Intelligence Squared Tariff Special: The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook with Helen Thompson (Part Two)
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May 18, 2025 Helen Thompson, a globalisation expert and author of 'Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century', joins BBC broadcaster Jonny Dymond to delve into the turmoil of today's global economy. They discuss Trump's controversial tariffs and the chaos in U.S.-China trade relations. Thompson highlights the historical nuances of trade policies and their implications for the UK, while addressing energy transitions and the challenges of achieving net zero emissions. They also explore the generational shift in political leadership amid economic crises.
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Net Zero Commitment Lacked Strategy
- The UK committed to net zero in 2019 without a full strategy or understanding of energy storage challenges.
- Political optimism ignored technical realities, leading to current reckoning and political exploitation by Reform party.
Energy Reality Vs Climate Goals
- Energy is the foundation of modern economies, needing serious, realistic strategic planning.
- Energy transition is necessary but unprecedented, requiring balance between climate goals and energy realities.
Net Zero Is a New Industrial Revolution
- Moving away from fossil fuels means redoing the industrial revolution, which reshaped modern civilization.
- Every historic energy transition added sources but never fully replaced existing ones; net zero is uniquely challenging.
