President Donald Trump expressed a more positive view of Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei following a recent dinner, signaling a potential easing of tensions with the AI company. This shift comes as Anthropic faces ongoing disputes with the Pentagon over government contracts and export restrictions on its advanced models.

In an interview with Time Magazine published Thursday, Trump stated he left the dinner impressed by Amodei and his wife, describing the executive as highly intelligent. He noted having a somewhat different impression of him than before. The two met over dinner on Sunday, marking their first private meeting amidst a strained relationship between Anthropic and the Trump administration.

Broader AI industry engagement

A larger meeting was held Tuesday, bringing together leaders from various artificial intelligence companies and American technology firms to discuss concerns about the rapid expansion of technology and its potential impact on society. During this period, Trump also addressed his relationship with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who was absent from the luncheon. When asked about trust in Altman, Trump said he likes the OpenAI CEO and explained how the administration is dealing with individuals who have "a very high level of IQ."

Amodei and other AI industry leaders have raised concerns about technology’s potential risks to humanity, advocating for a slower pace of development and stronger safeguards around increasingly powerful systems. Conversely, Trump has opposed adding mandatory restrictions on AI, arguing that stricter regulations could hamper the industry's development and allow China to gain ground in the race to develop and deploy technology.

"If you’re going to seek regulation, they can put you out of business. But my attitude is, we’re winning against the world by a lot, and I want to keep winning," Trump said during the interview.

Regulatory context and precedents

The improved personal rapport contrasts with recent administrative actions against Anthropic. Earlier this year, the Defense Department designated the company a supply-chain risk. Additionally, the Commerce Department has restricted exports involving one of the company’s advanced AI models. Trump pointed to the administration’s agreement with Intel Corp. as a possible precedent when asked if similar deals could be considered for OpenAI or Anthropic.

What the numbers show

The divergence between Trump's personal endorsement of Amodei's intelligence and the continued regulatory pressure from the Defense and Commerce Departments highlights a complex dynamic. While the executive relationship appears to be warming, structural barriers such as supply-chain risk designations and export restrictions remain in place, suggesting that personal diplomacy may not immediately translate into regulatory relief for Anthropic.

Trump stated he is considering a diesel export ban on a daily basis, while cautioning that such a move could have a negative impact on gasoline.

Key policy remarks from Trump

On long-term Treasury auctions, Trump expressed confidence in Treasury Secretary Bessent, saying Bessent "has good instincts." The remarks signal alignment between Trump and Bessent on the management of long-term government debt issuance.

Diesel export ban and energy market implications

Trump confirmed he reviews the possibility of a diesel export ban daily. He acknowledged the measure carries a trade-off, noting it could have a negative impact on gasoline markets if enacted. No timeline or formal decision was indicated in the remarks.

Strait of Hormuz claim

Trump also asserted that the U.S. has "total control of the Strait of Hormuz," a strategically significant waterway for global energy shipments. The statement was made alongside the energy and fiscal policy comments without further elaboration on the basis for the claim.