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According to The Information: A U.S. government framework requires AI labs to share models up to 90 days before their release; the government may sign an executive order as early as Thursday to establish the framework.On May 21, the minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting revealed that regarding the outlook for monetary policy, participants generally agreed that persistently high inflation and uncertainty surrounding the duration and economic impact of the Middle East conflict might necessitate maintaining the current policy stance for a longer period than expected. Some participants emphasized that a reduction in the target range for the federal funds rate might be appropriate once clear signs emerge that the downward trend in inflation has steadily resumed, or signs of further weakness in the labor market appear. However, most participants noted that if inflation persists above 2%, some tightening measures might be necessary. To address this scenario, many participants expressed a desire to remove language from the post-meeting statement that suggested a possible shift towards easing in future interest rate decisions. Participants pointed out that monetary policy is not static, and future policy decisions will depend on the specific circumstances of each meeting.On May 21, the minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting revealed that participants expected high energy prices to continue to exert upward pressure on overall inflation in the near term. Participants generally anticipated that the impact of tariffs on core goods inflation would gradually diminish throughout the year. However, some participants noted that tariff rates could potentially rise further above current levels, leading to greater upward pressure on inflation. Some participants emphasized that after several consecutive years of inflation exceeding 2%, high inflation could have a greater impact on wage and price-setting decisions. Almost all participants noted that the Middle East conflict could persist for a long time, or even after the conflict ends, oil and other commodity prices could remain high for longer than expected. In this scenario, participants expected that supply chain disruptions, high energy prices, or the passing on of rising input costs to other prices would continue to push up inflation. The vast majority of participants indicated that the risk of inflation returning to the Committees 2% target level might be increased, potentially taking longer than previously anticipated.On May 21, Federal Reserve staff maintained that the uncertainty surrounding forecasts remained high, given the potential economic consequences of the Middle East conflict and the application of artificial intelligence. Overall, the risks to employment and real GDP growth forecasts were considered skewed to the downside. Risks to inflation forecasts were considered skewed to the upside: inflation had been well above 2% for the past five years, the Middle East conflict could lead to further inflationary pressures, and upward price pressures were emerging in some categories that appeared unrelated to tariffs or energy prices. Therefore, staff believed that inflation could persist longer than expected, a significant risk.May 21 - Federal Reserve meeting minutes revealed that staffs inflation forecasts for this year are higher than those from the March meeting, reflecting the latest data, rising energy prices, and other impacts of the Middle East conflict, factors expected to push up consumer price inflation. Inflation is expected to slow after the first half of this year as the economic impacts of various conflict-related factors gradually subside and the transmission of tariff increases to inflation weakens; by the end of next year, the inflation rate is projected to be close to 2%.

The conclusion of the Argentine truckers' strike increases grain shipments

Charlie Brooks

Jul 01, 2022 11:36


The Argentine truckers' strike ended on Thursday, when several unions incensed by fuel shortages reached an agreement to terminate the one-week protest near the vital port of Rosario, which is expected to assist future grain exports.


The truck driver's protest over high gasoline prices has halted shipments of corn and other goods, just as the bulk of the harvest was making its way to ports for export to worldwide markets.


Due to the exclusion of a few tiny truckers groups from the deal, however, it is possible that certain protests may continue.


Argentina is the second-largest exporter of maize, the top exporter of processed soy oil and meal, and a major supplier of wheat and beef.


One of the unions, Autoconvocados Unidos, issued the following statement: "Despite our dissatisfaction (with the latest settlement of truck freight rates) and in light of the present crisis in our country, we have chosen to halt the strike."


The union described their action as an act of kindness.


The number of trucks entering ports surged by 70 percent on Thursday compared to the previous day, reaching approximately 1,500 vehicles, as reported by the Rosario grains market.


The Rosario ports are the departure point for 80 percent of Argentina's agricultural exports, the vast majority of which are transported by truck.


The ability of trucks to access the port is returning to normal, according to the manager of the country's marine port chamber, Guillermo Wade.


Additionally on Wednesday, the transport ministry secured a deal with non-striking agricultural and transport groups to hike grain freight charges by 25%.


However, the majority of protesting unions, led by the UNTRA truckers' union, felt the rate increase insufficient and chose to dismantle highway blockades.


The head of the UNTRA, Carlos Geneiro, said, "We have far greater expenses than that."