Commerce Department

The Trump administration is preparing a list of Spanish goods for potential embargo after President Trump ordered a trade cut with Spain over its refusal to endorse NATO's defense spending mandate. The Treasury Department and other agencies are compiling options, which could destabilize the US-EU trade deal. Previous threats by Trump to cut trade with Spain have not yet resulted in formal action, but legal preparations are underway.

The Commerce Department is preparing new arms sale policies to assist US companies in foreign markets, according to a key official. The department aims to increase foreign defense sales through these initiatives.

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services widened to $77.6 billion in May as imports rose 3.3% and exports fell 3.2%. Increased demand for electronics, medicines, and AI-related technology drove higher imports, while the Trump administration’s tariffs and global supply chain disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz conflict failed to consistently reduce the deficit. New trade actions under Section 301 are being prepared to impose tariffs on countries restricting forced labor imports and those subsidizing domestic manufacturing.

The Trump administration has lifted restrictions on Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models after cybersecurity concerns raised by Amazon's researchers. Anthropic now offers Fable 5 widely and limited access to Mythos 5 for approved U.S. organizations, while OpenAI restricts its new GPT-5.6 Sol model at the administration's request.

The Trump administration has removed restrictions on Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 AI model and partially restored access to Mythos 5, following cybersecurity concerns raised by Amazon researchers. OpenAI also restricted its new GPT-5.6 Sol model at the administration's request, as part of a new AI oversight framework.

The key inflation gauge reached a 3-year high in May, driven by rising gas prices and AI-related costs. Apple increased prices on Macs and iPads due to chip shortages, while the U.S. economy grew 2.1% in Q1 2025. Mortgage rates remained near 6.5%, and consumer spending declined amid higher gas prices.

The Trump administration is nearing an agreement to restore access to Anthropic's Fable 5 model after a 15-day suspension due to security concerns. Anthropic expects to reintroduce Fable 5 soon following government risk assessments, with the Commerce Department also allowing limited access to its cybersecurity model Mythos 5 for trusted users.

The Trump administration, along with the US Treasury and commerce department, requested OpenAI to limit the distribution of its new GPT 5.6 model to vet users. The government offices sought a staggered release to address potential concerns.

The U.S. has barred Polestar from selling new electric vehicles due to its Chinese ownership. The Commerce Department denied Polestar authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule, leading the Geely-owned brand to cease U.S. sales.

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge rose to a three-year high in May, driven by higher gas prices and AI-related computer equipment costs. Core prices increased 3.4% annually, the largest rise since October 2023, while the Fed has kept rates unchanged this year amid concerns about underlying inflation.

Annual inflation reached 4.1 percent in May, the highest level in three years, with prices rising 0.7 percent in the month alone. The data was released by the Commerce Department, measured through the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index.

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a three-year high in May, driven by higher gas prices and demand for computer equipment. Core prices, excluding energy and food, increased to 3.4% annually, the largest rise since October 2023, while the Fed remains focused on returning inflation to its 2% target.

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a three-year high in May, driven by higher gas prices and demand for semiconductors and AI-related equipment. Rising costs have led the Fed to maintain key rates, with some economists predicting potential rate hikes, while President Trump faces political challenges as midterms approach.

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.1% annual pace in Q1 2026, up from a prior estimate of 1.6%, driven by business investment in artificial intelligence. This rebounded from 0.5% growth in Q4 2025, which was impacted by a 43-day government shutdown. Consumer spending declined sharply, but the job market remained resilient with 188,000 monthly job gains from March to May 2026.

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge reached a three-year high in May, driven by rising gas prices and demand for semiconductors and computer equipment linked to AI development. Core prices, excluding energy and food, rose 3.4% annually, the largest increase since October 2023, while the Fed maintains its key rate amid political challenges for President Trump as midterms approach.

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.1% annual rate in January-March 2026, up from a prior estimate of 1.6%, driven by business investment in artificial intelligence and a resilient job market. The growth rebounded from a 0.5% contraction in Q4 2025 caused by a 43-day federal government shutdown, though consumer spending fell sharply.

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.1% annual pace in Q1 2026, up from a prior estimate of 1.6%, driven by surging business investment in AI and increased government spending post-shutdown. However, consumer spending declined due to higher gasoline prices linked to the Iran war, and residential investment fell 7.8%, marking a fifth consecutive quarterly drop.

The US economy expanded at a 2.1% annual pace from January through March, according to a revised report from the Commerce Department.

President Trump stated he previously viewed Anthropic as a national security threat but noted improved relations. The Trump administration imposed export restrictions on Anthropic's AI models after Amazon reported a vulnerability, prompting technical discussions and collaborative efforts to address AI risks. Anthropic expressed commitment to working with the administration to protect critical infrastructure.

US retail sales rose 0.9% in May, driven by tax refunds and stable gas prices, with broad gains in clothing, furniture, and online sales. However, electronics and department stores saw declines, and economists caution that the tax refund boost may fade as inflation and gas prices remain elevated.

Retail sales in the US rose 0.9% in May, driven by warmer weather, lower gas prices, and tax refunds, with clothing, furniture, and online sales seeing increases. However, electronics and department stores declined, and gas prices remain near $4 per gallon despite a recent 11% drop. The control group, excluding key sectors, showed a 0.7% rise, indicating resilient consumer spending despite inflation.

Retail sales increased by 0.9% in May, driven by warmer weather and lower gasoline prices, with a revised 0.4% gain in April. Excluding gas stations, sales rose 0.7%, while clothing and home furnishing stores saw growth, and electronics sales declined. A tentative deal to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz may ease gas prices, which fell 11% from a month ago to $4.02 per gallon.

Retail sales increased 0.9% in May, driven by warmer weather and lower gasoline prices, with a 0.7% rise excluding gas stations. Tax refunds in April and May contributed to the growth, though their impact is waning. The Iran war peace deal may ease gas prices, but analysts caution about lingering supply issues and shifting consumer habits.

Cybersecurity executives and experts urge the Trump administration to lift restrictions on Anthropic's AI models, arguing the directive could harm U.S. cybersecurity defenses by limiting access to advanced tools. Anthropic complied with the directive by taking its latest models offline, citing concerns about their ability to exploit vulnerabilities, but experts claim similar capabilities exist in other models used globally.

The Commerce Department's export controls on Anthropic's AI Mythos/Fable 5 have complicated the Pentagon's relationship with the company. The move reflects heightened scrutiny of AI technologies and their military applications.

President Donald Trump attempted to block state-level AI regulations through an executive order directing federal agencies to challenge burdensome state laws and restrict funding for states with AI legislation. Despite these efforts, states are advancing targeted AI regulations focusing on issues like AI interactions with children, employer use, and developer accountability, though initial broader measures were previously vetoed or abandoned.

The U.S. government ordered Anthropic to suspend foreign access to its AI models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 over national security concerns related to a potential jailbreak method. Anthropic disabled the models to comply, citing disputes over the severity of the reported vulnerability and noting similar capabilities exist in other public models.

Anthropic removed its latest AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, from public access to comply with U.S. export controls aimed at restricting foreign use. The company criticized the government's directive for lacking transparency and clarity on national security concerns but stated it hopes to restore access soon.

Anthropic has removed its latest AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, from public access to comply with a Trump administration directive restricting foreign use. The company criticized the government's handling of the export controls, calling it a 'misunderstanding' and urging transparency in the process.

Anthropic removed its latest AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, from public access to comply with new U.S. export controls aimed at restricting advanced AI systems. The company criticized the government's directive as lacking transparency and fairness, while the Trump administration's executive order establishes a framework for vetting AI systems' national security risks before public release.

Anthropic has removed its latest AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, from public access to comply with new U.S. export controls aimed at restricting advanced AI systems from foreign use. The company criticized the government's handling of the directive, citing a lack of transparency and clear technical justification, while the action follows an executive order by President Donald Trump to vet AI systems for national security risks.

The Trump administration is blocking foreign access to Anthropic's most advanced AI models, citing national security risks. The Commerce Department has imposed export controls on Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models, requiring licenses for foreign access. Anthropic is on a Pentagon blacklist and must comply with new regulations to avoid penalties.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers warns the Trump administration against easing trade penalties on foreign companies involved in dumping Chinese and Russian goods in the US. They question whether the Commerce Department has altered its policy of imposing maximum tariffs on non-cooperative companies and highlight concerns about weakened enforcement of trade laws impacting American workers and national security.

The Trump administration is closing a loophole in U.S. export restrictions requiring licenses for selling advanced AI chips to firms with Chinese parent companies, even if those firms are not located in China or other restricted countries. The Commerce Department issued new guidance clarifying this requirement.

The article details how President Donald Trump has used government power to take equity stakes in companies across industries, including quantum computing, steel, and semiconductors, in exchange for government funding. Examples include the Commerce Department's $2 billion investment in quantum-computing companies, conditions on Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, and Intel's 10% stake given to the government for grants. The practice is criticized as fostering crony capitalism, contrasting with past crisis-era interventions where government shares were later sold.

A key US inflation gauge rose to 3.8% in April, the highest in three years, driven by higher gas prices and food costs, according to the Commerce Department. Monthly inflation increased 0.4%, down from March's 0.7%.

A key inflation gauge rose to 3.8% in April 2026, the highest in three years, driven by spiking gas and food prices. Core inflation hit 3.3%, with incomes falling slightly after adjusting for inflation, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions.

Retail sales rose 0.5% in April, a slowdown from the revised 1.6% in March, as higher gas prices left less room for nonessential items. Excluding gas prices, retail sales were up 0.3% in April. Sales at department stores and furniture stores declined, while online retailers saw an increase.

Google, Microsoft, and xAI have agreed to provide the US government with early access to their AI models. The Commerce Department will utilize this access to conduct security evaluations. This collaboration aims to enhance the government's understanding of AI technologies.

Inflation in the U.S. rose to 3.5 percent in March, driven by the war in Iran, according to the Commerce Department. The annual rate increased from 2.8 percent, as measured by the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index.