In this discussion, David Rennie, the Beijing bureau chief for The Economist, shares insights into China's zero-COVID policy and the precarious situation in Beijing as officials grapple with rising cases without imposing lockdowns. Simon Rabinovich, the U.S. economics editor, examines the alarming baby formula shortage in America, attributing it to supply chain disruptions and factory shutdowns. Together, they also touch on the unexpected challenges shaping daily life globally, from health crises to market nuances.
China’s Communist Party leaders have painted themselves into a corner: they cannot be seen to put the capital into lockdown, but permitting covid to spread could be catastrophic. We look into the myriad reasons behind America’s sharp shortages of baby formula, and how to solve them. And why it is illegal for women to get a manicure in Turkmenistan.