Squawk Pod

Two years after the WHO declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, CNBC’s Meg Tirrell reflects on how far we’ve come, in a conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla traces our progress from manufacturing the first vaccine to battling various strains as they evolve. Bourla maps out the annual vaccinations on our road still ahead. In Eastern Europe Vladimir Putin has referred to “positive shifts” in Russia’s talks with Ukraine, giving the global markets hope for an imminent end to the conflict, although many doubt the veracity of his comments. In the meantime, the U.S. Senate has passed a $1.5 trillion spending bill that includes aid for Ukraine. Plus, the MLB is back and ready to play ball. In this episode:Albert Bourla, @AlbertBourlaMeg Tirrell, @megtirrellJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Efforts at diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine have so far been unproductive, and foreign leaders including Vice President Kamala Harris and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are now in Poland to facilitate talks and support Ukraine. The conflict has affected American gas prices, and Operation Hope CEO John Hope Bryant discusses impacts on consumer wallets and on corporate strategies. In the wake of Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision Blizzard, the SEC is investigating concerns of insider trading that took place before the deal was announced; entertainment mogul Barry Diller strongly insists that he, his stepson Alex von Furstenberg, and fellow mogul David Geffen made “a lucky bet” on Activision Blizzard, and that the transactions were legal. President Biden’s executive order to examine cryptocurrencies prompted a bounce in bitcoin prices, and United Airlines is allowing some unvaccinated workers to return to their jobs later this month. Plus, one health insurer is considering a rebrand, and Amazon’s stock split might shake up the Dow.  In this episode:John Hope Bryant, @johnhopebryantJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following over 300 other western companies, McDonald’s has temporarily closed its restaurants in Russia while Vladimir Putin continues his war in Ukraine. CNBC’s Steve Liesman, a founding business editor of The Moscow Times and a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Russia, recalls the first Russian McDonald’s and what it symbolized for a nation once cut off from the western world. In conversations exclusive to Squawk Pod, he and fellow reporter Diana Olick, a former student in the Soviet Union, discuss the once “insatiable” Russian appetite for all things American, and the direction in which Putin is now steering his people. Plus, The New York Times columnist Tom Friedman considers China’s current power dynamic, as President Xi “tap dances” between supporting its ally Russia and remaining neutral, in case Putin loses his war.   In this episode:Tom Friedman, @tomfriedmanDiana Olick, @DianaOlickSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the latest international response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. will ban imports of Russian oil. As the conflict escalates, global oil prices are skyrocketing, and Again Capital’s John Kilduff points out that oil price spikes have historically preceded recessions. Global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets Helima Croft traces the ripple effects of the invasion through the global oil markets to gas pumps and the White House. CNBC’s Ylan Mui reports on congressional support for American sanctions on Russia, despite the cost for stateside consumers. Plus, the NFL has suspended Calvin Ridley for betting on games.  In this episode:Helima Croft, @CroftHelimaJohn Kilduff, @KilduffReportYlan Mui, @ylanmuiJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickZach Vallese, @zachvallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The U.S. and its allies are considering banning Russian oil and natural gas imports in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Daniel Yergin, S&P Global vice chairman, discusses oil and surging gas prices ahead of the 40th annual CERAWeek energy conference. NBC’s Molly Hunter reports that Russian and Ukrainian officials are working on a humanitarian corridor for evacuations, but no deal has been reached yet. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy discusses the state’s decision to end its Covid-19 mask mandate in schools starting Monday. Plus, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has a $5B stake in Occidental Petroleum and Batman soars in the biggest box office debut of 2022. In this episode:Daniel Yergin, @DanielYerginGovernor Phil Murphy, @GovMurphyBrian Sullivan, @SullyCNBCMolly Hunter, @mollymhunterJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickZach Vallese, @zachvallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After the Russian military fired on and seized control of Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Ukraine, retired U.S. army colonel and a Medal of Honor recipient Jack Jacobs discusses Vladimir Putin’s military strategy, as well as the war’s most likely outcome. CNBC’s Robert Frank details the sanctions levied on dozens of Russian oligarchs, and author Ben Mezrich reflects on his experience yachting and clubbing with the Russian oligarchs who put Putin in power. Mezrich has written about Russian and bitcoin billionaires, and considers whether crypto is the currency of choice for the country’s elite.  In this episode:Jack Jacobs, @ColJackJacobsBen Mezrich, @benmezrichRobert Frank, @robtfrankJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Biden administration has unveiled a new plan for the ongoing pandemic, continuing production of vaccines and tests to minimize disruptions in the face of any new waves of infection. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses U.S. preparedness and the likelihood of new strains emerging in the fall. A week into Russia’s war in Ukraine, CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports that over 2,000 civilians, and over 6,000 Russian troops have died. Plus, Peloton co-founder and ex-CEO John Foley has sold off $50 million in PTON stock, and the company is gearing up for big changes led by its new CEO, ex-Netflix executive Barry McCarthy. In this episode: Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMD Kayla Tausche, @kaylatausche Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Famed value investor Bill Miller of Miller Value Partners joins Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson to share investment advice as war abroad escalates and inflation at home rises. Some of Miller’s biggest positions are in Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta, and he says, Meta stock is cheap, and the case for bitcoin is strong. Hobson says value investors are enthusiastic about leisure and entertainment stocks, like hotels and casinos. Joe, Becky, and Andrew break down President Biden’s first State of the Union address and consider Russia’s implication for the oil markets and America’s tolerance for more inflation. Plus, Elon Musk noticed he and Tesla were missing from the President’s speech; the Squawk team considers how the two might repair their relationship. In this episode: Bill Miller, @B3_MillerValue Mellody Hobson, @MellodyHobson Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the Western world’s sanctions pile onto Russia, CNBC’s Steve Liesman considers the effect they’ll really have for the Russian economy and the Russian people. Speaking from his experience as a journalist in Moscow, Liesman explains the Russian government’s relationship to its citizens and the country’s difficult financial history. Meanwhile, U.S. corporations including Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros. are taking a stand for Ukraine, and Airbnb is helping to coordinate housing for refugees. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky discusses the cost and the capacity to serve the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing violence. Plus, tennis champion Serena Williams’s venture capital firm Serena Ventures has raised $111 for its inaugural fund. She and General Partner Alison Stillman discuss the importance of representation in venture capital and investing in diverse perspectives.  In this episode:Serena Williams, @serenawilliamsBrian Chesky, @bcheskySteve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bill Daley, vice chairman of public affairs at Wells Fargo and former chief of staff in the Obama administration, discusses new sanctions against Russia, including the move to block some access to the SWIFT international payment system. CNBC’s Kayla Tausche breaks down the latest moves from the U.S. Treasury Department against Russia, CNBC’s Robert Frank reports on the swath of new sanctions from Western nations against Russian elites, and Eunice Yoon reports from Beijing, where China is struggling to remain neutral over Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Plus, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is due to testify before Congress on Wednesday and Thursday for the central bank’s semiannual monetary policy report to lawmakers. Investors will be watching the testimonies closely for any indication on how the Russia-Ukraine crisis may affect the Fed’s plans for raising interest rates and tightening monetary policy more broadly.In this episode:Bill Daley, @WellsFargoKayla Tausche, @kaylatauscheRobert Frank, @robtfrankEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.