Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 35 martyrs, 75 injured in occupation targeting of civilians seeking food aid in Rafah, Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Da Silva: What is happening in Gaza is not a war, it is a genocide
Da Silva: Even the Jewish people do not want this war; it is revenge by a government against the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state
Brazilian President Lula da Silva: What we are seeing is not a war between two armies. [What we have is a] completely professional army that is killing women and children in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We affirm our readiness to immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on the points of contention
Hamas: We welcome the continued Qatari and Egyptian efforts to end the war waged by the Zionist occupation against our people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces blew up Noura Al-Kaabi Hospital, designated for kidney dialysis patients, in the northern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone targets a car on the Ayta al-Shaab-Debel road in southern Lebanon
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The remaining airlines that have not yet complied with the ban are urged to take this into serious consideration to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The YAF, after successfully imposing a partial ban on air traffic at Lydd Airport, are now working to impose a full ban on air traffic at the aforementioned airport in the coming period

US, Japan discuss plan to build high-speed rails in Texas

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 9 Apr 2024 15:40
4 Min Read

The project stands at a hypothetical $30 million amid expected opposition and political hurdles.

  • x
  • U.S. President Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a joint news conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, not visible, on Aug. 18, 2023 (AP)
    US President Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a joint news conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, not visible, on August 18, 2023. (AP)

US President Joe Biden is seeking to revitalize a plan to build high-speed train rails spread across Texas, employing Japanese bullet trains. Reuters reported that the president was expected to discuss the project with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to Washington this week. 

Both officials could publicly advocate for the Texas project following their Wednesday talks, which could be overshadowed by another Japanese-US deal entailing the sale of US steel to Nippon's Steel. 

The last time a Japanese official made an official visit to the United States was nine years ago. As Kishida's visit marks a milestone in Biden's governance, the move signifies the development of bilateral economic relations between both countries. 

On Wednesday, Kishida and Biden would discuss the rails project connecting Houston and Dallas, sources informed on the topic stated. However, the project currently remains a hypothetical pursuit rather than a fully developed plan, rendering a public announcement unlikely. 

Private benefit trumps societal development

The project itself would need between $25 million to $30 million to mature but is currently being challenged in Texas and Congress, despite the benefits it would bring. 

The United States has received several proposals for the development of railways across Texas. This is due to the extensive distances between its cities and towns, the wide commuter population, and the lack of transportation services. 

None of the previous discussions were materialized due to political contending, the complex structure of land ownership, and increasing costs. 

However, if the project is supported by both Biden and Kishida, it would unlock money from the Federal Railroad Administration, other Department of Transportation funds, and massive private investments. 

It would also cut commute times shorter to 90 minutes, instead of 3 hours and a half. 

Related News

'Israel' kills 75 Palestinians near US Gaza 'aid centers'

White House reportedly pauses new US sanctions on Iran amid talks: WSJ

Opposition from US Republicans 

Japanese state-owned financial institutions, such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, have extended loans to support the development of the project, which aims to acquire bullet train technology from Central Japan Railways Company.

Advancement in this sphere would align with the goals of the Biden administration, which has been advocating for environmentally friendly policies and investment in railway infrastructure.

However, this initiative is likely to face criticism, particularly from Republican lawmakers. Historically, they have opposed the allocation of public funds for rail projects, and currently, they are against using these funds for the reconstruction of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was damaged by a cargo ship last month.

The potential endorsement from leaders comes after Biden's objection to Nippon Steel's proposal to acquire US Steel Corp, insisting that it should stay under American ownership. Biden, who approved a $1 trillion infrastructure package in 2021, allocating $66 billion for railway initiatives, is set to go head-to-head with Donald Trump in a rematch of the presidential election in November.

As voters prioritize the economy as their primary concern, President Biden has been advocating for government-supported construction projects, which his advisors assert could generate employment opportunities and alleviate inflationary pressures.

Biden's approval rating in free fall over handling of war on Gaza

As Biden's presidency walks a thin line with the approach of the elections, the current president is scurrying to find projects and campaigns to ensure his win, specifically amid a free-falling popularity rating. 

Biden's complicity in the war on Gaza has further contributed to his disapproval rating with 22% saying the President was greatly responsible, 23% saying "fairly" responsible, and 21% saying "somewhat responsible".

Over a quarter (23%) of Generation Z voters (born between 1997 and 2012) held Biden primarily accountable for the humanitarian crisis, and 22% of millennials (1981-1996) blamed him the most. 

Osamah F. Khalil, a US foreign relations and Middle East expert, told Newsweek that youth and minorities, in particular, believe Biden's administration is complicit in the genocide.

"He appears to be avoiding college campuses. We haven't seen much of Kamala Harris, the vice president, either," Khalil noted.

Khalil added that despite "wringing Netanyahu's hand" in public, many voters believe the current administration is "absolutely hand in glove with what the Israelis are doing and what Netanyahu is doing."

Read more: US court to listen to case on Biden's complicity in Gaza genocide

  • United States
  • Texas
  • Japan
  • Fumio Kishida
  • Joe Biden
  • 2024 US elections

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume in Istanbul amid escalating war
Europe

Ukraine, Russia head for Istanbul talks as battles rage, cmdr. resigns

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood
Asia Pacific

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood

‘Israel’ lost international legitimacy for war on Gaza: Israeli media
Palestine

‘Israel’ lost 'international legitimacy' for Gaza war: Israeli media

MSF Chief: US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza ‘Dehumanising’
Politics

US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza used as tool for forced displacement: MSF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS