Insights | Meridian Research Group | Page 2

Tech / Media / Telecom

The Trump administration is considering issuing an Executive Order (EO) that would attempt to impose through various means a moratorium on state-level AI laws and regulations.

Stimulus Checks, Tariff Legislation

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Blair yesterday signaled that the Trump administration is developing a plan for “affordability” legislation that could include stimulus checks and healthcare payments to individuals (presumably through their HSAs), which would be offset by new authority to impose tariffs (i.e., the Congressional Budget Office...

Russia-related Tariffs/Sanctions

President Trump has said he would be “ok” with Congress passing legislation that would allow the U.S. to impose tariffs up to 500% on countries that buy Russian energy. Trump suggested that Congress should alter the legislation so that it applies to Iran as well. White House officials reiterated that Trump will support the bill if it is changed...

Mexico/Canada Trade (USMCA)

USTR recently collected comments on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Free Trade Agreement review, with various stakeholders calling for changes to the agreement that provide insight into issues that will arise in eventual negotiations. The official USMCA review will begin next July. Meanwhile, the U.S. recently extended for “a few weeks” a trade...

Energy, Tech / Media / Telecom

Data Centers/Energy Usage

The increasingly visible rise in electricity prices was a prominent issue in last week’s elections in GA, NJ, and VA. Electricity costs are among a multitude of issues that relate to broader voter concern about the cost of living/affordability, which is increasingly dominating the policy dialogue at both the state and federal level. As a result,...

Mergers & Acquisitions

Kimberly-Clark/Kenvue

Kenvue confronts several lawsuits and policy matters involving Tylenol and talc-based baby powder, the most noteworthy of which we highlight below. Regarding the impact of Kenvue litigation on the deal, the merger agreement carves out any Tylenol-related lawsuits or developments from its material adverse effects definition. We should note,...