{"id":65371,"date":"2026-07-24T20:38:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T00:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-tech-and-trade-sk-groups-ai-bet-spacex-success-and-japans-mining-breakthrough\/65371\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T20:38:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T00:38:12","slug":"global-tech-and-trade-sk-groups-ai-bet-spacex-success-and-japans-mining-breakthrough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-tech-and-trade-sk-groups-ai-bet-spacex-success-and-japans-mining-breakthrough\/65371\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Tech and Trade: SK Group\u2019s AI Bet, SpaceX Success, and Japan\u2019s Mining Breakthrough"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won<\/strong> reaffirmed a <strong>$1.4 trillion &quot;mega bet&quot;<\/strong> on AI and semiconductors, calling the massive investment projects realistic and attainable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>SpaceX<\/strong> successfully completed the 13th flight test of <strong>Starship (Ship 40)<\/strong>, achieving the &quot;softest splashdown ever&quot; in the Indian Ocean and deploying <strong>20 Starlink V3 satellites<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Japan<\/strong> reported a major breakthrough in deep-sea mining, with recovered seabed mud containing <strong>54% medium and heavy rare earth elements<\/strong>, a critical step in reducing reliance on China.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>USDA<\/strong> announced a phased reopening of southern cattle ports, including <strong>Santa Teresa and Columbus, NM<\/strong>, contingent on Mexico&#39;s progress in controlling the <strong>New World screwworm (NWS)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>SK Group\u2019s $1.4 Trillion AI Vision<\/h2>\n<p>SK Group Chairman <strong>Chey Tae-won<\/strong> has doubled down on the conglomerate&#39;s ambitious mid-to-long-term strategy, asserting that its announced &quot;mega projects&quot; are fully achievable. The plan involves a staggering <strong>2,100 trillion won (approx. $1.4 trillion)<\/strong> investment, with <strong>SK Hynix (<a href=\"\/stock\/000660\">000660<\/a>)<\/strong> slated to inject <strong>$710.5 billion<\/strong> into memory production belts in Yongin and Cheongju.<\/p>\n<p><em>The aggressive expansion aims to capitalize on exponential growth in AI memory demand, which Chey predicts will jump 50-60% next year.<\/em> To support this, <strong>SK Telecom<\/strong> will also invest <strong>$646 billion<\/strong> to establish <strong>15GW of AI data centers<\/strong> nationwide. These moves are designed to transform South Korea from an AI consumer into a leading global exporter of AI infrastructure.<\/p>\n<h2>SpaceX Starship Achieves &quot;Dream Scenario&quot;<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SpaceX<\/strong> reached a historic milestone on July 24, 2026, with the successful 13th integrated flight test of its <strong>Starship<\/strong> launch system. The mission, utilizing <strong>Booster 20<\/strong> and <strong>Ship 40<\/strong>, concluded with what mission controllers described as the &quot;softest splashdown ever&quot; in the Indian Ocean. <em>The spacecraft remained intact and floating long after impact, providing invaluable heat shield data for future reusability.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Beyond the landing success, the mission successfully deployed <strong>20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites<\/strong>, marking the first time these upgraded units have reached orbit via Starship. The flight also included a critical <strong>14-second in-space relight<\/strong> of a single Raptor engine, demonstrating the maneuvering capabilities required for future complex orbital missions.<\/p>\n<h2>Japan Challenges China\u2019s Rare Earth Dominance<\/h2>\n<p>In a significant move for global supply chain security, <strong>Japan<\/strong> announced that recent deep-sea drilling tests near <strong>Minamitorishima Island<\/strong> yielded high-quality rare earth minerals. Analysis of 50 tonnes of recovered mud showed that <strong>54%<\/strong> of the content consisted of medium and heavy rare earth elements, including <strong>yttrium, dysprosium, and gadolinium<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><em>These minerals are essential for semiconductors, electric vehicle magnets, and defense systems.<\/em> Japan plans to launch a large-scale mining trial in <strong>February 2027<\/strong>, aiming to dredge <strong>350 tons of mud per day<\/strong>. This initiative is a direct response to tightening export controls from China, which currently dominates the global rare earth market.<\/p>\n<h2>USDA Initiates Phased Border Reopening<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)<\/strong> has begun operational measures to reopen key livestock ports of entry along the southern border. Starting <strong>August 24, 2026<\/strong>, the <strong>Douglas, AZ<\/strong> port will resume cattle trade, with subsequent openings planned for <strong>Santa Teresa and Columbus, NM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Reopening remains strictly contingent on Mexico\u2019s adherence to a <strong>Joint Action Plan<\/strong> to eradicate the <strong>New World screwworm<\/strong>. <em>Every animal entering the U.S. will undergo full USDA inspection to protect the American livestock industry from the pest.<\/em> The USDA emphasized that the timeline remains flexible, with further openings in Texas dependent on Mexico&#39;s continued progress toward biosecurity goals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won reaffirmed a $1.4 trillion &quot;mega bet&quot; on AI and semiconductors, calling the massive 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