Geopolitical Economy Report

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The discussion centers on how Trump's policies, intended for economic growth, have disproportionately benefited the wealthy while hurting his own supporters. As contradictions grow within the MAGA base, questions arise about the sustainability of democracy. The podcast evaluates the unmet economic and foreign policy promises, revealing increased strains like inflation and stagnant wages for the average American. It further critiques the recent tax breaks for the elite, which have exacerbated disparities in access to social programs and economic stability.

Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua and a key figure in the Sandinista revolution, discusses the ongoing struggle against U.S. interventionism in the Global South. He highlights how China and Russia partner with formerly colonized nations to uphold their sovereignty. From the harsh impacts of U.S. imperialism in Nicaragua to the historic alliances shaped by revolutionary movements, Ortega reflects on the importance of these partnerships. He emphasizes that the fight against colonialism and modern militarization continues to inspire anti-imperialist sentiments across Latin America.

The discussion reveals how Western governments, often touted as democracies, are largely influenced by wealthy elites and corporations. It examines the role of billionaires in shaping political landscapes, with Donald Trump highlighted as a prime example. The podcast addresses the impact of money on electoral processes, showing public opinion on healthcare and the significant influence of Super PACs. Additionally, it critiques the neoliberal austerity measures that favor the rich, leading to increased inequality while undermining democratic principles.

Mainstream media is finally acknowledging the genocide occurring in Gaza, notably through a revealing article by an Israeli scholar. However, this admission highlights deep-rooted propaganda that has historically justified these actions. U.S. corporations are profiting from the conflict, with a disturbing link between military aid to Israel and corporate gains. The podcast also discusses the U.S. government's sanctions against truth-tellers and draws chilling parallels between contemporary abuses and historical atrocities.