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Hans India
4 minutes ago
- Hans India
Trump's AI Tool Targets Massive Federal Regulation Cuts, Sparks Legal and Ethical Debate
In a bold move to reshape the federal regulatory landscape, the Trump administration has turned to artificial intelligence to fast-track its ambitious deregulation agenda. A new report from The Washington Post reveals that a government-deployed AI system, dubbed the DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool, is being used to identify and eliminate a sweeping number of federal rules—potentially as many as half of the current 200,000 regulations. The tool is operated under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body created to modernize and streamline federal operations. So far, the AI has already reviewed and recommended removal of more than 1,000 regulations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in just two weeks. It's also credited with drafting all recent deregulations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Government insiders told The Post that DOGE AI was developed by a team of engineers recruited during tech billionaire Elon Musk's brief involvement with the agency. According to a presentation reviewed by the publication, DOGE AI is being promoted as a cost-saving solution that could cut bureaucratic red tape, lower compliance costs for businesses, and attract new investment by simplifying the regulatory environment. Agencies across the federal government have been given a deadline of September 1 to submit their lists of regulations to be reviewed—and potentially scrapped—using the AI tool. The Trump administration hopes this initiative will deliver visible results by the first anniversary of Trump's return to office. This AI-driven approach follows Trump's earlier executive order, issued in January, directing federal agencies to eliminate ten existing rules for every new one introduced. Departments like Transportation and Labor have already announced significant rollbacks of existing regulations as part of this push. Despite the technological enthusiasm, the move has drawn mixed reactions across federal agencies. While some departments have embraced DOGE AI's rapid processing capabilities, others are voicing caution. Critics argue that relying on AI to review intricate and legally sensitive regulations could result in oversight, errors, or even violations of administrative law. Legal experts emphasize that repealing federal rules is not a simple task. Administrative law mandates rigorous processes, including public consultations, environmental impact assessments, and legal reviews. Automating this work, they argue, could undermine the integrity of the system. Adding to the uncertainty is internal tension among federal staff. Some employees fear that increased dependence on AI could lead to flawed policy decisions. Meanwhile, ongoing staffing cuts are reportedly hampering the speed at which agencies can review or respond to AI-generated suggestions, despite pressure from the White House for faster results. Still, the administration maintains confidence in the technology. 'We're exploring all options,' said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields, adding that while nothing is finalized, the DOGE team deserves credit for introducing fresh ideas into government operations. As the deadline approaches, the ultimate impact of DOGE AI remains unclear. But what's certain is that this experiment in algorithmic governance is already reshaping conversations about the future of policymaking in Washington. TAGS: Trump deregulation AI tool, DOGE AI federal rules, US regulation cuts 2025, Technology, Tech News
Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Biggest ever' US-EU trade deal: 5 takeaways
After months of tense negotiations, including repeated threats by Donald Trump to increase tariffs on the European Union, the US on Sunday (July 27) announced it had reached a trade deal with the bloc. The deal announced by US President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf club in Turnberry, Scotland, sets a baseline tariff rate of 15% on all European goods, effective Friday (August 1). To recap, Trump had previously announced a 10% baseline tariff on most imports from the EU, 25% tariffs on automobiles, and 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. Since April, the US has charged an additional 10% 'reciprocal' tariff on top of the pre-existing 4.8% average duty on imports from the EU. Earlier this month, he threatened to impose 30% tariffs if a deal was concluded by August 1. 'It's the biggest of all the deals,' Trump said on Sunday. 'I think it's going to be great for both parties,' von der Leyen concurred, describing this as 'the best we could get' and saying, 'Today's deal creates certainty in uncertain times.' Here is all you need to know. All EU goods will face a baseline tariff of 15%, half the 30% rate Trump had threatened to implement come August 1. The deal includes medicines, semiconductor chips, and cars. US exporters would now have access to European markets, and may face zero tariffs for certain products. The zero tariffs would reportedly apply to sectors including 'all aircraft and component parts, certain chemicals, certain generics, semiconductor equipment, certain agricultural products, natural resources and critical raw materials', von der Leyen said. A Reuters report quoted a US official as saying that commercial aircraft would face zero tariffs for now, while there was a 'reasonably good chance' that a new rate less than 15% could be realised later. Uncertainty still remains over the tariffs European wine and spirits producers will face in the US, but she said the matter would be resolved in the coming days. 2 – Steel and aluminium tariffs remain at 50%, cars effectively at 27.5% The deal does not include European steel and aluminium, which continue to face a separate 50% import tax. However, von der Leyen said that further negotiations could yield a quota system, wherein such imports within a certain quota could escape the additional duty. Meanwhile, European cars face a 27.5% tariff, with Trump's 25% rate coming atop the pre-existing 2.5% tariffs in place. Germany will likely bear the brunt, given its export-driven economy and large automotive sector. Manufacturers VW, Mercedes and BMW were among the worst-affected by the tariffs, in place since April. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the deal, industrial groups in the country have been critical of it. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) called the deal 'an inadequate compromise' that 'sends a fatal signal to the closely intertwined economies on both sides of the Atlantic.' The US has been the second major market for the European auto industry. Data from Acea (the European Auto Manufacturers Association) showed that the EU exported 757,654 new vehicles to the US last year, worth €38.9 billion ($45.41 billion), and imported 169,152 new vehicles from the US, worth €7.8 billion ($9.1 billion). 3 – European investment commitments in the US The EU has agreed to purchase American energy products worth $750 billion, chiefly oil, gas, including liquified gas, nuclear fuel and semiconductors. It will also $600 billion in the US in addition to its current investments, including purchases of military equipment, Trump said. von der Leyen confirmed the EU would commit to buying $250 billion of US energy products annually for the next three years. 'With this deal, we are securing access to our largest export market,' she said. Trump also said that the EU would purchase a 'vast amount of military equipment' from the US. However, no definite purchase commitment has been made. Since the war between Russia and Ukraine commenced in 2022, the EU has increased its military spending, boosted by Trump's remarks earlier in the year pushing for increased European military spending. Thus far, they have focused on purchasing military equipment from European companies. 4 – Only temporary relief for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals The deal currently retains the 15% tariff rate for pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, which are subject to separate tariff investigations. The Guardian reported that sources said the EU investment commitments helped seal the 15% tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. However, both sectors face the threat of additional tariffs in the future. Trump has previously threatened 200% tariffs on pharma imports, while US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that semiconductor tariffs could also be announced in the coming weeks. Data from the European Commission's data wing, Eurostat, indicate that medicines were the EU's top exports to the US in 2024, amounting to nearly €80 billion. Ireland, which Trump has accused of having 'the entire US pharmaceutical industry in its grasp', has been the largest pharma exporter. 5 – An Ireland-shaped problem The tariff announcement presents a unique conundrum for the island of Ireland, wherein traders in Northern Ireland, a constituent of the UK, can sell goods to the US at 10% tariffs, while Ireland the country faces the 15% tariff rate. A similar situation was last faced during Brexit, when Northern Ireland (as part of the UK) exited the EU in 2020, while Ireland remained a member of the bloc. After tedious negotiations, the two arrived at the Windsor Framework in February 2023, which resolved the issues around customs arrangements. A similar understanding will now become necessary for the two regions to ensure stability across the island and diplomacy continues under the Good Friday agreement, which formally ended 30 years of conflict between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland's deputy prime minister, Simon Harris, said he 'regretted' the 15% tariff rate but said 'certainty' was important. In 2024, the total goods trade between the US and the EU amounted to $975.9 billion, US Trade Representative data showed. The US ran a $235.6 billion trade deficit with the EU, a 12.9% increase over the previous year. European Commission data showed that the US was its largest trading partner in 2024, accounting for 20% of EU goods exports, with Germany, Ireland, France and Italy as the top exporters. The major exports from the EU were over €200 billion (over $227 billion) of machinery and vehicles, €160 billion (over $182 billion) of chemicals and €25 billion (over $28 billion) of food and drink.
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
Thailand, Cambodia Start Ceasefire Talks Amid Trump Trade Threat
Thai and Cambodian leaders began talks aimed at ending their deadliest border conflict in more than a decade, as the US and regional powers push for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet are holding discussions Monday in Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is facilitating the dialogue in his role as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with Washington and Beijing dispatching envoys. Anwar's office said that the talks had begun shortly after the scheduled 3 p.m. start time. The talks mark the first formal dialogue since fresh clashes erupted on July 24, with at least 35 people killed and more than 150,000 civilians displaced on both sides of their 800-kilometer border. Tensions escalated rapidly over the weekend as heavy artillery fire and aerial strikes were reported, and both sides accused each other of targeting civilian areas. US President Donald Trump had said before the discussions that the Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to 'quickly work out a ceasefire.' After separate calls with Phumtham and Hun Manet on Saturday, Trump had threatened that Washington would not do a trade deal with either as long as the fighting continued. Before departing for the talks, Phumtham questioned Cambodia's sincerity in halting fighting as clashes continued into early Monday. The discussions were set to focus on ending the hostilities and maintaining Thailand's sovereignty, he told reporters. Thailand has insisted that any ceasefire must include troop withdrawals, an end to lethal force and an agreement to resolve conflict through bilateral mechanisms. Cambodia, by contrast, says it supports an unconditional end to hostilities. The current conflict traces its roots to long-standing disputes stemming from colonial-era maps and treaties that defined the two countries' boundaries. Relations had remained relatively stable since a 2011 clash that left dozens dead, but renewed tensions have triggered fears of escalated fighting. Read: What's Behind Deadly Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash?: QuickTake Trump threatened to block trade deals with both countries unless the violence stopped. 'We're not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war,' Trump said Sunday, adding that both leaders expressed willingness to negotiate after speaking with him directly. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US officials are on the ground in Malaysia 'to assist these peace efforts.' China, the top trading partner for both Southeast Asian nations and a major backer of Phnom Penh, is due to participate in the talks, the Cambodian leader said. 'Both President Trump and I remain engaged with our respective counterparts for each country and are monitoring the situation very closely,' Rubio said in a statement. 'We want this conflict to end as soon as possible.' With Trump's Aug. 1 tariff deadline looming, trade-reliant Thailand wants to avoid antagonizing the US president, especially as its officials have been holding talks to lower the steep 36% planned levy on its exports. Trump has claimed credit for helping halt border clashes earlier this year between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade measures. It's an assertion India has consistently denied but Pakistan has embraced. Thailand's trade talks with the US have included offering expanded access for American goods to narrow a $46 billion trade surplus. Neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have already secured trade deals with the US in recent weeks. 'President Trump's pressure tactic seems to be working as both the Thai and Cambodian governments are struggling economically,' said Tita Sanglee, associate fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. 'Failure to lower Thailand's tariff rate will be politically costly.' But yielding to a ceasefire agreement when the Cambodian threat to take the territorial disputes to the International Court of Justice is still alive, won't likely be accepted by the Thai public or the military, she said. Cambodia has said it wants the court to help settle the disputed status of four border areas, after a skirmish broke out in May. Thailand doesn't recognize the court's jurisdiction. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
