Latest Interviews
Showing 1–6 of 6 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist10 min
What can Donald Trump get from Xi Jinping? | The Economist
Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Jeremy Page, John Prideaux, James Bennet
Donald Trump's administration faces a complex landscape in US-China relations where both nations share AI safety concerns regarding nuclear weapons and cyber fraud despite deep trust deficits and divergent strategic priorities. Simultaneously, geopolitical tensions over Taiwan persist as President Xi Jinping demands extreme caution regarding arms sales following record-breaking approvals, while direct negotiations between the two leaders challenge previous diplomatic assurances. Economic negotiations may pivot toward establishing a Trade Board to resolve export overcapacity, with Beijing likely to authorize purchases of American soybeans and beef only in exchange for tangible reductions in US trade restrictions.
- The Economist7 min
What's China really up to in the Arctic? | The Economist
China aims to establish itself as a "polar great power" by 2030 through its "Polar Silk Road" initiative, which seeks to leverage the retreating Arctic ice to secure economic advantages via the Northern Sea Route and access natural resources. While Beijing has deepened cooperation with Russia and attempted infrastructure projects in Greenland and Nordic countries, these efforts face mounting resistance from NATO members who suspect military-civil fusion and demand prioritized security over scientific engagement. The inclusion of Sweden and Finland into the alliance has further complicated China's strategic goals by shifting the regional balance toward defense, thereby hindering Beijing's ambitions to expand its footprint in the Arctic.
- The Economist9 min
How Trump’s Venezuela raid is helping China's Taiwan battle plans
Following a U.S. strike on Venezuela, Chinese military leadership is analyzing the operation to refine "decapitation" capabilities against Taiwan's leadership, a strategy intensified by lessons from Russia's Ukraine campaign. Although Beijing has expanded a mock-up of Taiwan's government complex in northern China and conducted massive "Justice Mission 2025" drills to simulate precise sanctions, the PLA acknowledges current gaps in joint operational integration required for such complex attacks. This strategic evaluation aims to prepare for a full capability target date of 2027 while assessing whether the U.S. raid might distract American focus from containing Beijing's long-term ambitions.
- The Economist21 min
Modi behaviour: will India retaliate against Pakistan?
Narendra Modi, Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, Jeremy Page, Kerry and Richmond Jones, Daniel Knowles
Escalating India-Pakistan tensions have surged following a deadly 2024 attack in Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to suspend river treaties and mobilize forces while Islamabad threatens to withdraw from the Shimla Agreement. Analysts warn that high pressure for military retaliation, exacerbated by reduced US influence in the region, creates a significant risk of a broader conflict surpassing the 2019 crisis. Concurrently, domestic economic and technological dynamics persist, with religious institutions in Brazil expanding via tax incentives and global demand for magnetic tape storage surging for AI data archiving despite government claims of obsolescence.
- The Economist23 min
Scandal in the wind: Adani’s indictment could hurt Modi
Adani, Modi, Jason Palmer, Rosie Bloor, Jeremy Page, Don Wineland, Katherine Nixie
Following a BJP landslide in Maharashtra and a US indictment alleging a $250 million bribery scheme, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces intensifying political scrutiny as opposition leader Rahul Gandhi demands an investigation into the Adani conglomerate's alleged corruption. Simultaneously, China's real estate sector remains in deep crisis with 2.8 billion square meters of unsold inventory, a situation driven by restrictive debt policies and hampered by ineffective government interventions that have failed to clear housing stocks or restore consumer confidence. In the cultural sphere, psychologist Jordan Peterson continues to polarize public opinion through his new theological book and controversial rhetoric, sustaining a commercially lucrative ecosystem of followers and critics while navigating academic and societal backlash regarding his views on gender and free speech.
- The Economist23 min
Modi’s mess: a shock election result spells uncertainty for India
Modi, Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, Jeremy Page, Anjani Trivedi, Emily Steinmark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third term with his BJP party relying on coalition partners after failing to win an absolute majority, forcing a shift from centralized governance to a consensus-based approach. In parallel, foreign investment in Africa contracted by $32 billion due to global economic headwinds, prompting businesses to pivot toward regional supply chains despite persistent logistical hurdles like visa restrictions. Meanwhile, researchers from the University of Milan successfully demonstrated that running along a suspended circular wall could simulate lunar gravity using only two minutes of daily exercise, offering a potential low-tech solution for long-term space health.