When Great Powers Set the Table

“Meet on the Level, act by the Plumb, part upon the Square.”

The Day in Brief

• Trump-Xi summit approaches with trade, Taiwan, Iran, and AI on the table — U.S. and Chinese officials are preparing for a Beijing meeting amid strained ties and global market pressure.
• Hegseth faces congressional questioning on the Iran war and defense budget — lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon on war powers, costs, strategy, and military needs.
• eBay rejects GameStop’s $55.5 billion takeover bid — eBay’s board dismissed the non-binding cash-and-stock proposal after reviewing financing and operational concerns.
• FDA authorizes first non-tobacco and non-menthol ENDS products — the agency allowed four Glas vaping products for adults 21 and older, with access controls and marketing limits.
• Montana judge blocks Election Day registration restrictions — a state court paused SB 490 and kept full-day Election Day registration in place while the case continues.

The Working Tools Used Today

Common Gavel: The Common Gavel is an instrument used by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder’s use; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds, as living stones, for that spiritual building — that house not made with hands — eternal in the heavens.

24-Inch Gauge: The Twenty-Four-Inch Gauge is an instrument used by operative masons to measure and lay out their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time — that we may render eight hours to the service of God and a distressed worthy brother, eight to our usual vocations, and eight to refreshment and sleep.

Level: The Level is an instrument used by operative masons to prove horizontals; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of walking upon the level of time with all mankind — that we may ever be reminded that, upon that grand level where all must meet, nature has made us equal.

Plumb: The Plumb is an instrument used by operative masons to try perpendiculars; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of admonishing us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the Square of Virtue, and remembering that we are traveling upon the plumb line of rectitude toward that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.

Square: The Square is an instrument used by operative masons to square their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of squaring our actions by the rule of virtue — that our conduct toward God, our neighbor, and ourselves may ever be founded in morality, equity, and justice.

Trowel: The Trowel is an instrument used by operative masons to spread the cement which unites a building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection — that cement which unites us into one sacred band of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble emulation of who can best work and best agree.

Trump-Xi Summit Approaches With Trade, Taiwan, Iran, and AI on the Table

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for a mid-May summit in Beijing, with U.S.-China talks expected to cover trade, technology, Taiwan, the Iran war, rare earths, and energy security, according to CSIS analysis of the summit agenda. CNBC reported that the meeting is expected Thursday, May 14, with a preliminary meeting between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent planned in South Korea. AP’s earlier reporting described Beijing’s stated desire for a more stable relationship and noted that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for both sides to prepare for high-level talks. The story matters because the available sources describe a meeting that could affect U.S. tariffs, supply chains, Taiwan policy, AI competition, and energy markets at the same time.

Common Gavel: The available sources show preparation for talks, but they do not yet show either government correcting the underlying disputes over trade pressure, sanctions, Taiwan, or technology controls.

24-Inch Gauge: The scheduled leader-level and finance-level meetings suggest some ordering of time and duty, though the agenda may be too heavy for one summit to bear cleanly.

Level: Both governments appear to be putting their concerns before the other side, but smaller states affected by tariffs, energy prices, and rare earth controls remain mostly outside the room.

Plumb: The available sources do not provide enough information to assess the Plumb in this case.

Square: The fairness of any outcome cannot yet be weighed because the sources describe diplomatic aims rather than a finished agreement.

Trowel: If confirmed by later action, the talks could spread civic cement by reducing public strain from energy and trade shocks; at this stage, that remains only possible.

Masonic Assessment: According to the sources, it appears both sides partially met on the Level by agreeing to direct talks, cannot yet be assessed as having acted by the Plumb, and have not yet parted upon the Square because the public record does not show a completed result. The Trowel remains the test after the meeting: whether any agreement binds rather than merely bargains.

Sources: CSIS — Trump-Xi 2026 Summit · CNBC — From Singapore to Brussels, world leaders eye Trump-Xi summit from afar · AP — China hopes 2026 will be a ‘landmark year’ for relationship with US

Hegseth Faces Congressional Questioning on Iran War and Defense Budget

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine were listed as witnesses for a House Appropriations defense budget hearing, according to the committee’s hearing page. AP reported that Hegseth faced a new round of congressional questioning Tuesday over the Iran war, the proposed 2027 military budget, the War Powers Act, fuel prices, and the status of the Strait of Hormuz. PBS previously reported that an earlier hearing disclosed an estimated $25 billion cost for the Iran conflict and aired questions from lawmakers about strategy, military resources, and domestic economic effects. The matter matters because the sources place war authority, public cost, and military readiness in the same frame, with Congress asking whether the administration’s plans match legal duties and public burdens.

Common Gavel: The Pentagon appeared before Congress and gave some budget and operational answers, but lawmakers still pressed for strategy, cost, and war-powers clarity.

24-Inch Gauge: The facts do not yet show whether time and duty were ordered well, because an active conflict, a large proposed budget, and disputed war-powers claims remain in tension.

Level: Congress met public officials on the Level by calling them to answer in a public budget setting where public cost and military risk could be examined.

Plumb: The available facts suggest the Plumb remains under inspection because the hearing tested whether legal and strategic explanations hold uprightly.

Square: The matter has not yet parted upon the Square because costs, blockade questions, and congressional authorization issues remain unresolved.

Trowel: The Trowel would require candor that binds public trust; according to the sources, that trust is still being tested through oversight.

Masonic Assessment: According to the available sources, Congress appears to have met the witnesses on the Level, while the administration’s Plumb and Square remain unsettled until strategy, authority, and cost are clearer. If the Trowel is to be used here, it must spread public trust through plain answers rather than partisan heat.

Sources: House Appropriations Committee — Budget Hearing: The Department of Defense · AP — Hegseth is facing a new round of questioning from Congress on the Iran war and more · PBS NewsHour — Hegseth’s contentious hearing in Congress reveals partisan divide over Iran war

eBay Rejects GameStop’s $55.5 Billion Takeover Bid

GameStop said on May 3 that it submitted a non-binding proposal to acquire all of eBay for $125 per share in half cash and half GameStop stock, valuing the offer at about $55.5 billion and citing a 5% economic stake in eBay. CNBC reported Tuesday that eBay rejected the bid, with board chair Paul Pressler saying the offer lacked credibility and was not appealing, while raising doubts about financing. The Guardian also reported that eBay’s board rejected the proposal after weighing financing uncertainty, debt questions, and operational risks. The story matters because one public company’s attempted purchase of a much larger marketplace places shareholder value, debt risk, corporate strategy, and market trust before investors who must judge whether the proposal is serious or speculative.

Common Gavel: eBay appears to have used the Gavel by reviewing the offer and rejecting what it viewed as flawed, while GameStop has not yet shown correction of financing concerns.

24-Inch Gauge: eBay appears to have ordered its duties toward shareholders by giving an answer after review; GameStop’s timing and financing remain open questions.

Level: Shareholders were partially met on the Level because the offer terms, financing claims, and caveats were public.

Plumb: eBay appears to have acted by the Plumb by stating its board’s concerns directly rather than leaving investors to infer the reason.

Square: The proposed transaction has not yet parted upon the Square because financing and operational risk remain material.

Trowel: The available facts do not show the Trowel at work yet; a hostile path, if pursued, could strain rather than bind the affected parties.

Masonic Assessment: According to the available sources, eBay appears to have met shareholders on the Level and acted by the Plumb through direct disclosure. The proposal has not yet parted upon the Square, and the Trowel remains absent unless the companies move from pressure toward a process that respects all affected stakeholders.

Sources: GameStop — GameStop Proposes to Acquire eBay at $125.00 Per Share · CNBC — EBay rejects GameStop’s audacious $56 billion takeover bid · The Guardian — GameStop’s $55.5bn bid for eBay rejected as ‘neither credible nor attractive’

FDA Authorizes First Non-Tobacco and Non-Menthol ENDS Products

The FDA said it authorized marketing for four Glas electronic nicotine delivery system products through the premarket tobacco product application pathway, marking the agency’s first authorization of non-tobacco and non-menthol ENDS products. AP reported that the products include mango, blueberry, and two menthol varieties marketed as Gold, Sapphire, Classic Menthol, and Fresh Menthol, and that the decision does not amount to an FDA approval or endorsement. NPR’s interview with former FDA tobacco official Mitch Zeller described the decision as a major shift and discussed concerns about political pressure and agency independence. The story matters because the available sources frame the authorization as a public-health tradeoff: adult smokers may gain access to regulated alternatives, while youth access and scientific review remain central concerns.

Common Gavel: FDA partially applied the Gavel by attaching access controls, marketing limits, and monitoring, while youth appeal and political-pressure concerns remain unresolved.

24-Inch Gauge: FDA appears to have balanced adult access and youth protection in its stated reasoning, but the long-term order of those priorities cannot yet be assessed.

Level: Adult smokers and youth were both considered in the record, though the balance may be disputed by public-health advocates and industry voices.

Plumb: The Plumb cannot yet be fully assessed because public trust depends on whether scientific review stayed upright under reported political pressure.

Square: The Square is only partially met because authorization depends on future monitoring and possible withdrawal if risks outweigh benefits.

Trowel: The Trowel would require a policy that binds harm reduction to youth protection; the available sources show the attempt, not the final result.

Masonic Assessment: According to the sources, FDA partially met on the Level by weighing adult smokers and youth, while the Plumb remains dependent on confidence in the review process. The matter only partially parted upon the Square, and the Trowel will be measured by whether safeguards actually protect the public rather than merely sound careful.

Sources: FDA — FDA Expands Market Access, Authorizes New ENDS Products · AP — FDA announces its first OK of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for adults in major shift under Trump · NPR — The FDA has approved the sale of fruit-flavored vapes. What’s behind the shift?

Montana Judge Blocks Election Day Registration Restrictions

A Montana First Judicial District Court order dated May 8 granted a preliminary injunction against SB 490, a law that would have cut off voter registration after noon on Election Day for federal races while allowing later registration for state races. Montana Free Press reported that Judge Adam Larson’s order keeps federal-election registration open until 8 p.m. on Election Day and leaves new voter ID provisions under SB 276 in place. Democracy Docket reported that the court found SB 490 would burden the right to vote, create a two-track system, and leave Election Day registration available for the full day while the lawsuit continues. The matter matters because the ruling affects voting access before Montana’s June 2 primary and weighs election administration against constitutional rights.

Common Gavel: The court appears to have applied the Gavel by pausing SB 490 after finding likely harm and confusion, while leaving SB 276 untouched where the record did not support the same relief.

24-Inch Gauge: The court ordered time and duty by acting before the June 2 primary and preserving existing practice while the case continues.

Level: The order treated the ability to register and vote in federal races as a fundamental right rather than a mere administrative preference.

Plumb: The court appears to have acted by the Plumb by naming the constitutional concern before ballots and voter guidance produced more confusion.

Square: The order partially parted upon the Square because it preserved access while leaving final merits for later decision.

Trowel: The Trowel appears in the preservation of a voting process that keeps eligible citizens bound into civic life while the lawsuit proceeds.

Masonic Assessment: According to the available sources, the court appears to have met voters on the Level, acted by the Plumb, and partially parted upon the Square by preserving full-day registration without deciding the final merits. The Trowel is visible here in a limited way: the order keeps eligible citizens attached to the civic bond while the dispute is still unresolved.

Sources: Montana First Judicial District Court — Order Granting Preliminary Injunction on SB 490 · Montana Free Press — Judge blocks Election Day voter registration changes · Democracy Docket — Montana court blocks Republican-backed attack on Election Day registration

Closing Charge

Before you speak, vote, buy, manage, or judge today, ask whether your action can bear inspection from more than one angle. A square act does not need noise to defend it; it needs fairness, restraint, and the courage to correct course when the line begins to lean. Where you can, use the Trowel too: bind what is divided without hiding what is true.

The Daily Working Tools is a personal moral reflection on public events using public sources. It does not speak for Freemasonry, any Lodge, or any Grand Lodge.