Professor Ian Goldin explores globalisation, and asks how far the world is fragmenting politically and economically, and what the consequences of that could be. Since around 1990, with the end of the Cold War, the opening of China, global agreements to reduce trade barriers and the development of the internet, there has been a dramatic acceleration of globalisation. But its shortcomings are under the spotlight. Governments are making policy choices that protect their industries, and there’s a knock on effect on other countries and consumers around the world. How can the challenges be addressed? With contributions from: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. Minouche Shafik, President and vice-chancellor of the London School of Economics Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor of The Economist Rana Foroohar, Financial Times commentator and author. Kishore Mahbubani, former Ambassador to the UNCredits: CBS News, 24.09.19 – Donald Trump addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, pushing his ‘America First’ agenda. Conservative party, 02.10.19 – Boris Johnson at Conservative party conference ‘Let’s get Brexit done.’ The White House, 04.03.22 – Joe Biden announce his ‘Made in America’ commitments. World Economic Forum, 18.01.23 - German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, addresses the World Economic For in Davos, warning of the dangers of de-globalisation. BBC Newsnight,19.02.97 - Reporter Mike Robertson, reports on Xiao Ping’s economic legacy. BBC interview, 2005 - Tim Berners Lee describes the creation of the worldwide web. BBC Newsnight, 10.11.89 – reporter piece from the Berlin Wall. BBC Radio 5Live, 26.01.23 – Latest UK car manufacturing figures from 5Live presenter Rachel Burden and detail from BBC Business editor, Simon Jack. Courtesy, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 26.11.88 – Ronald Reagan’s radio address to the nation where he reminds the US to be thankful for economic prosperity generated by global trade. Courtesy, William J. Clinton Presidential Library, 28.01.2000 - President Clinton addresses the World Economic Forum about the connections between the global economy and US prosperity.

ECB President Lagarde, IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gopinath, and WTO Director General Okonjo-Iweala discuss the global economic outlook, trade policy, the green transition, opportunities and challenges for economic growth in Africa, harnessing the potential of young people, and global economy discussions including local currency markets.

Prominent guests including ECB President Christine Lagarde, Carlyle Co-Founder David Rubenstein, and Director General of the WTO Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discuss the threats and challenges faced by the global economy, the trade conditions in 2023 and forecast for 2024, the EU's concerns about subsidies and capital markets union, transitioning to a US-China partnership, building resilience and mobilizing resources, challenges of fiscal reform and financing the green transition, and the difficulties of raising taxes and phasing out subsidies.

Wang Huiyao, President of the Center for China and Globalization, discusses a recent 10-point consensus between China and Japan on cultural exchanges aimed at healing historical rifts. Liu Kuangyu highlights the significance of cultural exchanges for cross-strait relations, particularly involving a youth delegation from Taiwan. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala addresses the WTO's evolution and the need for reforms in global trade amidst rising protectionism. Discussions also touch on the political turmoil in South Korea and the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations.

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discusses the impact of de-globalization on international trade, challenges faced by the WTO, Biden Administration's tariff expansion on Chinese products, evolving trade perceptions, escalating protectionist measures between US and China, challenges for smaller countries, and future podcast guests and content.