NTIMES

Header Ads

    • News
    Home Unlabelled Tech tries to get Trump's ear after shunning him during campaign

    Tech tries to get Trump's ear after shunning him during campaign

    by Unknown 1:03 AM

    [ad_1]

    AFP 546001817 A FIN USA NY

    HPE CEO Meg Whitman on president-elect Donald Trump: "We adapt and make the most of the situation."(Photo: JEWEL SAMAD, AFP/Getty Images)

    SAN FRANCISCO — For the past year, the tech industry shunned Donald Trump, and he shamed it. Now, the president-elect and the $2.9 trillion sector find themselves thrust into a shotgun marriage.

    "Much of the business is in a wait-and-see mode," says Meg Whitman, CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, one of the largest tech companies in the world and a Hillary Clinton supporter.  "We adapt and make the most of the situation."

    Many in tech supported Hillary Clinton, and they expected her to win. With Trump as president-elect, they are hastily revising plans.

    One difficulty: Trump has no discernible tech plan nor has he openly courted tech executives. For those in Silicon Valley and beyond, he is the great unknown, and his potential cabinet is creating fears of restrictions on skilled immigrant workers, weakened cybersecurity, punishing tariffs on products made in China, and unrelenting pressure to bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S.

    “Most of the planning (by tech companies) had been done under the assumption that Hillary would win,” says Deven Parekh, managing director at Insight Venture Partners. “There was a big transition team for her ready to go, which included technology-related issues.

    It's made for an uneasy climate, but tech executives and trade associations say they've accepted the election results and want to work with Team Trump.

    Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, voted for Clinton after supporting Republican candidates in the last four presidential elections. He welcomes working with the Trump administration, but doesn't know what to expect.

    “We reached out to Trump and Clinton, and we didn’t get a response from him. Am I concerned? Of course I’m concerned,” says Shapiro, whose trade organization represents more than 2,200 companies, including Amazon, Uber and Apple.

    “The people he reached out to were not in tech, but in flyover territory,” Shapiro says.

    Still, there is overlap between Silicon Valley and Trump's transition team, with its ties to real estate, venture funding and other businesses. A main connector? Peter Thiel.  The influential venture capitalist and Facebook board member donated $1.25 million to Trump's campaign. He was a delegate for Trump and spoke at the Republican National Convention. 

    Thiel doesn't have a formal role during the transition but has spent nearly two weeks advising the Trump team.

    Peter Thiel

    Peter Thiel (Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Network)

    The investor isn't the valley's only link to Trump, but he appears to be its strongest one. Joe Lonsdale, founding partner at 8VC, a Silicon Valley-based tech investment fund, and co-founder of software and services company Palantir Technologies, has his own connections to the Trump camp as well as strong ties to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.).

    A Trump spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

    Driving tech executives to find a receptive ear in the Trump administration is a platform that was generally unfriendly to the tech industry.  Trump's populist message of restrictive immigration, manufacturing in America, privacy and hard-line stance on trade agreements is of paramount concern. Conversely, his views on reduced taxation and regulation could benefit an industry with which he is a stranger.

    "Absent a tech plan, we need to look at his stances on immigration, taxation and privacy, and extrapolate how it applies to tech," says Lee Tien, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "That's a risky proposition."

    Along his improbable journey, Trump has blasted Amazon for not paying enough taxes and a surrogate of his skewered Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for perceived anti-Trump comments.

    Apple, in particular, could be in the cross-hairs of a Trump administration. Over the past year,  Trump has chastised Apple and other hardware makers to build more products in the U.S. instead of China. As a candidate, he demanded a boycott of Apple when it didn't cave to the FBI's request to hack the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino, Calif., shooters.

    Or, as has been the case with Trump the candidate vs. Trump the president-elect, was it just posturing in a preemptive negotiating tactic?

    Trump said Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates called him after his election but declined to say what they talked about, according to a meeting he had with the New York Times last week.

    The underlying contempt for elitism, as personified by West Coast-based companies with high-intellect founders and socially conscious CEOs, was articulated by White House chief strategist Steve Bannon in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

    "The globalists gutted the American working class and created a middle class in Asia. The issue now is about Americans looking to not get f—ed over. If we deliver," said Bannon. "That's what the Democrats missed. They were talking to these people with companies with a $9 billion market cap employing nine people. It's not reality. They lost sight of what the world is about."

    The thinly-veiled swipe at unicorns offers another layer of uncertainty in Silicon Valley, tech pockets throughout the U.S. and the Beltway.

    Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., a former Microsoft executive.

    Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., a former Microsoft executive. (Photo: Suzan DelBene, for USA TODAY)

    “He’s spent a lot of time on Twitter, but hasn’t said much about tech during the campaign,” says Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., a former Microsoft executive. “We need a conversation about tech and government’s use of tech. It won’t happen without input from the tech community.”

    DelBene, who has worked closely with Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., another tech alumnus, is hopeful the new administration does not derail progress on bipartisan tech issues such as privacy and Internet of Things.

    The concern is palpable from an industry that has felt the wrath of Trump's tweets and unpredictability..

    ITI CEO Dean Garfield, whose organization represents more than 60 tech companies, including Apple, Microsoft and Facebook, is optimistic about Trump’s vow to invest up to $1 trillion into infrastructure. It could be a boon for Internet of Things devices such as sensors for roadways that enable driverless cars to interact and communicate.

    A much-rumored bipartisan infrastructure plan that could bring jobs to the Rust Belt might involve tech companies, say Garfield and Shapiro. Last year, SpeakerRyan supported an infrastructure plan by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in which hundreds of billions of dollars would be raised through a one-time "repatriation" of profits from big companies' overseas earnings in exchange for lower tax rates.

    Immigration. Trump has been insistent about deporting undocumented immigrants, but has since narrowed emphasis to those with criminal records, as President Obama has done.

    Skilled guest-worker visa programs such as H-1B, which admit 65,000 workers and another 20,000 graduate student workers each year, could be curtailed at a time when the tech industry wants it expanded.

    "Tech has received great contributions from immigrants, who have started companies like Google and created jobs," DelBene says. "Immigration reform is a high priority for me, but we just don't know what may happen."

    A diminished H-1B program would "hurt us," Whitman says, "but we will adapt. We should know in six to 12 months."

    Thousands of anti-Trump protesters, including many

    Thousands of anti-Trump protesters demonstrate in New York. (Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images)

    Privacy and encryption. Civil libertarians and trade organizations cringe at the thought of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., ascending to Attorney General and unleashing the National Security Agency and other intelligence-gathering operations under a law-and-order administration that Trump has promised.

    Rob Atkinson, president of Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, is bracing for a more aggressive push for data from tech companies to fight terrorism. Such a stance could undercut the flow of data between the U.S. and other countries, he says, out of fear of NSA snooping.

    Meanwhile, Issa and others worry about someone already in office: FBI Director James Comey, who publicly clashed with Apple over cracking the iPhone of shooter Syed Rizwan Farook.

    “Expect the FBI to double-down on a situation similar to Apple’s,” says Christopher Dore, a partner specializing in tech issues at Edelson PC in Chicago.

    Trade agreements. Trump's hard line against imports from China — he's proposed a 45% tariff — and Mexico (35%) would have far repercussions for companies like Apple, whose iPhone and other products are assembled in China.

    “If we go down a protectionist path and spurn (trade agreement Trans-Pacific Partnership), it will be a transformative change that favors China," Shapiro says. "Leaving NAFTA would be a strategic mistake that hurts Ford and General Motors.”

    The nomination of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) — who has negotiated global economic deals the last few years — as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations could hint at greater flexibility.

    South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during the 2016

    South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during the 2016 National Lawyers Convention sponsored by the Federalist Society in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Photo: Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images)

    Taxation and regulations. HPE Chief Financial Officer Tim Stonesifer says the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company and others would benefit from a corporate tax rate reduced to 15% from 35% and a plan that “will provide a deemed repatriation of corporate profits held offshore at a one-time tax rate of 10 percent,” according to Trump's website.

    Moves to lower rates, simplify the tax system, maintain R&D tax credit and ease decades-old regulations to raise capital benefit small businesses, says Karen Kerrigan, CEO of The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, an advocacy organization with more than 100,000 members in the U.S.

    Lighter regulations could accelerate the market for drones and driverless cars which, in turn, could help the Internet of Things, says Atkinson.

    For now, however, it's wait and adapt.

    "Judge Trump by who he appoints to his cabinet," Issa says.

    Contributing: Jessica Guynn in San Francisco.

    Follow USA TODAY San Francisco Bureau Chief Jon Swartz @jswartz on Twitter.

    Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/2gBb9nu


    [ad_2]
    Tech tries to get Trump's ear after shunning him during campaign Tech tries to get Trump's ear after shunning him during campaign Reviewed by Unknown on 1:03 AM Rating: 5
    Tags :
    SHARE THIS
    Share it Tweet Share it Share it Pin it

    You Might Also Like

    No comments :

    Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

    Facebook

    Recent

    ads

    Popular

    • The new politics of fear - Washington Post
      PARIS French Socialist President François Hollande knew which way the winds were blowing. His  announcement last week that he would not ...
    • Massive Ancient Statue Discovered Submerged In Mud In Cairo - NPR
      A quartzite colossus possibly of Ramses II and limestone bust of Seti II have been discovered at the ancient Heliopolis archaeologica...
    • Anchorage snowboarder ascends to her sport's biggest stage - Alaska Dispatch News
      After crushing it in the minor leagues, Anchorage's Rosie Mancari is ready for the big leagues. A dominant force on the Nor-Am...
    • Trinity Test, Proyek Nuklir Pertama yang Jadi Awal Petaka Dunia
      Berkembangnya ilmu pengetahuan tak melulu menghasilkan hal-hal bagus dan bermanfaat. Sebaliknya, kadang justru lantaran ilmu pengetahuan, s...
    • Candi Sukuh, Piramida Jawa yang Pembangunannya Masih Menyisakan Misteri Hingga Sekarang
      Candi Sukuh dikenal sebagai salah satu candi paling muda di Indonesia. Pembangunannya dilakukan pada akhirnya masa kerajaan Majapahit. Pada ...
    • Fantastic Beasts' Eddie Redmayne is spotted taking the London tube AGAIN - Daily Mail
      [ad_1] He's got an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Tony award under his belt, millions in the bank, is the star of one of this year's biggest b...
    • Sanders: GOP health care plan gives wealthiest a $275 billion tax break - PolitiFact
      Sanders: GOP health care plan gives wealthiest a $275 billion tax break - PolitiFact
      The GOP health care plan gives "$275 billion in tax breaks for the top 2 percent, people earning $250,000 a year or more....
    • Sport and Society for Arete -Denial - Huffington Post
      It seems that by now most everyone, except Patriot and Falcon fans, should have fully recovered from the Super Bowl. As someone who has seen...
    • 10 Museum Paling Menyeramkan di Dunia
      Meskipun kadang tidak populer sebagai tujuan wisata, tapi museum tak diragukan lagi adalah salah satu tempat paling menyenangkan yang pernah...
    • Scientists drawn into politics, in a bid to defend science - Christian Science Monitor
      Last updated: January 30, 2017 12:56 pm EST">January 28, 2017 — Facing a possible crackdown on free speech for researchers within...

    Comments


    • 544268

    • 544268

    • 544268

    • 544268

    • 544268

    • 544268

    • 544268

    • 544268

    • 544268

    Ads

    Categories

    • News
    • Politics
    • Sport

    Travel

    Flickr

    Blog Archive

    • ►  2017 ( 806 )
      • ►  March ( 244 )
      • ►  February ( 212 )
      • ►  January ( 350 )
    • ▼  2016 ( 1594 )
      • ►  December ( 411 )
      • ▼  November ( 804 )
        • Keeping Up With The Kardashians is STILL filming d...
        • The biggest challenge to diversifying tech talent ...
        • Balqis, Sosok Ratu Tercantik yang Pernah Hidup di ...
        • Fidel Castro's ashes begin final journey across Cu...
        • Bella Thorne, Post Tyler Posey Breakup, Takes to H...
        • Trump nominee for health programs signals changes ...
        • The Depressing Toyota Of The Future May Suggest An...
        • Jemparingan, Tradisi Panahan Kuno Asli Yogyakarta ...
        • Tech Under Trump - WNYC
        • Tornado kills 3, destroys daycare center in Alabam...
        • Eight months pregnant woman and unborn daughter ki...
        • 'Ronnie O'Sullivan should know better': World Snoo...
        • Goldman Sachs at Center of Politics, Money and Pub...
        • At least five dead after tornadoes rip through Sou...
        • Deep tech ascent: Europe's emerging digital indust...
        • Trump to Announce Carrier Plant Will Keep Jobs in ...
        • Why Studying Middle East Politics Helped This Expe...
        • Trump to Announce Carrier Plant Will Keep Jobs in ...
        • Women Could Pay More Than Men For Health Care Unde...
        • Miami Neighborhood Gets a High-Tech Makeover
        • How Cubans Live as Long as Americans at a Tenth of...
        • From enemies to potential allies: How the Trump-Ro...
        • Photographing Money, People and Politics - TIME
        • An ocean of water is found 620 miles below Earth's...
        • Aryan Brotherhood, Si Gangster Bengis yang Bikin P...
        • Aging with grace: Tips for good health after 40 - ...
        • Tech tries to get Trump's ear after shunning him d...
        • 'People were basically running for their lives': A...
        • Children better protected in sport than ever, says...
        • A Brief History of Aviation Disasters in Sport - TIME
        • Trump names anti-Obamacare congressman Tom Price h...
        • Politics and Markets: Won't Get Fooled Again? - Wa...
        • Tech Talk: Get on the hi-tech bus
        • Fu Hao, Jenderal Perang Wanita Terbaik Dunia yang ...
        • Cheryl keeps mum on pregnancy rumours
        • Rohrer Named Honda Sport Award Nominee For Cross C...
        • The Best 'Cyber Week' Deals On Clothes, Tech, Trav...
        • New 'body of evidence' unveils fracking threats to...
        • Desperate scenes in Syria attack aftermath filmed ...
        • Residents of rebel Aleppo face starvation as gover...
        • How I Use Facebook Groups To Grow My Business - Fa...
        • Big Data Coming In Faster Than Biomedical Research...
        • Home Prices Recover Ground Lost During Bust - Wall...
        • 5 Great Tech And Engineering Internships For 2017 ...
        • Big Earthquakes Occur Where Faults Are Mostly Flat...
        • Our Profiteering Health Insurance Industry: Should...
        • Trump Excuses the White Working Class From the Pol...
        • Suspect Is Killed in Attack at Ohio State Universi...
        • Under Fidel Castro, Sport Symbolized Cuba's Streng...
        • Brexit and Trump could be good news for Canada's t...
        • Politics In The News: Transition And Recount - NPR
        • Spice Girls' Emma Bunton confirms leaked GEM singl...
        • More people are applying for UK tech visas post-Br...
        • Health care refugees: Family flees Florida to save...
        • AT&T to launch new DirecTV Now service Nov. 30 - U...
        • Sadiq Khan has appointed a business advisory board...
        • The Daily 202: Romney twisting in the wind offers ...
        • Syria conflict: Rebels lose third of east Aleppo t...
        • At World Chess Championship, Familiar Overtones of...
        • 5 tech gifts you should definitely avoid this holi...
        • Sidney Reilly, Si ‘James Bond’ Asli yang Ternyata ...
        • Energy Firms Step Up Business Investment - Wall St...
        • The ten things Australia needs to do to improve he...
        • Sheriff's deputies search Gilroy hotel for escaped...
        • Barry Bennell victim David Lean told police but 'n...
        • City looks to increase adult sport options - Roche...
        • Should tech companies mimic Trump's marketing?
        • What Trump Can Learn From Obama's Rough Ride on He...
        • Will Hillary Clinton's Defeat Set Back Women In Po...
        • Honey G's X Factor performance is highjacked by pr...
        • 7 tech innovations of 2016 - USA TODAY
        • Cubans to throng Revolution Square in mourning for...
        • 4 Daerah di Indonesia yang Terkenal dengan Kesakti...
        • Tesla is entering the solar business at a terrible...
        • Syrian army Aleppo advance displaces thousands - F...
        • NASCAR VP reminds fans every sport has its shortco...
        • Tech Q&A: Hide online shopping purchases during th...
        • Political Road Map: Revamped primaries changed Cal...
        • 4 Produk yang Tiba-tiba Viral di Indonesia karena ...
        • Trump, and Great Business Ideas for America
        • MORE THAN A SPORT More than a sport - Grand Island...
        • NWI hospital systems embrace population health man...
        • HEALTH NOTES: Most people still use A&E services o...
        • Box Office: 'Moana' Scores Huge $81M Thanksgiving ...
        • Box Office: 'Moana' Scores Huge $81M Thanksgiving ...
        • Technology as a force for division — and unificati...
        • Chinese Tech Giant Huawei's Latest Smartphone Face...
        • Nick Cannon stands by his statements that Planned ...
        • Virginia Tech bludgeons Virginia 52-10 for 13th co...
        • Kisah Yuri Gagarin, Kosmonaut Rusia yang Sangat Di...
        • Competing groups are trying to define the Dakota A...
        • Clinton campaign will participate in Wisconsin rec...
        • Theresa May carries on Labour's business pay crack...
        • Joe Redner, from politics to pot - Tampabay.com
        • Michael Gove Renews Attack On 'Expert' Economists,...
        • Virginia Tech football thumps rival Virginia for 1...
        • Break your child from these 7 harmful health habit...
        • Sejarah Agama Yahudi di Indonesia yang Tidak Diket...
        • Trump, and Great Business Ideas for America - New ...
        • Will Obama hold fire on Trump? - The Hill
      • ►  October ( 379 )

    Random Posts

    Tags

    • News
    • Politics
    • Sport

    Recent in Sports

    Created By Sora Templates | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates
    Powered by Blogger.