Global Macro Update

The US has a China problem. Our biggest geopolitical rival has a massive trade surplus, and it’s working to usurp America’s position as the global hegemon. What effect will the new Trump tariffs have on this ongoing rivalry? As our guest today, China specialist Lyric Hughes Hale says, “Communism always ends in tears.”

China has weaponized fentanyl against the US. Today we’re speaking with Canadian journalist Sam Cooper about how China and Canada drive the opioid trade, money laundering in Vancouver, Mexican cartels, and corruption at the highest levels of government. They’re all in on it…

US-Canada relations are strained. Many believe Canada isn’t doing enough to choke off illegal immigration or to protect North America’s security interests in the Artic, which Russia and China aim to dominate. We’re covering this and more with Canadian journalist Jonathan Roth.

The stock market dipped 3% on Wednesday, and I know many investors are getting nervous. Hearing from a technical analyst like Katie Stockton, founder of Fairlead Strategies, is particularly important now, when the leading macro analysts all seem to have wildly different outlooks. Note: We recorded this interview on Dec. 12.

Felix Zulauf, a renowned expert in global macroeconomics, discusses the transitioning world order impacting investments through 2025. He delves into the implications of Trump tariffs and the rise of deglobalization, state capitalism, and nationalism. Listeners will gain insights into market cycles influenced by innovation, particularly AI, and the looming financial challenges ahead, such as the debt ceiling. Zulauf highlights investment opportunities in commodities and real estate, while stressing the importance of risk management in an evolving economic landscape.

My friend Jared Dillian is back to discuss everything from Indian stocks, Milei’s Argentina, and burning cars in France, to Social Security and how to make money in 2025.

Shehzad Qazi, Managing Director at the China Beige Book, gives a compelling analysis of the looming second US-China trade war, asserting a 100% probability by 2025. He discusses the implications of China's staggering trillion-dollar trade surplus and what it means for global economies. As China faces significant economic challenges, Qazi explores India's rise as the next big player in the market. The conversation also delves into the escalating geopolitical tensions around Taiwan, drawing parallels with the evolving dynamics in the region.

When it comes to cybersecurity, intelligence expert Karim Hijazi says the election is not “under control.” Russia, China, Iran—plus “hackers for hire”—are busy meddling. Their goal isn’t necessarily to tilt the scales in favor of one candidate or party, but to weaken the US as a whole.

Join Ed and macroeconomist Patrick Cox as they discuss demographic reversal, the collapse of Social Security, and rapid advances in longevity medicine, including compelling age-reversal research coming out of Johns Hopkins and MD Anderson.

Dr. Lacy Hunt says the US economy is in a “very precarious situation” and that it’s a mistake to pretend people are doing well when a closer look at the economic data shows they are hurting. He walks us through that data, making it easy to digest for the layman.