Tariff on AI Chips
According to the White House, “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action on Certain Advanced Computing Chips to Protect America’s Economic and National Security”, the administration imposed a 25% tariff on certain advanced computing chips (e.g., NVIDIA H200), a move that could trigger AI‑era GLOBAL supply shocks. [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-takes-action-on-certain-advanced-computing-chips-to-protect-americas-economic-and-national-security/)
Tech Firms Asked to Fund Power
According to TechCrunch, “Trump administration wants tech companies to buy $15B of power plants they may not use”, the White House urged PJM to run an emergency auction for 15‑year capacity contracts so hyperscalers would underwrite new generation — centering the debate on POWER and grid resilience. [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/trump-administration-wants-tech-companies-to-buy-15b-of-power-plants-they-may-not-use/)
Apple Picks Google’s Gemini
According to The Verge, “What Apple and Google’s Gemini deal means for both companies”, Apple announced a multi‑year pact to base future Apple Foundation Models on Google’s Gemini to power next‑gen Siri and Apple Intelligence, a move sparking questions about PRIVACY and market concentration. [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/860989/apple-google-gemini-siri-ai-deal-what-it-means)
December CPI shows inflation stickiness
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – DECEMBER 2025” the CPI rose 0.3% in December and 2.7% year‑over‑year, with shelter and food gains keeping core inflation elevated—data likely to influence the Fed’s near‑term policy view. [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm?gsid=31346ea4-3ae5-4f3c-9b6d-93c8bb6878ea)
Wall Street near records as chips, tech lead
According to The Associated Press, “Stocks waver on Wall Street and remain near records” as tech and chip names rallied after strong earnings and Taiwan Semiconductor’s U.S. capex plans, keeping major indexes close to all‑time highs and buoying market sentiment. [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-trump-ai-de230d7cc846c215b4d004416b12bf1e)
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