Washington is betting $250 million to counter Beijing's grip on critical minerals. China is wining and dining Apple, Volkswagen, and Samsung. And the founders of China's two hottest AI companies are in very different places right now — one celebrated, one grounded. Meanwhile, new data from Anthropic challenges the "AI will take your job" narrative. Here's what it actually shows. The $1 Trillion 'Pax Silica' Fund — The State Department is committing $250 million to a new critical minerals infrastructure fund, with Japan, Singapore, and UAE sovereign wealth funds joining for a combined $1 trillion AUM. A direct response to China's chokehold on mineral supply chains. Good first step — but the details will determine whether it holds. China Development Forum — While Pax Silica courts allied capital, Beijing hosted 80 multinational executives — more American representation than previous years, including Apple, Thermo Fisher, and Corning. Beijing's message: we're the stable market. The timing...