The podcast delves into the theme of the upcoming World Economic Forum at Davos which is 'Rebuilding Trust'. The hosts question the substantive value of the event and highlight the contrast between Davos' self-presentation and its actual substance. They also discuss the bid by Japan's Nippon Steel to take over US Steel, examining the national security argument against the takeover bid and the potential impact on union jobs. The hosts raise concerns about the deal and criticize the Biden administration's lack of action.
35:26
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Davos focuses on coordination, signaling, and projecting an image, rather than addressing fundamental conflicts.
Nippon Steel's proposed takeover of US Steel offers strategic benefits, despite flawed arguments against it.
Deep dives
Davos as a forum for coordination rather than problem-solving
Davos serves as a platform for coordination and signaling rather than addressing and solving fundamental conflicts. While some meaningful exchanges and deal-making occur, the overall focus is on presence, PR exercises, and positioning oneself in the global landscape. The forum is seen as an elaborate gathering of the world's elites to discuss mutual interests and project a certain image.
Trust-building and the limitations of Davos
Davos often emphasizes themes like trust and rebuilding trust, but struggles to address the fundamental issues that undermine trust in the first place. The focus tends to be on procedures, communication, and presentation, rather than addressing conflicts, distribution, power, hierarchy, and inequality. The forum serves as a platform for signaling and coordinating around specific agendas, rather than truly engaging in trust-building at a societal level.
The significance and context of the US Steel takeover
Nippon Steel's proposed takeover of US Steel highlights the stark difference in strength and global positioning between the two companies. Nippon Steel has been a stronger and more dominant player in the global steel industry for decades, whereas US Steel ranks much lower in terms of production and global influence. The potential acquisition fits into Nippon Steel's strategic puzzle, allowing them access to the US market and subsidies while hedging their bets amid changing dynamics in the global steel industry.
Flawed arguments of national security and union jobs
The arguments made against the takeover, on grounds of national security and union jobs, are flawed and inconsistent. The national security argument lacks substance, as Nippon Steel is unlikely to pose a threat in terms of steel access or technological capabilities. The concern about union jobs overlooks the profit-driven nature of businesses, which prioritize profitability over supporting specific jobs or unions. Nippon Steel's labor relations track record in Japan suggests a willingness to work with assertive unions and does not indicate a hostile stance towards US unions.
The theme of the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos is "Rebuilding Trust." Do the rich and powerful have our trust? Do they deserve it? Adam and Cameron dig in.
Also on the show: Will the Biden administration block the $14.1 billion bid by Japan's Nippon Steel to take over U.S. Steel?