The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway China Decode: Why Unrest in Iran is a Problem for China
138 snips
Jan 13, 2026 
In this conversation, Michal Meidan, the Director of the China Energy Program at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, delves into the implications of Iran's unrest for China's energy strategy. She discusses how U.S. actions in Venezuela could affect China's loans and contracts. Michal also highlights the significance of stockpiling strategies and the potential risks from sanctions and geopolitical tensions. Additionally, the podcast touches on China's growing obesity crisis and the emergence of 'fat prisons' alongside the production of GLP-1 drugs.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China's Energy Exposure Is Concentrated
- China sources roughly 20% of its imported oil from Venezuela and Iran combined, making disruptions geopolitically significant.
- A deeper collapse in Iran or loss of Venezuelan flows would materially affect China's energy security and diplomacy.
China's Strategic Bet On Iran Runs Deep
- China is Iran's biggest trade partner and provides discounted oil plus major loans and a 25-year, $400 billion framework.
- Those deep economic ties give China leverage but make it vulnerable if Iran destabilizes.
China's Latin America Footprint Is Multifaceted
- China's Latin America engagement includes energy, military sales, space infrastructure, and Beidou adoption — not just loans and trade.
- That comprehensive footprint makes it hard for the US to simply reverse Chinese influence in the region.