The Economics Show
Financial Times
The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes is a new weekly podcast from the Financial Times packed full of smart, digestible analysis and incisive conversation. Soumaya Keynes digs deep into the hottest topics in economics along with a cast of FT colleagues and special guests. Come for the big ideas, stay for the nerdery.Soumaya Keynes is an economics columnist for the Financial Times. Prior to joining the FT she worked at The Economist for eight years as a staff writer, where as well as covering trade, the US economy and the UK economy she co-hosted the Money Talks podcast. She also co-founded the Trade Talks podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
32 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 28min
China and the limits of its ‘engineering state’. With Dan Wang
Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover History Lab and author of 'Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future', discusses China's rapid industrial growth and the challenges it faces, including overproduction and deflation. He contrasts China's engineering-driven economy with the U.S. legalistic approach, exploring the societal pressures on young professionals. The conversation delves into government interventions to boost consumer demand, the complexities of the property market, and the implications of technological advancements in the industrial metaverse.
18 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 31min
Fed independence? Here’s why you should worry. With Peter Conti-Brown
Peter Conti-Brown, an associate professor at The Wharton School, dives into the precarious state of the Federal Reserve's independence. He discusses President Trump’s attempts to politicize the Fed, explaining how these actions threaten economic stability. The intricate dynamics of political influences on monetary policy are examined, particularly how they impact decision-making around interest rates. Conti-Brown also addresses historical challenges faced by central banks and critiques governmental overreach, ensuring listeners grasp the gravity of these issues.
49 snips
Sep 1, 2025 • 32min
After globalisation: What's next for a fractured world? With Neil Shearing
Neil Shearing, Group Chief Economist at Capital Economics and author of 'The Fractured Age', shares his expertise on the transformative effects of geopolitical tensions on global trade. He argues that the unraveling of globalization is not solely due to Donald Trump's policies but a deeper trend. The discussion highlights the escalating economic rivalry between the US and China, the implications of technological competition, and the potential bifurcation of global markets. Shearing also touches on the evolving role of Europe and the future of the dollar.
30 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 29min
How Asia is coping with Trump’s tariffs. With Mari Pangestu
Mari Pangestu, Indonesia's former trade minister and World Bank managing director, discusses the impact of Trump’s tariffs on Southeast Asia. She explains how these tariffs challenge local economies and push countries closer to China. The conversation also covers the complexities of trade dependencies, strategic responses from nations like Vietnam, and key trade agreements. Additionally, they delve into the evolving nickel market and its implications for global supply chains, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation in this shifting landscape.
17 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 28min
Why Russia’s wartime economy is starting to crack, with Elina Ribakova
Elina Ribakova, a non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute and vice-president for foreign policy at the Kyiv School of Economics, joins to discuss the fragility of Russia's wartime economy. She unpacks how initial resilience has faded under growing sanctions. The chat dives into the implications of a potential end to the Ukraine war and explores the intricate relationship between Russia and China amidst these crises. Elina highlights the looming challenges of transitioning from a military-focused economy back to normalcy.
15 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 24min
Introducing the Rachman Review: Is the US heading for a debt crisis?
In a compelling conversation, Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates and debt crisis expert, sheds light on America’s looming debt challenges. He compares the U.S. debt situation to historical crises, analyzing the implications of a staggering $12 trillion in debt. Dalio discusses the pressures on credit systems, the evolving role of the dollar, and emerging investment alternatives like gold and cryptocurrencies. The dialogue also touches on global financial dynamics, highlighting the interconnected nature of debt cycles and politics.
Aug 8, 2025 • 30min
Can we still trust US economic data? With Erica Groshen
In this engaging discussion, Erica Groshen, former commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics under President Obama, sheds light on the growing distrust in U.S. economic data. She and John Burn-Murdoch dive into the fallout from political interference, such as the dismissal of a BLS head and its impact on data integrity. They explore how funding cuts and reduced survey response rates undermine data collection, highlight the risks to economic decision-making, and underscore the critical need for reliable economic indicators amidst a cooling labor market.
22 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 36min
Development funding is in crisis. What now? With Mark Suzman
Mark Suzman, the Chief Executive of the Gates Foundation and former Financial Times journalist, discusses the unfolding crisis in global development funding. He highlights how wealthy nations are retracting support, threatening progress made in the 21st century. Suzman unpacks the Seville Commitment, exploring its potential efficacy in facilitating aid. The conversation also addresses the heavy debt burdens facing developing nations and innovative funding strategies like blended finance. Additionally, he touches on transformative AI innovations that can empower smallholder farmers, enhancing sustainable development.
55 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 34min
Has Argentina’s Milei proved his critics wrong? With Alejandro Werner
Alejandro Werner, former head of the IMF’s western hemisphere department and founding director of the Georgetown Americas Institute, shares insights into Argentina's economic revival under President Javier Milei. They discuss the radical free-market policies that aim to stabilize a nation long plagued by debt defaults and high inflation. Werner highlights the surprising public backing for austerity measures and delves into the challenges of gaining investor trust and successfully transitioning to a dollarized economy.
27 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 27min
Can Europe afford to rearm itself? With Jeromin Zettelmeyer
Jeromin Zettelmeyer, director at the think tank Bruegel and former IMF and German Ministry official, joins to discuss Europe's defense spending amid rising geopolitical tensions. He delves into the challenge for NATO nations to allocate 3.5% of GDP to military budgets while managing public debt. The conversation highlights Germany's shifting debt regulations and the necessity for cooperative financing solutions across Europe. Zettelmeyer emphasizes the cultural changes needed for collaboration over national interests in defense production.
