geopolitical tensions

Elbit Systems Ltd. announced an upgrade of its long-term credit rating to “ilAA+” by S&P Global Ratings Maalot, citing strong operating performance and a record high backlog due to geopolitical tensions. The company’s short-term rating was reaffirmed. Elbit reported $1.9 billion in revenue and a $23.1 billion order backlog as of March 31, 2025.

Fortune Magazine’s 2025 Most Powerful Women in Global Business list recognizes leaders steering multinational firms through AI adoption, supply chain shifts, and geopolitical challenges. GM’s Mary Barra, Accenture’s Julie Sweet, and Citi’s Jane Fraser top the U.S.-dominated ranking (52% of honorees). Notable figures include AMD CEO Lisa Su, advancing AI chip innovation amid U.S.-China trade tensions, and Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou (10th), driving China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency. Chinese executives Joey Wat (Yum China), Bonnie Chan (HKEX), and JD.com’s Xu Ran also feature prominently. The list underscores technology strategy and cross-border agility as critical to modern corporate leadership.

DJI unveils the Mavic 4 Pro, featuring a groundbreaking 360-degree rotating gimbal, a 100MP Hasselblad camera, 51-minute battery life, and advanced obstacle avoidance. While launched globally at ¥13,888, the U.S. market faces exclusion due to escalating trade barriers, tariffs, and political scrutiny, including FCC restrictions and potential Senate legislation banning civilian sales. With tariffs inflating repair costs and distribution challenges, American consumers confront prolonged delays, while DJI navigates geopolitical tensions threatening its dominance in a market contributing ~30% of global drone revenue.

The U.S. Department of Commerce suspended the Biden-era “AI Diffusion Rule” hours before its May 15 implementation, abandoning broad restrictions on AI hardware, cloud services, and model transfers amid diplomatic concerns about alienating allies. While scaling back AI controls, it intensified semiconductor export enforcement, banning Huawei Ascend chip applications and tightening oversight on diversion risks. Officials framed the pivot as strategic recalibration, balancing global tech collaboration with security. Markets reacted cautiously, with AI infrastructure stocks rising slightly, though uncertainty persists over China’s potential retaliation and evolving regulatory frameworks. The shift highlights tensions between innovation diplomacy and techno-nationalist control in U.S. policy. (99 words)