Trump's VP Pick and Huawei's Shanghai Center | Bloomberg Technology
17 Jul 2024 (4 months ago)
J.D. Vance as Trump's Running Mate
- Former President Trump has chosen J.D. Vance as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
- Vance is known for his views on economic policy, government spending, and cryptocurrency.
- The Republican Party generally welcomes Vance's selection, though some conservatives disagree with his views on antitrust issues.
- Vance emphasizes focusing on China as the biggest threat to the United States rather than the conflict in Ukraine.
- Former Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman believes Vance's selection benefits the Democratic Party due to his views on women's issues.
Technology and Business News
- China's advancements in AI and technology raise bipartisan concerns, with both Democrats and Republicans acknowledging the need to address these issues.
- Antitrust issues with big tech companies, particularly regarding algorithmic manipulation and disinformation, are expected to be a significant focus after the election.
- J.D. Vance's background in venture capital and investing raises questions about his business acumen and role in the Trump administration.
- TikTok's new partnership with Eventbrite leads to a 19% increase in stock value despite regulatory risks.
- Magic Leap acquires a third activist investor, Starboard, who aims to push for a sale.
- Tinder, Match's largest app, experiences a decline in its paying customer base for six consecutive quarters.
- Microsoft faces a UK investigation into its hiring practices, particularly the recruitment of former employees from competitors.
- Huawei announces a new development center in China, investing $1.4 billion and housing 2000 personnel.
- Huawei's new flagship smartphone, the 70, raises questions about U.S. dependence on the technology used.
- Salesforce cuts 300 jobs as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and control costs.
- Amazon's two-day Prime Day summer sale shows a 13% increase in sales during the first six hours compared to last year.
- Momentum Commerce reports strong participation from various brands on Prime Day, expanding beyond consumer electronics and back-to-school offerings.
- Chinese players like AliExpress increase their presence in the e-commerce market, but Amazon maintains an advantage in logistics and distribution.
- Prime Day is expected to see significant growth this year, with 13% year-over-year growth from 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
- Peak shopping for Prime Day occurs between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Eastern, with an estimated 40 million to 50 million items sold.
- Consumers are expected to save $30 billion on Prime Day, with discounts appealing to different demographics.
J.D. Vance and Silicon Valley
- J.D. Vance's selection as Trump's vice presidential pick receives mixed reactions from Silicon Valley investors.
- Some venture capitalists view it positively, believing it will give the tech industry a voice and address concerns about big tech companies.
- Others express skepticism due to Vance's views on U.S. support for Ukraine and his alignment against big tech companies.
- Vance supports breaking up big tech companies and increasing oversight by the FTC.
- He is concerned about the predatory behavior of large firms with market power, especially regarding freedom of speech.
Nuclear Energy and AI
- Nuclear power is crucial for enterprise projects like AI, particularly considering its potential military applications.
- Recent public gains in nuclear energy indicate growing support for the sector.
- Former President Trump and President Biden have supported policies that make it easier to license and finance new reactors.
- Transmutex, backed by Cameron Porter, is developing a particle accelerator that addresses safety, waste, and proliferation concerns associated with nuclear energy.
- Bringing nuclear back in a meaningful way will require a decade-long investment, with several years for licensing and five years for construction.
- France's reliance on nuclear energy has allowed it to maintain stability during the energy crisis, while Germany's focus on wind and solar has led to grid volatility and disruptions.
- Policy changes are already underway, with bipartisan support for nuclear energy and incentives to promote investment in the sector.
- Northern Data Group, a high-performance computing solutions provider, expects revenue to triple due to the growing demand for AI.
- The company invests in cutting-edge hardware and software technologies, as well as sustainable data center environments powered by 100% carbon-free energy.
- Northern Data addresses allegations of financial misrepresentation made by former employees in a lawsuit, dismissing them as baseless and expressing confidence in the legal process.
- The company emphasizes its European roots and identity but recognizes the importance of expanding into the U.S. market.
- Northern Data's European operations provide unique advantages, such as data sovereignty and access to large amounts of electricity, which are crucial for its business.