Meta Platforms (META, Financial) points to a potential thaw in relations with President-elect Donald Trump as CEO Mark Zuckerberg pursues a more active role in developing the U.S. tech policy.
Meta's president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, said Zuckerberg is keen on engaging in conversations on U.S. leadership covering tech, on the back of global instability and the growing relevance of artificial intelligence. Clegg feels Zuckerberg will be looking to play a critical role defining America's technological future, stressing Meta's role as an imperative in fostering national competitiveness.
The overture shows a more general reorientation of Meta's positioning, which Trump has criticized in the past for apparently suppressing conservative opinions. Trump's tone changed after Zuckerberg allegedly reassured him of the platform's impartiality during the forthcoming 2024 election campaign, even though he had warned of dire consequences.
Zuckerberg's recent visit at a Mar-a-Lago event sponsored by Trump effectively promotes cooperation between the tech giant and the government as Meta looks to influence AI-related and more generalized tech industry policies.
Reflecting investor trust in the company's artificial intelligence and improved regulatory relations approach, Meta stock has surged 20% over the past three months and 29% in six months. In the broader tech environment, Meta's stance could be really important if debates on tech control get more heated.
