of the venture-capital fund that China’s government wants to set up for tech-focused investment.
Everyone in AI is talking about Manus. We put it to the test. The new general AI agent from China had some system crashes and server overload—but it’s highly intuitive and shows real promise for the future of AI helpers. MIT TR
Reuters: DeepSeek AI cranks open the spigots on Chinese venture capital
+ “People are rushing just to find the next DeepSeek,” said Annabelle Yu Long, founding and managing partner of BAI Capital in Beijing.
Reuters: OpenAI launches new developer tools as Chinese AI startups gain ground
Google DeepMind unveils new AI models in race to make robots useful: FT reports company claims ‘leap forward’ with new technology that helps machines adapt to complex environments.
WTF is ‘shadow AI,’ and why should publishers care? Digiday
Bloomberg: Starbucks to add seating, power outlets to attract customers
Paris's La Défense business district is (still) trying to work out its future: Owners of these big office skyscrapers are worried about the fate of this key European business district at a time of decline in commercial real estate and global warming. Le Monde
Elon Musk’s antics are not the only problem for Tesla: The carmaker’s sales are sinking for other reasons too. Economist
*** Culture ***
This Michelin-recommended Mexican spot in Toronto is closing. The chef opens up about the mental health toll of running a high profile restaurant: Chef Iván Castro is closing his vegan Mexican restaurant in Little Italy after five years. TS
The true story behind Paramount’s Landman: This explosive new series is Paramount's most successful original series debut. Country + Townhouse
People: Lisa Vanderpump and Caesars Entertainment to Open The Vanderpump Hotel on Las Vegas Strip in 2026
*** Sport ***
Can Formula One ever be sustainable? The motor sport famed for its fast cars, glamorous lifestyle and Champagne finishes is trying to halve its emissions by 2030. WSJ
Eminem has joined an effort to bring a WNBA expansion team to Detroit.
30 hours in a hurricane, on a race with no course: Why would hundreds of people trek overnight through the wilderness with nothing but a compass? Because it’s the best feeling in the world. NYT
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal