FT News Briefing US takes a hard line on Russia, Congress weighs stimulus, the way forward for Waymo
Jan 25, 2021
The US is taking a tougher stance on Russia in response to recent protests. Congressional Democrats are pushing for a swift deal on a $1.9 trillion stimulus plan before addressing Trump's impeachment. The WHO warns that richer nations jeopardize their own recoveries by neglecting vaccine distribution to poorer countries. Meanwhile, the journey toward accessible self-driving cars remains challenging, with Waymo's leader comparing the task to space exploration, highlighting the stark gap between ambitions and reality.
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Russian Protests Surge
- Russia saw some of its largest protests in years after Alexei Navalny's arrest.
- Many protesters were first-timers, galvanized by the Kremlin's treatment of Navalny.
Stimulus vs. Impeachment
- Joe Biden's stimulus package faces potential delays due to Donald Trump's impeachment trial.
- Republicans may support some stimulus elements, like increased checks, but not the whole $1.9 trillion.
Vaccine Rollout Impact
- Advanced economies could face a GDP drop of up to 3.5% if developing nations' vaccine rollout lags.
- Slow vaccination disrupts trade and supply chains, impacting intermediate and final goods exchange.