French AI company Mistral has introduced Mistral Saba, a language model tailored for Arabic-speaking users. Unlike its previous general-purpose models, Saba is designed to handle Arabic content more naturally and effectively, positioning Mistral as a competitor to US-based AI giants. The model also demonstrates strong performance in certain Indian languages due to cultural and linguistic overlaps.
The move signals Mistral’s growing interest in the Middle East, a region with increasing demand for AI-driven services. By offering an off-the-shelf model for Arabic-language support and content generation, the company aims to attract regional businesses and potential investors. Mistral has already secured funding from major US firms, but future investments from Middle Eastern partners could strengthen its global standing.
Mistral Saba is accessible via API and can be deployed on-premise, making it particularly appealing to industries such as finance, healthcare, and energy, where data privacy is crucial. The company has hinted at plans to develop more regional AI models, reinforcing its commitment to multilingual AI solutions, not just in France.
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A US federal judge has ruled that Ross Intelligence infringed on Thomson Reuters’ copyright by using its legal research content to train an AI platform. The decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over AI and intellectual property, as over 39 similar lawsuits progress through US courts.
Ross had argued that its use of Reuters’ Westlaw headnotes, summaries of legal decisions, was transformative, meaning it repurposed the material for a different function. However, the judge rejected this defence, ruling that Ross merely repackaged the content without adding significant new value. The company’s commercial intent also played a role in the ruling, as its AI system directly competed with Reuters’ legal research services.
The ruling could impact future AI copyright cases, particularly those involving generative AI models trained on publicly available content. While some believe it strengthens the case for content creators, others argue its scope is limited. Legal experts caution that further court decisions will be needed to define how copyright law applies to AI training in the long term.
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The EU’s competition chief, Teresa Ribera, has criticised US President Donald Trump for disrupting the ‘trustful relationship’ between Europe and the United States, highlighting the unpredictability and instability of Washington’s actions. In an interview with Reuters, Ribera stated that while Europe must engage in negotiations with the White House on trade issues, it should not be pressured into changing laws that have already been passed. She emphasised that Europe must remain firm on its principles, including human rights, democracy, and the unity of the continent, despite Trump’s transactional political approach.
Ribera also responded to criticism from Trump and his government, who have labelled EU regulations on US tech companies as a form of taxation. She dismissed these claims, stressing that Europe’s legal framework aims to ensure stability and predictability for businesses. In contrast, she expressed concern over the uncertainty created by the White House’s frequent policy shifts, particularly with regard to tariffs on steel, aluminium, and other sectors. The EU has vowed to respond firmly to any tariff increases imposed by Trump.
In addition, Ribera revealed that the European Commission would soon decide whether tech giants Apple and Meta Platforms have complied with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Both companies face potential fines if found in breach of the regulations, which are designed to curb their market dominance. Ribera also confirmed that investigations into Elon Musk’s social media platform X would continue, disregarding Musk’s ties to the US administration.
As tensions between Washington and Brussels continue to rise, Ribera reiterated that businesses seek a stable and predictable legal environment, something she feels is increasingly lacking in the US under Trump’s leadership. The EU remains committed to enforcing its regulations and protecting its values despite external pressures.
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Vietnam is set to adopt new regulations allowing Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer satellite internet services in the country, granting it full control over its local subsidiary. This decision follows prolonged negotiations between Vietnam and SpaceX and marks a shift in Vietnam’s policy towards foreign investment in satellite internet services. The move is seen as a diplomatic gesture towards SpaceX, which could help alleviate tensions amid concerns over potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump.
The new rules, set to be approved by Vietnam’s parliament, will allow foreign companies with low-orbit satellite networks to operate under a pilot scheme until 2030. SpaceX’s efforts to enter Vietnam had previously been stalled in late 2023 due to a ban on foreign control, a requirement for Musk’s involvement. The new regulations are part of broader efforts by the Vietnamese government to remove obstacles in technological and scientific activities.
With plans for a $1.5 billion investment in Vietnam, SpaceX has been expanding its supplier network in the country. If Starlink attracts significant local subscribers, it could help reduce the growing trade surplus Vietnam has with the US, which reached a record $123.5 billion last year. As US tariffs continue to threaten Vietnam’s export-driven economy, the government is also seeking ways to balance trade by increasing imports from the US, including agricultural products.
The shift in Vietnam’s stance reflects a desire to play a more flexible role in international trade relations, especially as tensions between the US and its trade partners escalate under Trump’s administration. The outcome of this policy change could have significant implications for both Starlink’s expansion and Vietnam’s relationship with the US.
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Taiwanese electronics companies are preparing to increase investments in Texas, with major announcements expected in May, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. Richard Lee, head of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, revealed that several large Taiwanese companies, particularly those in the AI server industry, are looking to expand their operations in Texas. This follows proactive efforts by Texas’ Republican-led government to attract Taiwanese investment.
The move comes as Trump has criticised Taiwan for its semiconductor business and threatened tariffs on trade partners with significant trade deficits, potentially targeting Taiwan. Last week, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te pledged to invest more in the US, adding to the momentum. Companies like Foxconn, Compal, and Inventec, which already have operations in Texas, are expected to announce further expansions, particularly to accommodate the growing demand for AI-related technologies.
Foxconn, which manufactures products for major tech companies like Apple and Nvidia, has already made a $33 million investment in land and factory buildings in Texas. With the demand for AI servers rising, Taiwanese manufacturers are eyeing Texas as a strategic location to meet the growing market needs. However, neither Foxconn nor Compal has yet provided specific details on their plans.
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Mexico has strongly opposed Google’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’ for US users of Google Maps. President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged the tech giant to reverse the change, which follows a decree by the US government under President Donald Trump. She argues that the long-established name is internationally recognised and should not be altered unilaterally.
Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s stance on Thursday, stressing that Google has yet to address the country’s concerns. She pointed out that the US government’s authority extends only to its territorial waters and does not justify a broader renaming of the Gulf. While the name remains unchanged for users in Mexico, Google Maps outside the two countries now displays both names.
If Google refuses to restore the original name, Mexico is prepared to take legal action, Sheinbaum warned. ‘If necessary, we will file a civil suit,’ she stated, adding that the government’s legal team is already exploring its options. Google has not yet responded to the controversy.
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Taiwan’s GlobalWafers confirmed on Friday that its investments in the US are proceeding as planned, despite potential changes under the US CHIPS Act. The company has been awarded $406 million in government grants to expand its silicon wafer production in Texas and Missouri. However, the Biden administration is considering changes to some CHIPS Act funding, which has raised concerns for GlobalWafers, as sources indicated there could be delays or renegotiations of some semiconductor-related disbursements.
GlobalWafers CEO Doris Hsu stated that the company has not yet received any notifications regarding changes to its subsidy terms. She emphasised that, if adjustments to the CHIPS Act do occur, the company would need to reassess its investment strategy in the US. Hsu added that the decision would depend on factors such as US demand, pricing conditions, and potential tariffs, though she noted that these scenarios are still hypothetical at this stage.
The company is moving forward with its expansion plans across three US plants, with funding tied to specific milestones. Hsu reassured that the planned investments are continuing according to schedule, with no immediate changes to the company’s strategy. GlobalWafers remains optimistic about its US operations, bolstered by its existing factories in the country and its strong global presence.
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The European Union has dismissed claims that recent decisions to scale back planned AI regulations were influenced by pressure from the US Trump administration. The bloc recently scrapped the AI Liability Directive, a draft law intended to make it easier for consumers to sue over AI-related harms. EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen stated that the move was driven by a desire to enhance competitiveness by reducing bureaucracy and regulatory burdens.
Washington has encouraged a more lenient approach to AI rules, with US Vice President JD Vance urging European lawmakers to embrace the ”AI opportunity” during a speech in Paris.
The timing of the European Commission‘s 2025 work programme release—one day after Vance’s remarks—has fuelled speculation about US influence over the bloc’s regulatory decisions. However, the EU insists that its focus remains on fostering regional AI development rather than bowing to external pressure.
The upcoming AI code of practice will align reporting requirements with existing AI legislation, ensuring a streamlined regulatory framework. The Commission’s work programme emphasises a ”bolder, simpler, faste” approach, aiming to accelerate AI adoption across Europe while maintaining regulatory oversight.
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Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on Canada and France in response to their digital services taxes on US technology companies. The former president criticised the taxes as unfair, arguing that only the United States should have the right to tax its own firms.
Canada began implementing the levy last year to ensure companies like Alphabet and Amazon contribute fairly despite often booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
Trump directed his economic team to develop a strategy for reciprocal tariffs against any country imposing duties on US imports. A White House fact sheet claimed that Canada and France each collect over $500 million annually from US firms through digital taxes, costing American businesses more than $2 billion per year. The statement argued that retaliatory tariffs would restore fairness to global trade.
The digital tax dispute has been a long-standing issue, with Washington previously challenging Canada’s approach under Joe Biden’s administration.
The United States had sought trade dispute consultations, calling the tax discriminatory. The office of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not yet commented on Trump’s latest tariff proposal.
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The Trump administration is reevaluating the conditions of CHIPS and Science Act subsidies, which allocate $39 billion to boost domestic semiconductor production. Sources indicate that ongoing projects under the 2022 law are being reviewed for compliance with new policy priorities, potentially leading to renegotiations or delays.
GlobalWafers, a Taiwanese company set to receive $406 million for projects in Texas and Missouri, noted that Washington has not yet communicated any changes.
However, new White House policies are reportedly under review, including those related to unionised labour and childcare for factory workers. Each subsidy agreement has unique milestones that recipients must meet to secure funding.
Concerns over companies expanding operations in China despite receiving CHIPS funding have also emerged. Intel, for example, announced a $300 million investment in a Chinese facility after receiving substantial subsidies.
The Semiconductor Industry Association has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration to streamline program requirements and maintain progress.
Industry giants such as TSMC, Samsung, and Intel continue to navigate the shifting landscape of the CHIPS Act, with no immediate clarity on how changes will affect existing agreements. The White House has yet to respond to requests for further comment on these developments.
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