Zinger Key Points
- SoftBank announces a $100 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years.
- The investment is double the $50 billion committed to the country after Donald Trump won the 2016 election.
Japanese company SoftBank SFTBFSFTBY announced a $100 billion investment and 100,000 jobs created in a commitment to the U.S. on Monday, confirming earlier reports.
What Happened: SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son made the announcement alongside President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago Monday, showing his confidence in the economic health of the U.S. since Trump won the 2024 election.
"My confidence level to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory," Son said, acknowledging Trump.
Son said he is excited to commit $100 billion and 100,000 jobs to the U.S. as a sign of confidence in what's to come.
"This is double of last time as President Trump said, because I say President Trump is a double down president. I'm going to have to double down."
Son said business is important and technology is important. The CEO also expressed confidence Trump can bring "the world into peace again."
"That's my additional hope."
Trump praised Son as one of the top voices and figures in emerging technology, calling him a "brilliant guy."
"This historic investment is a monumental demonstration of confidence in America's future, and it will help ensure that artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and other industries of tomorrow are built, created and grown right here in the U.S.A." Trump said.
Trump reminded people that SoftBank committed to invest $50 billion after the 2016 election and said that it kept that promise.
After Son spoke, Trump asked the SoftBank CEO if he would make it $200 billion, putting him on the spot for a larger commitment.
Son said his promise is for $100 billion.
"I will try to make it happen. He is a great negotiator," Son said.
Why It's Important: The $100 billion and jobs commitments will come over the next four years and could show a strengthened relationship between one of the largest Asian investment companies and the U.S.
Softbank is the owner of the Softbank Vision Fund, one of the largest technology-focused investment funds worldwide. The company is also a key investor in Arm Holdings and OpenAI.
"You'll have my support. You'll have our country's support," Trump said to Son.
The announcement could show strengthened relationships between the U.S. and Japan, which comes as the president-elect has threatened higher tariffs on goods exported from China.
Since winning the 2024 election, business leaders from the U.S. and other countries flocked to gain support from Trump and push for future growth.
Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman have each pledged $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund through their companies or personal wealth. Apple CEO Tim Cook also recently met with Trump in a potential show of support from the technology giant.
The world's richest man Elon Musk has been a supporter of Trump and is also set to have a role in the new White House administration as the co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk's influence on Trump could lead to new government regulations that could benefit Tesla and SpaceX and help add to his wealth.
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