Stefan Legge, Vice Director and Head of Tax & Trade Policy at the University of St. Gallen, joins me to unpack the economic forces shaping Switzerland and the world. With his expertise in trade, debt, and policy reform, Stefan explores how small countries like Switzerland navigate a rapidly changing global economy.
Expect to learn why free trade agreements with countries like China and India are critical for Switzerland, the potential fallout of U.S. tariffs, and what lessons can be drawn from Argentina’s experiment with extreme government reduction. Stefan also dives into the challenges of managing national debt, how Switzerland maintains its economic stability, and his surprising take on Bitcoin’s role in the future of finance. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone curious about global economics and Switzerland’s unique approach.
CONTACT STEFAN
https://stefanlegge.com/contact/
CONTACT MIKE
https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/
TRANSCRIPT
https://howitticks.ch/podcast/global-debt-stefan-legge/
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Understanding government debt and its implications
06:00 Lessons from the Eurozone debt crisis and its impact
12:00 Argentina’s experiment with extreme government reduction
18:00 The role of Swiss policies in managing government spending
24:00 The importance of Switzerland’s stable currency
29:00 Stefan’s thoughts on Bitcoin and its potential future