US COMMERCE DEPARTMENT
When wars and AI cast a shadow, India has pressed a power reset
India’s renewable energy expansion is reshaping its energy security, cutting dependence on imported coal and natural gas as wars, oil supply disruptions and AI-driven electricity demand put pressure on power markets. An International Energy Agency report says clean energy saved India over $100 billion in fuel imports between 2011 and 2025, with cumulative savings potentially reaching $240 billion by 2030.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's secret affair: Why did US intelligence suspect Alice Huang of spying for China?
Alice Huang, a Chinese entrepreneur, is under scrutiny for alleged connections to the Ministry of State Security in China. US intelligence suspects she could have obtained confidential insights about Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, raising questions about her impact on Nvidia's chip sales. As a precaution, Nvidia's board has begun evaluating its relationship with Huang and her enterprise amidst growing concerns over China's tech ambitions.
Meet Dakota Meyer: Medal of Honor hero tapped by Pete Hegseth to fix Pentagon barracks' crisis as US troops sleep in cars, face no hot showers
Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer has been tapped by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to lead efforts to improve military barracks after reports of troops sleeping in cars and facing poor living conditions, including mouldy rooms, broken air conditioning and a lack of hot water and showers. Dakota Meyer served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010.
Tech billionaires in Democrats’ crosshairs: Who could face congressional probes? Here’s the hit list
Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and other tech leaders could face congressional investigations as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in 2027. Their scrutiny could focus on ties to Donald Trump, political influence, AI development, data center expansion and the industry's impact on American jobs and communities.
Audi may boost size of new US auto plant by $3 billion, add 3,000 jobs
Audi's plans to construct a $4 billion assembly plant in Macon, Georgia, are underway, aiming to produce 200,000 SUVs each year. This venture is projected to generate approximately 4,500 jobs for the community. Supported by generous state incentives and a request for US tariff relief, construction could kick off in the early 2030s, paving the way for future expansions.
US airlines may face fresh scrutiny as Democrats plan probes into pricing and passenger rights
Following a significant midterm election victory, Democrats intend to scrutinize airlines regarding personalized pricing practices and passenger protection rules. The Federal Trade Commission has requested information from major airlines about the influence of personal data on pricing. Congress plans to revive protections that were previously withdrawn, including compensation for travel disruptions. Legislators are also exploring requirements for transparency in ticket pricing and additional passenger rights.
- Go To Page 1
US Midterm Elections 2026: From Ami Bera to Pia Dandiya, Meet Indian-Americans who won amid Democratic blue sweep
The 2026 US Midterm Elections marked a transformational shift within Congress, as the Democrats regained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. A wave of Indian-American candidates, including Ami Bera and Pramila Jayapal, celebrated remarkable victories at congressional and state levels, championing critical issues like immigration reform.
Hong Kong stocks jump 3%, China shares edge higher as tech stocks rally
Hong Kong stocks rallied sharply, led by technology and gold shares, as investors welcomed the US midterm election outcome. Alibaba and Tencent drove gains, while mainland Chinese equities advanced modestly. Energy stocks tumbled as crude oil prices plunged on hopes of easing geopolitical tensions.
Chinese genetic firm Novogene sues US over military designation
Chinese genetic sequencing firm Novogene has initiated legal action against the Pentagon over its military designation. Novogene was added to a list of companies alleged to be supporting Beijing's military as of June. This designation prohibits the Defense Department from directly contracting with these firms, including Alibaba and Baidu. Other Chinese companies have also pursued legal recourse against the Pentagon regarding similar designations.
US trade deficit contracts slightly in September
In September, the US trade deficit decreased by 0.6 percent, driven by capital goods imports and strong exports. Imports rose by 1.2 percent to $426.6 billion, primarily fueled by computers and accessories. Additionally, crude oil imports saw a reduction of $1.3 billion during this period. On the other hand, exports climbed by 1.8 percent, reaching $321.5 billion due to oil, food, and capital goods.
SK Hynix's New York chip plans hit snag over US restrictions on China, sources say
SK Hynix is seeking US export licenses to equip its Dalian plant, arguing that increased production there would help fund its planned US expansion. But the Commerce Department has yet to approve the new licenses, the people said. Its Solidigm unit plans to invest about $45 billion and build two NAND plants in Marcy, New York, two people said, with investment potentially reaching about $100 billion over time. NAND is memory that retains data even when power is turned off and is used for storage in data centers.
US Midterm Early Election Results 2026: Senate battle gets intense, Democrats flip key North Carolina seat, retain Georgia
Democrats achieved a significant victory by flipping a Senate seat in North Carolina during the midterm elections. The results indicate a potential shift in power in Congress as Democrats target more Republican-held seats. Voter dissatisfaction with the economy and government issues is evident, impacting turnout rates for both parties. Significant elections in various states signify the urgency of control over Congress.
SK Hynix's New York chip plans hit snag over US restrictions on China, sources say
SK Hynix is awaiting approval from US officials for equipment necessary for expanding production in China. The company aims to increase its Dalian plant's output to support its US expansion plans. Meetings between SK Hynix's subsidiary, Solidigm, and the Commerce Department have been ongoing in search of approval. Solidigm is also exploring potential locations worldwide for a new NAND memory facility.
US Midterm Elections 2026: Could the SMARTER Act change how Indians get US Green Cards?
With the upcoming midterm elections, a new immigration proposal in Congress could reshape the future of green cards and family sponsorship, especially for Indian professionals. The SMARTER Act aims to introduce a points-based system, eliminate country-based visa limits, and restrict family immigration to closer relatives, but its success hinges on the election outcomes.
Dubai in Transit: The megalopolis is trying to shake off nightmarish war months, but caution remains in the air
Dubai is struggling to regain business momentum eight months after Iranian missile strikes disrupted tourism, real estate and other sectors. While tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy have recovered from their March lows, the recovery has stalled amid renewed regional tensions.
G20 foreign ministers end Atlanta meeting without consensus on key issue, group photo cancelled
Top diplomats from the G20 met in Atlanta, but they could not agree on important global security issues. Tensions, particularly regarding Russia's war in Ukraine, overshadowed the talks and affected the outcomes. The meeting concluded without a joint communique, only a chairman's statement summarizing their discussions. Despite the lack of consensus, efforts were made to strengthen cooperation on supply chains and mineral resources.
Commerce ministry sets up committee for better utilisation of RELIEF initiative for exporters
The commerce ministry has established a six-member committee to enhance the RELIEF initiative for exporters. This initiative aims to mitigate challenges posed by rising freight costs and insurance premiums. The committee includes officials from various government departments working to improve fund utilization. It will assess the implementation of the initiative and recommend measures for better uptake. The overall goal is to support exporters during trade disruptions in crucial regions.
US inflation heats up in September; consumer spending rises
In September, the US experienced a notable rise in inflation, driven by surging gasoline prices and other consumer goods. The Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index climbed to 0.5%, up from 0.3% previously. Despite inflation-adjusted consumer spending remaining flat, it still rose by 0.5%, reflecting a resilient economic activity. The Federal Reserve opted to keep interest rates steady, though considerable inflationary pressures have analysts anticipating a possible rate hike in December.
US economy grows faster than expected at 3.4% in Q3 on consumer spending, AI boom
The US economy grew at a faster-than-expected 3.4% annualised rate in the third quarter, driven by resilient consumer spending and AI-related business investment despite higher oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. The robust growth contrasts with weak consumer sentiment and comes as the Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged.
Anthropic tells California governor courts should be able to block risky AI models
Anthropic itself has faced government restrictions on its AI systems. The Trump administration in June ordered Anthropic to immediately restrict foreign access to its cyber-capable Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models, citing national security concerns. The US Commerce Department later lifted the order.
US goods trade deficit unexpectedly widens in September
The goods trade shortfall increased 2.1%, or $2.8 billion to $134.9 billion last month, the Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the goods deficit at $130.2 billion.
What happened to the FEC website? Hackers disrupt campaign finance filings before US midterms
On October 26, just ahead of the US midterm elections, the Federal Election Commission encountered a significant outage in its electronic filing system, potentially due to a security breach by an unidentified source. This disruption prevented candidates from submitting vital campaign finance reports during a key spending period, raising concerns about the transparency of campaign funding.
Anthropic IPO rocks Indian IT; Why Walmart is in no hurry to list Flipkart
Anthropic’s US IPO filing sent Indian IT stocks lower on Tuesday. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
China urges United States to halt proposed expansion of outbound investment curbs
China's commerce ministry has called on the United States to stop expanding investment restrictions related to sensitive technologies. These restrictions may negatively impact trade relations between the two countries following new proposals from the US Treasury. The US aims to prevent its capital from aiding foreign adversaries in developing dual-use technologies. Beijing firmly opposes these measures and may initiate countermeasures if the proposal is implemented.
US has for years asked Musk to alter Starlink service in Ukraine, Middle East, sources say
Multiple requests were made by the Biden and Trump administrations for SpaceX to adjust Starlink services across different regions. These requests included both restricting access to adversarial groups and providing access to allies and civilians. Notably, officials expressed concerns about Starlink being used by Iranian proxy forces, which the US aimed to counteract. Additionally, Ukraine's military access to Starlink has recently been limited, raising alarms among European officials.
Trump declares wind turbine imports as threat to national security; India among top suppliers
US President Donald Trump recently declared that imports of wind turbines pose a threat to national security. The declaration followed a Commerce Department investigation focusing on cybersecurity issues related to foreign-made equipment. Trump cited concerns regarding foreign reliance and interruptions to radar systems and air traffic operations. Instead of imposing immediate tariffs, he directed trade officials to negotiate with partners.
‘It's never done till it's done’: Jaishankar on India-US trade deal
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the progress towards a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Negotiating teams are working to finalize outstanding issues that could pose challenges ahead. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized that both countries are very close to concluding the deal. Discussions have included various sectors such as trade, energy, and technology partnerships.
Commerce ministry organising FTA outreach initiatives to help states unlock export potential: Piyush Goyal
In a significant announcement, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal introduced plans designed to optimize the use of free trade agreements (FTAs). These initiatives focus on expanding the global footprint of 'Made in India' products, aiming to bolster support for exporters. By teaming up with state governments, the initiatives will strive to tap into each state's unique export capabilities.
Beijing blasts US sanctions on 5 Chinese firms tied to ex-Google engineer
The Trump administration's recent sanctions on five Chinese companies have drawn firm opposition from Beijing, with ties to Linwei Ding, who faces charges of trade secret theft from Google. The U.S. State Department pointed out that significant violations occurred after January 2023. China's commerce ministry firmly defended their AI progress as a product of independent innovation, signaling potential responsive actions without revealing specific plans yet.
Load More
