Geopolitical Economy Report

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he is resigning. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is talking about annexing Canada and making it the 51st state. To discuss the disaster, political economist Radhika Desai is joined by Dimitri Lascaris, host of the independent media outlet Reason2Resist. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7KySFlP4-0 Check out Radhika Desai's article on Trudeau’s fall: https://newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/trudeaus-fall You can follow Dimitri Lascaris' channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@reason2resist This is part of the show Geopolitical Economy Hour. You can watch other episodes of the program here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDAi0NdlN8hMl9DkPLikDDGccibhYHnDP

The podcast dives into Trump's imperialistic rhetoric during his inauguration, revealing ambitions to expand U.S. territory, including threats to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. It discusses his aggressive stance towards BRICS with tariff threats and military overtures, while also highlighting his intentions regarding Canada and Mexico. The conversation critiques Trump's foreign policy as a continuation of U.S. imperialism, examining military spending disparities and the implications for global politics, especially in Latin America.

BRICS added as a new partner Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, with the 6th-biggest population on Earth. BRICS+ now has 10 members and 9 partners, which make up 54.6% of the world population and 42.2% of global GDP (PPP). Ben Norton explains the importance of this expansion. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNNrMP_1E9g Sources and more information here: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/01/19/brics-expands-population-nigeria-africa/ Check out our related video on BRICS' plan to challenge US dollar domination by creating a multi-currency financial system: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2024/10/19/brics-russia-multi-currency-system-us-dollar/ Topics 0:00 BRICS expansion 0:58 BRICS' two main goals 1:52 De-dollarization 3:36 Map of BRICS membership 4:00 Indonesia joined BRICS 5:01 List of members & partners 5:37 BRICS is 54.6% of world population 6:57 Fastest growing countries by population 7:59 Africa's population growth 9:05 BRICS is 42.2% of global GDP (PPP) 9:47 Africa's biggest economies 11:37 Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer 12:05 BRICS+ & OPEC+ 13:04 Shared economic interests 14:27 Outro

In this engaging discussion, Jyotishman Mudiar, a PhD candidate in economic history and expert on India's economic development, breaks down India's potential as a superpower. He highlights challenges like extreme poverty and wealth disparity, contrasting India's growth with that of China. The conversation delves into the rise of billionaires, the decline of manufacturing, and the critical role of technology and services. Mudiar raises thought-provoking questions about economic sovereignty and the future of agriculture in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Anatol Lieven, director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and a noted global affairs author, delves into the consequences of Trump’s potential return to power. He discusses the shifting dynamics of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and the Middle East. Key topics include internal GOP conflicts, the implications of tariffs on the economy, and the changing landscape of global power where U.S. dominance is challenged. Lieven highlights the need for nuanced diplomacy in navigating these complex geopolitical waters.

BRICS expands, welcoming Indonesia, the world's 4th most populous nation and 7th largest economy. With its new membership, BRICS now represents 41.4% of global GDP and nearly half the world’s population. The podcast explores Indonesia's strategic ties with China and its significant role in the nickel market. Historical context is provided, discussing past U.S. interventions and the shift towards cooperation with the Global South. The conversation also highlights BRICS' potential challenge to U.S. dollar dominance through alternative financial systems.

The discussion highlights the staggering overvaluation of the US stock market, now 206% of GDP, eclipsing prior bubbles. Major tech giants dominate, with just 25 companies accounting for over half of the S&P 500. There's concern about the wealthy profiting while financial policies favor a select few. The potential for a significant market correction looms as billionaires sell off assets. Plus, insights into the exorbitant privilege of the US dollar and the impact of financialization raise questions about the sustainability of this economic model.

Discover the long-hidden U.S. plans for regime change in Syria dating back to 1986. A declassified CIA document reveals how sectarian tensions were exploited to create civil unrest, ultimately shaping the conflict that unfolded. The discussion touches on the strategic aim of installing a pro-Israel regime and the transition to a neoliberal economy. Insightful connections are made between past interventions and the Syrian war, highlighting a decades-long plot to influence the nation's future.

The podcast dives into Trump’s bold and controversial foreign policy ambitions, revealing threats to colonize Panama, annex Canada, and seize Greenland for its rare resources. It critiques the resurgence of Manifest Destiny among his followers and highlights a Pentagon official's invocation of the Monroe Doctrine. Discussions also cover U.S. military interventions, proposed invasions in Mexico, and potential bombings in Iran, showcasing the implications of such imperialistic rhetoric and its historical context.

The recent expansion of BRICS adds 9 new partner countries, boosting its influence to represent half of the global population and over 41% of world GDP. The podcast dives into BRICS' agricultural and energy dominance, highlighting its role in global food production. It also discusses the group's strategies to challenge US economic hegemony with a potential multi-currency system. Insights into the contrasting economic structures of BRICS and the US reveal a shift towards local currency trading and reducing reliance on the US dollar.