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

Lucid Motors Acquires Nikola Assets in Bankruptcy Deal

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Motors—a Silicon Valley startup focused on building advanced EVs—placed the highest bid in a bankruptcy auction for Nikola Corporation’s facilities and assets, and won. Nikola filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2025. After a competitive, multi-round bidding process, Lucid came out on top, though the sale is still subject to final court approval.
Smartphones, Computers, Other Tech Devices Exempt from China Tariffs

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Just days after imposing a 145% tariff on imports from China, President Trump announced that tech devices, such as smartphones and computers, are exempt from these tariffs. The 145% tariff on Chinese imports sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. Companies like Apple—which manufactures most of its products in China—were bracing for a big financial hit. Analysts warned iPhone prices could skyrocket to $3,500, and Apple’s market value nosedived by over $640 billion in a matter of days.
China Exempts Outsourced U.S. Chip Manufacturing from Retaliatory Tariffs

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

After announcing retaliatory tariffs of 125% in response to President Trump’s 145% tariff on Chinese imports, China has now provided an exception to these tariffs for U.S. chipmakers that outsource their manufacturing to other countries. China’s semiconductor industry body has clarified that chips designed by U.S. firms but manufactured overseas—specifically at Taiwan’s TSMC—will be classified as Taiwanese, not American.
Amazon Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum |Audrey Altmann

Image credit: Shutterstock/Cari Rubin PhotographyAs the biggest multinational technology company, Amazon continues to lead in online retail, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital streaming services. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, and Arlington, VA, Amazon operates through three main business segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Since its launch in 1995, Amazon quickly became one of the world’s largest online retailers.
SpaceX Plans to Send Optimus Robots to Explore Mars

1 week ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Despite originally being designed as household assistants, Tesla’s Optimus robots appear to have been assigned a much bigger task: exploring the surface of Mars. Elon Musk has announced plans to send Tesla’s Optimus robots to Mars—potentially by the end of next year, if all goes according to plan. The announcement was made by Musk on Twitter on March 15, 2025. Musk has made his intentions of getting humans on Mars quite clear, with SpaceX—his aerospace company—working with NASA towards this goal.
Trump Postpones Tariffs for 90 Days for All Countries Except China

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum |Audrey Altmann

On April 9, 2025, just days after his global tariffs took effect, President Trump announced a 90-day pause following outreach from over 75 countries eager to negotiate. The reciprocal tariff baseline will stay at 10% and applies to all affected countries except one—China, which has been hit with an aggressive 125% tariff, effective immediately.
U.S. Steel Shares Surge Following Order for New Review of Nippon Deal

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Good news for legendary American manufacturer U.S. Steel—shares are up after President Trump ordered a new national security review of the proposed acquisition by Japan’s Nippon Steel. Nippon Steel wants to buy U.S. Steel for around $15 billion—a big offer that U.S. Steel has already agreed to. But the deal has raised red flags in Washington, with concerns about foreign ownership of this important American company so closely linked to U.S. manufacturing and defense supply chains.
Nissan Halts U.S. Orders for Infiniti SUVs Built in Mexico

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum |Audrey Altmann

On April 3, giant Japanese automaker Nissan announced that it would not be taking on any new orders from the U.S. for two of its Infiniti SUVs. Following the commencement of the new 25% tariffs on vehicle imports to the U.S., Nissan has decided to scale back production at its Mexican plant. The Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes — a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz — produces the Infiniti QX50 and QX55. Mercedes-Benz, however, will keep building its GLB SUV at the plant.
GM Plans to Boost Truck Production Output at Indiana Assembly Plant

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

Giant automaker General Motors Co. (GM) is stepping up production at its Indiana factory, where it builds its popular full-size pickup trucks. On April 3—the same day President Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported vehicles took effect—GM announced “operational adjustments” at its Fort Wayne Assembly plant. These include hiring hundreds of temporary workers to support both current operations and an expected production increase. The company hasn’t yet confirmed the exact figures.
ExxonMobil Louisiana Facility Upgrade to Strengthen Domestic Tech Supply Chain

2 weeks ago | thomasnet.com | Kat de Naoum

ExxonMobil is investing over $100 million to upgrade its Baton Rouge Complex in Louisiana, which is expected to be completed by 2027. The upgrade aims to strengthen the domestic technology supply chain, particularly in the semiconductor industry. The reason behind ExxonMobil’s hefty facility upgrade investment is to enhance its isopropyl alcohol (IPA) production.