asset

He said the involvement of the directorate signalled how "seriously" phone theft was now being taken, adding: "We're putting our very best resources and assets pointed at this crime type."

"It's coming from critical infrastructure," he adds, "from big companies, looking to protect their own assets".

GM recently took $1.6 billion in write-downs related to EV assets, a sign it doesn’t see the technology spreading in the U.S. as fast as it once did.

In a speech last year, he questioned why the US would give away "this crown jewel asset when we most need it".

"It makes clear that universities are a huge national asset, rightly admired around the world. We need them to be in great shape if we want national renewal," chief executive Vivienne Stern said.