Kat de Naoum

Writer at Freelance

Commerce Editor-at-Large at Thomas

Mother • Writer • Reader • Hermit • Scwewy Wabbit • English Lit/Philosophy • Author repped by @theagencybooks

Articles

Nearshoring: A Practical Alternative to Offshoring and Outsourcing?

4 days ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum |Audrey Altmann

What are companies doing to cope with the United States’ current trade war with China? Leaving. At least that’s the case for many large American companies and even some smaller companies that rely on supply lines in China for low-priced goods but are looking for a way out of paying the new tariffs. While the U.S. government is urging companies to bring production back to their own country, this is not always feasible. Moving to a nearby location, however, is a lot more realistic.
Trump Pledges to Double Steel, Aluminum Tariffs to 50%

5 days ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

On May 30, 2025, President Trump announced plans to double the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imported into the U.S. The new 50% tariff will take effect June 4. The announcement was made during Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania, where he celebrated a $14.9 billion deal between U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel. This location is also where Trump first announced steel tariffs during his previous term. Later that day, he tweeted that the increased tariff would also apply to aluminum.
Volvo to Integrate Google’s Gemini AI into Vehicles, Accelerate In-Car Tech

5 days ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Volvo Cars is working more closely with Google to put Gemini AI—a smarter version of Google’s voice assistant—into its cars. This move will not only improve the driving experience for Volvo’s vehicles, but for the “entire automotive industry.”Gemini—Google’s newest AI assistant—is a lot more advanced than the tech giant’s older version. For starters, it allows you to talk to it more naturally.
U.S. Restricts Jet Engine, Semiconductor Chip Tech Exports to China

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

The U.S. government has suspended exports of some critical technologies to China, announcing two major export restrictions that will affect key sectors such as aviation and semiconductor manufacturing. One of the restrictions pertains to the sale of certain jet engine components and software to China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC, which is developing the C919 passenger jet.
U.S. Army Deploys Micro-Drone that Navigates the Dark Without GPS

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

The U.S. Military has deployed a tiny drone with massive capabilities, calling it the “new frontier of advanced weapons technology.”Don’t be fooled by its size. This tiny drone, weighing just 33 grams, can travel up to 1.2 miles and stay in the air for around 25 minutes per flight. Despite its micro size, it packs some impressive features that make it an indispensable tool for military operations.
BMW i7 Becomes First Vehicle to Test All-Solid-State Battery Technology

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

After years of research and development, all-solid-state battery (ASSB) technology is finally making its debut in a vehicle—the BMW i7. ASSBs come with several advantages over conventional electric vehicle (EV) batteries. They offer higher energy density, meaning they can store more energy in a smaller space. This could potentially make the vehicle lighter and increase its driving range. Unlike traditional batteries, which use liquid electrolytes, ASSBs use a solid electrolyte.
Pentagon Accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for Air Force One Use

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Controversy has sparked after the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) formally accepted a Boeing 747-8 from Qatar, intended for potential use as a future Air Force One. The aircraft—a luxurious, 13-year-old Boeing 747-8 described as a “palace in the sky”—was previously owned by the royal family of QatarQatar transferred the plane to the U.S. government in 2024, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s approval.
Boeing Targets Consistent 737 MAX Production Output

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Boeing has announced plans to increase production of its 737 MAX jets, aiming for 38 aircraft per month, with a strong focus on safety. This update comes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a production cap following a mid-air panel blowout incident in January 2024. Boeing is now producing as many 737 MAX aircraft as legally allowed under the cap—38 jets per month, essentially double its current output—for at least the next few months.
OpenAI Acquires AI Device Startup io for $6.4B

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

On May 21, 2025, OpenAI announced its largest-ever acquisition—the company is buying AI device startup io from Jony Ive and partners for approximately $6.4 billion. In a mega all-equity deal with $6.4 billion in stock, OpenAI—valued at $300 billion—is acquiring io. The software company has previously collaborated with io and already holds a 23% minority stake in the startup. This move marks OpenAI’s expansion into hardware as well.
SharkNinja to Relocate Nearly All Manufacturing from China by End of 2025

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Appliance manufacturing company SharkNinja, which has been on a mission to take its manufacturing out of China for over six years, has now announced that the move will be complete by the end of this year. The Massachusetts-based manufacturer began rethinking its operations in 2018 after the steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports were introduced during the Trump administration’s first term.