

Geopolitical Economy Report
Ben Norton
Geopolitical Economy Report is an independent news outlet that provides original journalism and analysis to understand the changing world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

12 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 51min
US attacks blow back, uniting China, India, Russia, Iran; encouraging dedollarization
The podcast explores how U.S. aggression has unintentionally united China, India, and Russia, fostering deeper ties at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Discussion highlights India's shift closer to China post-Trump's tariffs, changing global dynamics. It also addresses the emerging multipolar world, the push for dedollarization, and the rise of Global South organizations like BRICS. The analysis points out the challenges to U.S. dominance in international finance, emphasizing the need for UN reform and cooperation among member nations.

Aug 30, 2025 • 27min
US gov't supports drug traffickers in Latin America, while threatening Venezuela
The discussion dives into the U.S. support for corrupt leaders in Latin America, showcasing the hypocrisy in its foreign policy. Álvaro Uribe, linked to drug trafficking, is defended by U.S. officials, while Venezuela faces unproven accusations. The podcast critiques military interventions and historical patterns of meddling, highlighting past alliances with drug cartels. It reveals how the narrative against Venezuela may serve ulterior motives, exposing a tangled web of geopolitics and human rights abuses.

Aug 27, 2025 • 51min
US dollar dominance could end very fast, warn top economists. This is how
The decline of the US dollar's dominance is gaining momentum, with economists surprising even mainstream voices speaking out. Trump's policies may cause a swift transition toward de-dollarization amid geopolitical shifts. As the dollar's role diminishes, the rise of China's influence and increasing gold purchases by central banks come into play. Concerns over inflation and US Treasury market volatility further complicate the landscape, and tensions surrounding interest rates are adding pressure as foreign investments dwindle.

9 snips
Aug 23, 2025 • 30min
How does China's system really work? This famous Chinese professor explains
In this engaging discussion, Zhang Weiwei, a renowned scholar from Fudan University, delves into the intricacies of China’s political system and socialist market economy. He elaborates on the unique 'China model,' emphasizing meritocracy and community involvement in governance. The conversation explores how China views democracy compared to the U.S. and critiques the ongoing trade war, highlighting its economic implications. Zhang also discusses the shift towards a multipolar world and China’s strategies to reduce dependence on U.S. financial systems.

Aug 20, 2025 • 53min
What drives US politics and the new cold war on China? Monopolies
One of the main goals of the US political and economic system is to protect corporate monopolies. Silicon Valley Big Tech corporations fear Chinese competitors, so the US government is trying to ban them. Political economist Ben Norton explains how imperialism works, and what drives Washington's Cold War Two against China.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVwFJ7sM6c
Topics
0:00 US government seeks political monopoly
0:51 Billionaire Peter Thiel defends monopolies
2:53 (CLIP) Peter Thiel: "competition is for losers"
3:18 Cold War Two against China
4:49 Uber's monopolistic business model
9:18 Corporate lobbyists & donors
10:02 Trump admin opposes antitrust cases
12:12 Money buys US politics
13:42 Trump backs billionaire Big Tech oligarchs
15:45 Trump green-lights white collar crime
17:35 Trump promotes bribery & corruption
19:30 USA wants to control global infrastructure
20:03 (CLIP) Trump threatens Panama Canal
20:14 BlackRock buys Panama Canal ports
20:36 (CLIP) Trump boasts of BlackRock deal
21:00 Trump helps BlackRock buy up ports
21:58 Second Cold War on China
22:23 US Big Tech targets TikTok
24:14 DeepSeek & Chinese AI competitors
25:00 OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
26:14 US states ban DeepSeek
26:57 Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei
27:29 US AI companies lobby to ban competitors
28:37 Silicon Valley seeks "unipolar world"
30:23 Biden's chip export restrictions on China
31:09 USA seeks to stop China's innovation
31:57 Biden's tariffs on China
33:55 How imperialism works
34:45 Global value chain (division of labor)
36:20 USA wanted China to stay subordinate
37:50 VP JD Vance wants Global South on bottom
38:45 (CLIP) JD Vance on China & value chain
39:30 Industrial policy: Made in China 2025 plan
41:32 China enters commercial aircraft industry
42:14 US politicians lobby to ban China's Comac
43:58 How Boeing was destroyed by finance bros
45:47 How Jack Welch ran GE into the ground
46:39 Boeing attacked unions & skilled labor
47:56 Boeing CEO was Blackstone exec
48:51 Boeing prioritizes stock buybacks, not R&D
50:17 Private equity is "looting America"
51:22 Goal of Washington's new cold war
52:11 Outro

Aug 16, 2025 • 46min
Trump's tariffs backfire: India moves closer to China, strengthening BRICS unity
Donald Trump's tariffs are inadvertently pushing India closer to China, complicating the geopolitical landscape. The podcast explores the historical tensions between the U.S., India, and China, revealing how these tariffs are reinforcing BRICS unity. As India navigates its traditional ties with Russia and its burgeoning relationship with the U.S., it remains a crucial player in the global economy. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of these shifts for international trade dynamics and alliances.

Aug 10, 2025 • 60min
Corporate landlords are taking over, making life unaffordable: Economist Michael Hudson explains why
Economist Michael Hudson, author of 'Killing the Host', dives into the troubling rise of corporate landlords like Blackstone, accentuating how Wall Street's grip on the housing market is driving up rents and pushing many into homelessness. He critiques the shift towards financialized capitalism and the rentier class, explaining its detrimental impact on communities and highlighting economic education's failures. Hudson contrasts U.S. and Chinese economic models, revealing insights on the evolution from productive economies to exploitative practices.

Aug 6, 2025 • 52min
How the world can free itself from US financial colonialism: Economist Michael Hudson explains
Economist Michael Hudson, author of Super Imperialism, dives deep into the mechanisms of US-centered financial colonialism and its detrimental effects on the Global South. He critiques the exploitative nature of institutions like the IMF and World Bank, emphasizing the urgent need for reform and increased representation for these nations. Hudson also discusses emerging alternatives, like BRICS, that seek to challenge traditional financial hegemony. With insights on unmanageable dollar debt and strategies for economic independence, he offers a roadmap for resisting neocolonialism.

Aug 2, 2025 • 40min
Trump attacks Brazil to weaken BRICS. Lula pushes back: We don't want US 'emperor' or 'world police'
The White House imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil and declared it a threat to US "national security". Donald Trump is blatantly meddling in internal Brazilian affairs, trying to undermine left-wing President Lula da Silva and help far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro. The USA's attacks also aim to divide BRICS and discourage more countries from joining. Political economist Ben Norton explains how the US empire is attacking the Global South's multipolar project.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niPNwB-0nQI
Topics
0:00 (CLIP) Lula condemns US meddling
1:06 Trump sanctions & tariffs Brazil
2:04 BRICS & Brazil
3:20 Lula resists US hegemony
4:39 (CLIP) Lula on US interference
8:41 Trump fears BRICS & dedollarization
9:56 (CLIP) Trump threatens tariffs on BRICS
10:24 Poll: Brazilians prefer BRICS over USA
11:42 Lula is leading 2026 election polls
12:33 Jair Bolsonaro, close US ally
13:25 Bolsonaro's failed coup attempt
14:35 Role of China
16:19 Bolsonaro fled to USA
18:02 Latin American right: US proxies
19:35 Trump declares Brazil a "threat"
20:50 Elon Musk & US Big Tech corporations
22:41 Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazil
23:08 Lula defends Brazil's sovereignty
24:29 US coups in Latin America
26:33 Coups against Brazil's Lula & Dilma
29:06 USA has trade surplus with Brazil
29:55 Lula: Trade in other currencies, not dollar
31:00 China: Brazil's top trading partner
32:04 China: Latin America's top trading partner
33:07 China builds infrastructure in Latin America
33:50 China & Brazil plan transcontinental railroad
34:50 Brazil embraces multipolarity
36:46 Brazil boosts ties with Russia
37:14 Brazil & China peace proposal in Ukraine
37:50 Multipolarity & Latin America
39:40 Outro

Jul 29, 2025 • 59min
How the USA exploits Europe, treating its 'allies' like vassals
Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, discusses how his administration's policies have transformed Europe into a compliant ally. He highlights one-sided trade deals that favor U.S. corporations while leaving Europe with little benefit. Trump emphasizes the U.S. military and energy dominance over Europe, with increased spending requirements imposed on NATO allies. The dialogue reveals the struggles of the EU to maintain autonomy amidst U.S. interests and critiques the imperialistic nature of these relationships, suggesting a significant power shift in global dynamics.