#makeamericagreatagain — Public Fediverse posts

Venezuela’s Acting President Thanks Trump and Rubio for Oil Deal

The United States and Venezuela signed a major deal regarding oil and Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez is thankful to President Donald J. Trump and State Secretary Marco Rubio for it, according to a news report by Newsmax.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of Newsmax’s report. Some parts in boldface…

Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the oil agreement between the two countries.

The deal drew rave reviews from conservatives and criticism from Democrats.

“That is why we chose the path of diplomacy with the United States of America, to transform our differences into cooperation. And that cooperation into investment, production, well-being, and concrete results for Venezuelans,” Rodriguez said in a televised address Saturday.

“I thank President Donald Trump, Secretary Rubio, and his government for the efforts made by both their administration and ours, as well as the entire Venezuelan team that dedicated their time to reaching this agreement,” she said.

Rodriguez said the pact would run 25 years and target production of more than 1.5 million barrels a day.

She said Venezuela would receive about $19 a barrel, which could generate more than $209 billion for the state.

“It’s no use having our oil reserves underground just so they appear in a statistic or an accounting record and we can say we’re the country with the world’s largest reserves when we can’t convert them into development for Venezuela,” she said.

“Our reserves must be transformed into well-being, prosperity, and happiness for this country and enable us to restore our productive capacity so that we can establish ourselves as an energy and manufacturing powerhouse.“

Rodriguez added that the change would strengthen energy security in the Western Hemisphere and promote greater stability and balance in global energy markets.

Trump announced the agreement Friday, calling it “THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY!”

It covers 65 billion barrels of proven reserves across 17 fields, with the U.S. receiving 55% of output, including an ownership stake.

The White House has described 100-year development rights, a term Rodriguez did not repeat.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the US-Venezuela oil deal will be beneficial for both nations? Do you think the deal will help America economically in the long run? What is your view of Venezuela since the dictator Nicolas Maduro was removed by America?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Trump Signs Executive Orders Ending Birth Tourism And Protecting The Value Of American Citizenship

Following the unfortunate decision made the by Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) regarding birthright citizenship, US President Donald J. Trump signed two new Executive Orders to formally end birth tourism while also protecting the meaning and value of American citizenship.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the News24 (formerly Sky News Australia) video covering the Oval Office. Watch it and pay close attention to the details.

https://youtu.be/YC3PrTABmic?si=qLGS_xhbDUE99gcD&t=239

In America, birth tourism is already a huge problem that has yet to be full resolved. If it is left unchecked, it will negatively impact and even deform democracy in the US. That said, President Trump signed the Executive Order ending birth tourism. To understand it fully, posted below is the entire content of the said Executive Order sourced from the White House website. Some parts in boldface…

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose.  United States citizenship is among the greatest inheritances the Nation can bestow.  It embodies a sacred bond between the American people and the Nation in which they live, and carries profound rights, privileges, and responsibilities reflective of the enduring allegiance of citizens to the United States and our Constitution.  Citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through calculated exploitation and evasion of the immigration laws, such as by entering the United States on a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth within the Nation’s borders.

Birth tourism operators use deceptive advertisements and inducements to entice foreign nationals to travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth on American soil.  They promise citizenship; access to public benefits; and short-term stays in specialized facilities, hotels, or rentals, but often fail to deliver on these promises.  These operators coach their clients to misrepresent the purpose and duration of their travel to consular and border officials to obtain visas authorizing entry into the United States.  Failure to appropriately combat these schemes has resulted in thriving industries around the world that profit by enabling the evasion of American immigration laws to obtain citizenship and other immigration benefits for foreign visitors, and the exploitation of the women who travel here for purposes of giving birth.

The immigration laws of the United States establish discrete categories of temporary nonimmigrant visas to allow foreign visitors into the United States for study, exchange, temporary employment, tourism, and other transitory activities that are now exploited by birth tourism operators.  Participants in birth tourism schemes abuse these categories to establish a permanent foothold in the United States by securing the advantage of citizenship for their children and then potentially for themselves.

Birth tourism, defined in section 3 of this order, undermines the integrity of the Nation’s immigration system by enabling foreign nationals to exploit their temporary admission to obtain permanent immigration-related benefits.  Birth tourism also diverts limited consular inspection and enforcement resources away from legitimate visa applicants, erodes public confidence in the faithful enforcement of the immigration laws, and impairs the executive branch’s ability to protect the national security.

The United States has a compelling interest in ensuring that each visa category is used only for the purpose for which it was established.  Foreign nationals seeking temporary admission into the United States must adhere to the purposes for which the Congress has authorized their temporary admission, and cannot be permitted to circumvent the immigration laws in an attempt to vest themselves and their children with lasting benefits that are irreconcilable with their nonimmigrant status.

It is therefore the policy of the United States to promote the integrity of its immigration system, to ensure that nonimmigrant visa classifications are used only for their lawful and intended purposes, and to prevent the exploitation of those classifications by persons engaging in birth tourism.

Sec. 2.  Authorities.  Pursuant to section 301 of title 3, United States Code, the authority granted to the President under section 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1185(a), is hereby delegated to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to the extent necessary to implement this order, including the authority to issue or adopt rules, policies, operational guidance, or other guidance to carry out this order.

Sec. 3.  Definition.  For purposes of this order, “birth tourism” is defined as:

(a)  the entry of any foreign national into the United States via a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth on American soil; or

(b)  any effort by any foreign national to facilitate the entry of any foreign national into the United States via a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth on American soil.

Sec. 4.  Scope and Implementation.  (a)  The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions and update any rules, policies, operational guidance, or other guidance as necessary to effectuate the policy set forth in this order.  Such actions may include, within the Secretaries’ respective discretion and authority, appropriate action to prevent the entry into the United States of, or the granting of any visa or other travel authorization to, any alien entering or attempting to enter the United States for the purpose of engaging in birth tourism; revoking the visa or travel authorization and permanently barring entry of any alien who enters or attempts to enter the United States for the purpose of engaging in birth tourism; denial of entry to, or removal of, any alien who previously engaged or plans to engage in birth tourism; or other appropriate action against entities, organizations, or individuals, within or outside of the United States, responsible for facilitating or enabling birth tourism in any manner.

(b)  All other relevant executive departments and agencies shall provide such records and information as are necessary for the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement the terms of this order and the rules, policies, operational guidance, or other guidance issued pursuant to it, subject to applicable law.

Sec. 5.  Exemptions.  Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by this order, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security may exempt a foreign national from actions taken pursuant to this order on humanitarian grounds or when the foreign national’s entry is in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstances, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of any of its other provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

(e)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Homeland Security.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the two new Executive Orders signed by Trump will effectively end birth tourism while protecting the value of American citizenship? What kind of responses do you think the Democrats will come up with to oppose the Executive Orders. Do you think Islamist states like Iran, Pakistan, Qatar and Bangladesh are deliberately sending their citizens to America with birth tourism in mind? Did you spot any Chinese nationals engaging in birth tourism in America lately?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Determining Lifting Import Prohibition On Fresh US Potatoes

Fresh potatoes from the United States could potentially enter Japan’s markets this year as the authorities are assessing the quarantine risks and the concerns raised by Japanese potato farmers, according to a news report by NHK World. The Japanese authorities received a request from Washington regarding American potatoes which led to the ongoing assessment.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt of the NHK World report. Some parts in boldface…

Japan is taking steps that could lead to it fully opening its market to fresh US potatoes, following a request from Washington.

Japan bans imports of raw potatoes due to concerns over pests and disease, except for some sourced from the United States to be used exclusively for potato chips.

The agriculture ministry is currently assessing the quarantine risks posed by American potatoes, the third step in an 11-stage process before all restrictions can be lifted.

Officials plan to complete the risk assessment as early as this summer, and move on to identifying the pests and diseases that need to be dealt with.

Demand for fresh potatoes is rising in Japan, as domestic production has been on the decline.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan’s agriculture ministry will even allow full market opening to fresh potatoes from the United States? What do you think is the reason why Japan’s domestic production of fresh potatoes has declined?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan’s Steelmaker To Invest Up To $2.5 Billion In America

The steel industry of the United States will receive a much-needed boost as Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel Corp. will invest up to $2.5 billion in the Pennsylvania-based Mon Valley Works over the next three years, according to a news article by Jiji Press.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Jiji Press news article. Some parts in boldface…

Nippon Steel Corp. plans to invest up to 2.5 billion dollars in United States Steel Corp.’s Mon Valley Works in Pennsylvania over the next three years, the U.S. steelmaker said Monday.

“The total investment may range from approximately 2 billion to 2.5 billion dollars, more than double the original commitment” of the Japanese steelmaker, which acquired U.S. Steel last year, the Pittsburgh-based company said.

The investment includes construction of a new hot strip mill, set to replace an 87-year-old facility to produce high-value steel products such as those used in automobiles, U.S. Steel said.

The U.S. steelmaker said that the investment would generate 1.7 billion dollars in economic impact and create up to 6,381 jobs in Pennsylvania over three years.

The investment will deliver “lasting benefits to Pennsylvania workers, businesses, and communities,” U.S. Steel said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this major investment pledge by the Japanese steel giant will be economically beneficial to the steel workers, small businesses and local communities in the state of Pennsylvania? Do you think more Japanese investment in America will lift up the nation’s economy as long as the ties between US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae remain strong?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

American AI Companies Targeting IT-BPM Sector Of The Philippines

With a thriving information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector, the Philippines is attracting the attention of American artificial intelligence (AI) firms due to revenues generated and the existing large employment base, according to a Manila Bulletin news report citing the United States Commercial Service (USCS).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines’ information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector has emerged as the most viable investment destination for American artificial intelligence (AI) firms, according to the United States Commercial Service (USCS).

USCS Manila commercial specialist Easter Villanueva said the IT-BPM sector is a promising market for US-based AI companies given the revenues it generates and its large employment base.

“Given the size of this sector, AI could play an important role in modernization, productivity, and movement toward higher value services,” she said in a webinar organized by the USCS last week.

The IT-BPM sector generated more than $40 billion in revenues last year, up five percent from $38 billion in 2024, based on data from the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

IBPAP said the industry employed 1.9 million workers last year, four percent higher than the previous year’s 1.82 million employees.

This year, the IT-BPM industry is expected to generate $42 billion in revenues and create 1.97 million jobs.

As AI threatens to disrupt the industry, Villanueva said the sector is increasingly becoming more open to integrating AI into its operations, especially when it comes to voice-based services.

“I would think that they would be very much willing to explore [AI], since it is also important for workforce development,” said Villanueva.

“They want to also protect the jobs here in this market, [so] they would want to upskill their agents to be able to integrate their daily operations with AI,” she added.

Aside from the IT-BPM sector, other promising industries for American AI companies include digital transformation, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and the public sector.

Villanueva said there are also opportunities in cybersecurity, data governance, and responsible AI, especially as companies become more conscious of data privacy and security.

Based on USCS estimates, AI adoption in the country remains limited, with only about 14.9 percent of companies currently using AI tools.

“This is not yet a mature AI market, and many buyers are still learning what AI can do, what it cannot do, how much it will cost, and how results can be measured. For US companies, this means that the opportunity is not only to sell, but also to educate, build trust, and demonstrate practical value,” said Villanueva.

For AI companies looking to enter the market, she said it is critical to make their use case clear by helping address a specific problem with measurable outcomes while offering cost-effective solutions.

She also recommended that firms work with local partners for market access and implementation support, embed data privacy and AI governance measures early, and adopt a consultative approach with buyers.

“Buyers can be price-sensitive, and companies may face competition from lower-cost providers…So the opportunity is real, but it will require patience, education, and a clear business case,” Villanueva said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think several AI firms in the United States will proceed to tap the IT-BPM sector of the Philippines soon? What kind of business developments do you think will happen once American AI firms start investing in the Philippines’ IT-BPM sector? Do you think political scandals or government-related blunders of the Philippines might discourage American AI companies from investing?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Economy Of Japan Grows 2.1% In 1st Quarter Of 2026

Thanks to the recovery in exports and private consumption, the economy of Japan grew by 2.1% in the first quarter this year, according to a Kyodo News report. Still, there will be challenges ahead for the Japanese economy as the nation is still dependent on the Middle East for its crude oil needs and there is the possibility that the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran could start a new series of conflicts in the said region.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s economy grew an annualized real 2.1 percent in the January-March period, marking the second straight quarterly expansion, led by a recovery in exports and private consumption, government data showed Tuesday, with the full impact of the Middle East conflict yet to be felt.

In the first quarter of 2026, gross domestic product adjusted for inflation increased 0.5 percent from the October-December period, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report, beating market expectations. GDP is the total value of goods and services produced in a country.

Economists polled by the Japan Center for Economic Research had forecast an annualized real expansion of 1.56 percent while expecting growth to slow to 0.45 percent in the April-June quarter, amid concern that the Middle East crisis and surging crude oil prices will weigh on corporate profits and consumer spending.

In the January-March period, private consumption, which accounts for more than half of the economy, grew 0.3 percent, rising for the fifth straight quarter, helped by strong demand for clothing and a boost in spending at restaurants, an official said.

Spending was also underpinned by state subsidies for gas and electricity bills and solid wage growth, as rising earnings saw companies move to attract and retain talent, economists said.

But with data showing a rapid deterioration in consumer sentiment due to the Middle East conflict, its impact on private consumption warrants close attention, another government official said.

In the January-March period, exports rose 1.7 percent from the October-December quarter on a recovery in auto shipments bound for the U.S. market and strong demand for machinery and electrical devices for industrial purposes. Imports edged up 0.5 percent.

Economists said shipments to the world’s largest economy have been recovering due to receding uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy following a bilateral deal struck last year.

Business investment rose 0.3 percent from the previous quarter, with increased expenditure for research and development on the back of robust corporate profits and for general-purpose machinery and electric lighting fixtures, the first official said.

She said the impact on the data of the Middle East conflict, triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that began in late February, was unclear.

Prolonged tensions in the Middle East could affect imports of crude oil and petroleum products such as naphtha and hit exports bound for the region, economists said.

GDP was dampened 0.1 percentage point by a reduction in private inventories, apparently due to the government’s decision to release oil from stockpiles, starting with those held by the private sector.

Japan’s heavy reliance on oil imports from the Middle East makes the country vulnerable to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping artery, with surging oil prices feared to drive up inflation.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday the government will consider compiling a supplementary budget for fiscal 2026 to ease the impact of elevated crude oil prices.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the economy of Japan can still maintain its growth rate in the 2nd quarter? Do you think Japan will soon import oil from other parts of the world to reduce its dependence on the Middle East? Do you think Japan’s ties with Trump-led America will open new windows that will help Japanese exporters a lot?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

America Eyes Philippines Role In New Clark City Economic Security Zone

With New Clark City in the Philippine province of Tarlac chosen as the site for an industrial hub focused on artificial intelligence (AI) under Pax Silica, a planned economic security zone within the said city is being positioned as the United States of America aims to combine predictability and security with the manufacturing speed and scale of Asia, according to a news report by GMA News.

It should be noted that the economy of the Philippines has been slowing down and this new development could be the key to reinvigorating economic growth and attracting more investments from the United States.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

A planned “economic security zone” in New Clark City is being positioned as part of broader efforts by the United States to build more reliable supply chains for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

During a visit to the Philippines, US Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said the proposed zone aims to combine “predictability and certainty” with Asia’s manufacturing speed and scale, as global firms reassess supply chain risks.

“This is the site of a planned Economic Security Zone to fuse together the predictability and certainty of American law to the speed and scale of Asia,” Helberg said in prepared remarks delivered in New Clark City.

The initiative comes as US firms seek to reduce dependence on highly concentrated supply chains, particularly for critical components used in artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

Helberg said that while semiconductor chips often dominate discussions, the broader AI supply chain relies on a wide range of inputs—from rare earth elements and metals to motors, packaging, and testing systems.

“For each of those parts, our position today is unacceptably overconcentrated,” he said, warning that disruptions, from export restrictions to sudden regulatory changes—have already caused production delays and uncertainty for companies.

He added that when a large share of critical inputs comes from a single source, “you do not have a supply chain,” but rather a vulnerable system exposed to external shocks.

The planned economic security zone is part of efforts under what he described as the US government’s push to treat economic security as a strategic priority, particularly as demand surges alongside the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies.

Helberg also highlighted the Philippines’ role as a long-standing US partner in the region, calling the project a “partnership of a kind that has not been tried before.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this latest initiative will help the Philippines attract investors from the United States? Do you think this will help the Philippines reduce its dependence on Chinese investment when it comes to long-term, major economic developments within the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco