U.S. vs. China: Japan’s big tech investor picks a side
Jan 29, 2025
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Lionel Barber, former Financial Times editor and author of "Gambling Man," dives into the intriguing world of Masayoshi Son, chairman of SoftBank. Barber discusses Son's pivotal role in tech investments and his surprising alignment with Trump's administration. The conversation reveals the geopolitics of U.S.-China relations, highlighting how Son's strategic moves in the tech landscape signify a broader narrative of economic competition. From hefty investment pledges to humorous interactions with Trump, this discussion uncovers the intricate blend of politics and tech.
Masayoshi Son's substantial investment commitment in U.S. technology highlights a strategic pivot amidst U.S.-China tensions, reinforcing American growth prospects.
Son's collaboration with Trump illustrates their shared resilience and political savvy, suggesting that investment decisions are also influenced by broader geopolitical dynamics.
Deep dives
Masayoshi Son's Strategic Investments
Masayoshi Son, the chairman of SoftBank, has recently announced significant investments in artificial intelligence and technology infrastructure, expanding his previous commitments from four years ago. His promise to invest $100 billion in the U.S. demonstrates a shift in focus, particularly amidst U.S.-China tensions, where he appears to be favoring American investments over Chinese ventures. These new plans aim to build data centers and develop super chips that enhance AI capabilities, showcasing a more robust and structured approach compared to past promises. As he engages with key U.S. tech figures like Sam Altman of OpenAI, his strategy signals a commitment to fostering growth within the U.S. technology sector.
Political Parallels of Trump and Son
Both Donald Trump and Masayoshi Son share similarities as resilient figures in their respective fields, often regarded as 'comeback kids.' Son's partnership with Trump mirrors his previous attempts to leverage political connections, having pledged substantial investments in the past despite mixed results. Their mutual ability to navigate political landscapes showcases their showmanship and capacity to generate headlines, likening their strategies to performances rather than strictly business methodologies. This ongoing dynamic implies that both are willing to take calculated risks while promoting ambitious visions for economic growth.
The Geopolitical Landscape of Investment
The current global tensions between the U.S. and China create a complex backdrop for investment decisions, particularly for executives like Masayoshi Son. By choosing to prioritize investments in the U.S., Son aligns himself with Trump’s administration during a period of heightened scrutiny on Chinese technology companies, reflecting a significant geopolitical shift. This strategy comes with inherent risks, but advocates argue that the U.S. offers a more stable and lucrative environment for growth compared to China’s struggling economy. As Son places his bets on American technology, he navigates a rapidly evolving landscape, signaling potential transformations in the relationships between global investors and their home countries.
Three tech executives stood beside President Donald Trump at the White House last week and pledged to spend $500 billion to build AI data centers. Two of them are household names in the U.S. The third isn’t as well known: Masayoshi Son, the chairman and CEO of SoftBank. But Son has long been a global power player in tech and, when it comes to Trump, a shrewd political player as well. On POLITICO Tech, journalist Lionel Barber, who wrote a biography about Son called “Gambling Man,” joins host Steven Overly to share more of Son’s story, and explain why his latest embrace of Trump sends a message to both Washington and Beijing.