Axios

If a 100% tax was a stiff jab in the effort to keep Chinese EVs off U.S. roads, the Biden administration just dropped a decisive uppercut.

Between the lines: Today's newly proposed ban on certain connected-vehicle technologies is less about fixing a problem that's already here, and more about preventing what's to come.

All of a sudden there's plenty of interest in Intel.

• The chipmaker's stock rose another 3.3% today, fueled by a report that Apollo Global Management has offered to make a "multibillion-dollar investment."

State of play: The news follows several reports from Friday that Qualcomm had informally approached Intel about a takeover.

Between the lines: As Barron's noted this morning, "both attempts could be seen as signs that big potential investors are confident that Intel will be able to turn things around."

Boeing presented a new contract to its striking machinists union today, one which Boeing's chief negotiator termed a "best and final offer."

Between the lines: The company's new offer includes several sweeteners, including wage increases of 30% over four years, up from the 25% that workers had rejected less than two weeks ago, the Seattle Times reported.

• The company reportedly reiterated that it would not restore the defined-benefit pension that workers had hoped to get back.

State of play: The two sides restarted negotiations last week with a federal mediator, as 33,000 workers continue to strike.

The jewelry inside Pandora's boxes next year will contain 100% recycled silver and gold.

The company's touting the effort as a way to reduce carbon emissions.

• The process to recycle silver and gold for the volume it needs creates 58,000 tons less CO2 per year than what it would take to mine it, the company says.
• That's about how much CO2 is produced to generate a year's worth of energy to supply 10,000 homes.

Pandora's effort to fully revamp its supply channels began in December.

• The company announced yesterday that it had depleted its non-recycled inventory, and that every silver and gold piece it makes now is with recycled metal.

What's next: The first of these products will appear in stores by early 2025.

First, there was the cutting, now the talking. Fresh comments from several top Fed officials shed new light on why the central bank went with a large rate cut last week and what that portends for the future.

Why it matters: The comments point to a conviction among Fed decision-makers that the economy is basically sound and that continued expansion is likely — but that signs of a deteriorating labor market over the last couple of months have gotten their attention.

The Commerce Department is proposing a ban on Chinese software and hardware in connected and autonomous vehicles operating on U.S. roads, citing national security concerns.

Why it matters: The Biden administration is concerned that Chinese companies could collect data about U.S. drivers and infrastructure or that vehicles connected to the internet could be manipulated by foreign governments.

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan suggested in an interview broadcast Sunday that the largest-ever proposed grocery merger could increase shopping costs if the deal goes through.

Why it matters: The trial of the planned merger of Kroger and Albertsons wrapped up last week and if the court sides with the FTC and grants an injunction, it would effectively kill the deal.

Qualcomm has informally approached Intel about a takeover, in what would be the largest tech merger of all time, according to multiple reports.

Why its matters: This could reshape the U.S. tech industry, and become the next president's first major antitrust case.