Geopolitical Economy Report

Michael Hudson, an economist known for his critiques of neoliberalism, and Mick Dunford, a scholar based in China with insights on global trade, delve into the repercussions of Trump's tariffs. They argue these measures could accelerate U.S. decline, highlighting how protectionism might backfire and exacerbate inflation. The discussion contrasts historical contexts with modern trade dynamics, assessing the U.S.'s waning competitiveness and how nations might adapt to shifting global power. They also critique the differing globalization approaches between the West and China.

Donald Trump expresses intentions of taking over Gaza, aiming to expel Palestinians while promoting luxury real estate ventures. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has financial ties to Israeli settlements, raising ethical concerns. The discussion explores the devastating consequences of proposed ethnic cleansing and the historical ties Palestinians have to their homeland. Suggestions for redevelopment in Gaza highlight conflicting interests between economic development and the rights of its indigenous people, with critiques of U.S. policies fueling this ongoing crisis.

In this engaging conversation, Michael Hudson, an award-winning economist known for his critique of neoliberal economics, warns that Trump's tariffs could lead to a destabilized global economy. He discusses potential financial crises stemming from currency depreciation and the challenges countries face in paying foreign debts. Hudson critiques U.S. protectionist policies and austerity measures, emphasizing the need for unity among nations affected by these economic shifts. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for trade, inflation, and U.S. imperialism.

Silicon Valley tech giants reveal their fear of competition from China's DeepSeek AI. Billionaire Peter Thiel boldly advocates for monopolies, stating that competition is for losers. The U.S. government plans to stifle Chinese innovation and even aims to 'steal' engineers. Conversations explore how these monopolistic tendencies threaten fair competition, while the economic clash between U.S. capitalism and Chinese socialism comes to the forefront. The discussion raises questions about the true nature of power dynamics in the tech industry.

A Chinese company, DeepSeek, has disrupted the tech landscape with its impressive open-source AI model, challenging the dominance of U.S. Big Tech. This development triggered a wave of stock market declines in the U.S. as concerns about a tech bubble emerge. The U.S. government's reaction includes attempts to ban this competition under the guise of national security, raising questions about the tech war on China. The discussion also delves into myths around China's innovation capabilities and examines the influence of billionaire oligarchs on U.S. policy.

Tensions escalate as Trump threatens Colombia with sanctions after its refusal to bow to U.S. demands on immigration. Colombian President Petro fiercely responds, emphasizing, 'We are not a colony!' The discussion delves into Latin America's pushback against U.S. meddling, highlighting the region's quest for independence. Key topics include the rise of multipolarity, Petro's poignant open letter to Trump, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy on immigration and sovereignty. It's a powerful exploration of resistance against imperialism.

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.