The Growing Pains of Lego in China

3min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Last year, over 60% of new shops opened by Lego were in China. The toy maker is releasing its first ever LGBTQ plus theme set called Everyone is Awesome. Chinese parents love to give their kids things that will make them brilliant and creative. But at the same time, Lego is also doing things that appeal very much to the Chinese Communist Party.

In a conversation that lasted eight hours over two days, the statesman discussed paths to peace in Ukraine, his evolving view on their NATO membership, and where China comes into play. Our crony-capitalism index is back, and the chart-topping culprits haven’t changed so much. And, the toymaker, Lego, is facing roadblocks in China.

For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer