U.S. Vice President Vance answered reporters’ questions at the airport before departing for Kansas to campaign ahead of the midterm elections in November.
Assessing the Houthis’ attempt to seize Mayyun Island, Vance said the development was concerning. Vance said they were closely monitoring the situation in the region and maintaining regular communication with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other relevant parties.
Vance also said they were holding direct talks with the Houthis. Saying he believed the situation was under control, Vance noted that the dynamics in the region were constantly changing and said the United States would continue to protect its interests.
Message of confidence in the Pentagon
Asked whether his calls to military leaders in the region to receive updates on developments in the Middle East were linked to his confidence in the Pentagon, Vance said he trusted U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Dan Kane.
Vance said he found a report on the matter very strange. He said the report created the impression that the vice president was calling admirals and generals to understand U.S. foreign policy.
Call for compromise on artificial intelligence
Vance also called it strange that industry executives were urging a slowdown in the technology to prevent artificial intelligence from crossing a dangerous threshold. He likened the demands by many advanced artificial intelligence companies for government regulation to a “Trojan horse” and said caution was necessary.
Vance said artificial intelligence had benefits as well as risks, and noted that President Donald Trump had highlighted the long-term competition between the United States and China. He said the United States wanted to take rational steps, closely monitor developments and stay ahead of its competitors.
Vance said he did not believe the American people should be afraid of artificial intelligence and stated that Congress and the White House needed to reach a compromise on the issue. He said such a compromise would make it possible to take lasting steps.
