Latest Interviews
Showing 1–13 of 13 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist23 min
Fed man walking? Trump v Powell
Trump, Powell, Jason Palmer, Simon Rabinovich, Archie Hall, Emily Steinmark
President Trump's threats to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell triggered a market crisis and highlighted legal hurdles protecting the central bank's autonomy, though analysts warn that undermining the Fed could force higher rates and deepen economic stagnation. Simultaneously, global remote work trends are solidifying a five-year post-pandemic equilibrium in English-speaking nations, driving suburban housing prices up while introducing social challenges like increased isolation. Concurrent environmental assessments reveal that despite eliminating tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles generate significant non-exhaust particulate matter due to heavy battery packs, prompting calls for lighter designs and stricter regulatory oversight.
- The Economist21 min
Doomed traders: Trump’s tariff fallout
Trump, Rosie Bloor, Rachna Shambhog, Tom Sass, Emily Steinmark
Following the US announcement of global tariffs on April 2, major economies including China and Canada implemented retaliatory measures that triggered a $12 trillion drop in global market value and elevated recession probabilities to 60%. Despite diplomatic outreach from approximately 50 nations, the US administration maintains its stance, with officials describing the policy as a permanent restructuring of trade that has forced corporations to delay capital investments. Analysts warn that these developments will likely result in two decades of protectionism and reduced global economic integration.
- The Economist22 min
Cold call: Putin thwarts Trump
Putin, Trump, Rosie Bloor, Chris Lockwood, Simon Wright, Katherine Nixie
President Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to secure a comprehensive ceasefire during a two-hour call, with Putin rejecting blanket terms in favor of a limited energy infrastructure halt that Russia violated hours later. This diplomatic setback, compounded by unaddressed US demands regarding Ukrainian recruitment and military aid, has alarmed European leaders who are responding by suspending debt brakes and withdrawing from landmine treaties. Meanwhile, the broader geopolitical outlook suggests a potential US pivot toward Russia in the Middle East that risks sidelining Ukraine, leaving Europe to accelerate its own defense preparations amid fears of diminished American reliability.
- The Economist23 min
Emmanuel dexterity: Trump and Macron chat
Emmanuel, Trump, Macron, Jason Palmer, Sophie Petter, John Joe Devlin, Eva Torstad, Dr. Kelrong Utne, Henrik Weiss, Dolly Sesson
French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump concluded a three-hour Washington meeting where Macron corrected Trump's Russia narrative and framed a potential European-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine as a strategic turning point. This diplomatic exchange highlighted a broader shift toward European strategic autonomy as leaders address NATO defense spending gaps and questions regarding American reliability. Simultaneously, Norway's wild salmon collapse, driven by aquaculture parasites and shifting oceanic conditions, has prompted immediate fishing bans and calls for escape-free farming technologies. Finally, the Michelin Guide is adapting to the digital age by expanding into new markets like India and prioritizing sustainable, informal dining over traditional luxury to maintain authority against social media critics.
- The Economist26 min
As a next resort: Trump’s vision for Gaza
Trump, Binyamin Netanyahu, Jason Palmer, Rosie Bloor, Anshul Pfeffer, Avantika Chilkoti
Donald Trump's proposal to economically redevelop the Gaza Strip by relocating its two million Palestinians has drawn immediate rejection from Arab foreign ministers and the governments of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, while garnering ecstatic support from Israeli far-right figures. Analysts widely characterize the plan as practically unfeasible and morally indefensible, suggesting it may serve as a political distraction for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than a viable diplomatic strategy. Simultaneously, rising tensions over the 1943–1944 Volhynia massacres threaten to strain Poland-Ukraine relations, while global baby industry spending surges despite demographic shifts and economic constraints.
- The Economist23 min
Putty people: can Trump get his picks?
Trump, Rosie Bloor, Adam O'Neill, Avantika Chirkotty, Luke Lithgow
The Trump administration is advancing controversial cabinet confirmations, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, while facing judicial and legislative resistance to executive overreach and potential pardons. Simultaneously, the global luxury market is contracting as aspirational brands struggle with economic headwinds, prompting a strategic pivot toward exclusivity and ultra-high-end clientele. In Australia, scientists are deploying genetic modifications and tadpole trapping to control the invasive cane toad population, which currently threatens native predators with lethal toxins.
- The Economist20 min
Legally bombed: Trump cases dropped
Trump, Rosie Bloor, Adam O'Neill, Dina Musa, Andrew Palmer
Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to dismiss two federal cases against former President Donald Trump, citing presidential immunity and the constitutional policy barring the prosecution of sitting presidents, while Trump simultaneously declared a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports. Concurrently, a New York court found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts regarding hush money payments, though sentencing was indefinitely postponed to prevent the conviction of an active president. Legal analysts note that while these federal cases can be refiled depending on future political control, Trump and his allies view the dismissals as a definitive victory against politically motivated prosecutions.
- The Economist25 min
Up and atom: can Trump stop Iranian nukes?
Trump, Rosie Bloor, Greg Kallstrom, Jason Chow, Avantika Chirkotty
Geopolitical tensions regarding Iran's nuclear program have intensified as its enriched uranium stockpile reaches 6,000 kilograms while a potential second Trump administration prepares to reimpose "maximum pressure" sanctions aimed at regime change or a new comprehensive agreement. Simultaneously, China confronts a demographic collapse with a fertility rate of 1.1 by enforcing aggressive pro-natalist policies that link housing loans and taxes to family size, marking a stark return to state-controlled reproduction. In the commercial sector, the $400 billion global sportswear market is undergoing significant disruption as Nike and Adidas lose ground to agile competitors like On and Hoka, who capitalize on low entry barriers and a shifting consumer preference for performance footwear over lifestyle brands.
- The Economist23 min
Foiled again: a second attempt on Trump
Trump, Rosie Bloor, John Priddo, Paul Markely, Anne Rowe
Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt by former activist Ryan Wesley Routh, sparking renewed scrutiny over Secret Service protocols and prompting Republicans to leverage the incident for fundraising while media narratives shifted toward security. Concurrently, the expanding utility of digital twin technology is transforming sectors from Formula One racing to medical diagnostics by enabling real-time virtual simulations that predict maintenance needs and test surgical procedures. In a separate cultural development, Brazilian bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes died at 83, leaving behind a legacy of blending global pop hits with Brazilian rhythms and maintaining a strong national identity despite decades in the United States.
- The Economist53 min
Open to debate: Harris and Trump clash
Harris, Trump, John Prideaux, Charlotte Howard, Adam O'Neal, James Bennet, Lane Greene, Owen Winter, John Priddow
The September 2024 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump drew over 67 million viewers and established a critical juncture in a historically tight election. Analysis indicates that Harris successfully employed a prosecutorial strategy to expose Trump's policy vagueness and age-related concerns, earning a post-debate victory according to 63% of surveyed viewers. Consequently, major forecasting models have adjusted the race to a near toss-up with Harris's probability rising to 49% amidst her campaign's significant financial advantage and the strategic deployment of debate moments against her opponent.
- The Economist23 min
Don wan: Harris keeps Trump tame
Harris, Trump, Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, James Bennett, Amelia Wood, Ora Ogunbiyi
Vice President Kamala Harris dominated the election debate by reframing border security discussions and presenting specific economic policies, while Donald Trump failed to detail healthcare alternatives, repeated false claims about the 2020 election, and offered vague responses on Ukraine. Analyst James Bennett observed that although Harris put Trump "on the back foot" with this performance, the event is unlikely to significantly shift polling or the campaign's ultimate outcome. Simultaneously, a global medical review highlighted the United States' critical role as the primary plasma exporter, contrasting its payment-based donation model with restrictive European regulations driven by safety concerns and political contradictions. This economic strain also extends to Nigeria, where rising living costs are forcing Yoruba families to consolidate multi-day weddings into single-day events and replace luxury customs with modest, practical alternatives.
- The Economist15 min
How Trump is still damaging American politics
Trump, John Priddoe, Tudor Dixon
Following the 2020 election, Donald Trump's rejection of the results triggered political violence, widespread harassment of election officials, and a shift within the Republican Party where truth-tellers face expulsion while Trump allies actively recruit election deniers for state-level offices. Concurrently, 52 voting restriction laws enacted in 2021 and 2022 have narrowed access to voting under unsubstantiated fraud claims, creating systemic vulnerabilities for the 2024 presidential election. Experts warn that these combined forces of anti-democratic rhetoric, legislative interference, and a polarized party apparatus pose an existential threat to the certification of future elections and the stability of the American federal system.
- The Economist24 min
The data revolution: privacy, politics and predictive policing
Dr Tom Devlin, Trump, Nick Bowers, Carol Reed, Hal Hodson, David Carroll, Mark Zuckerberg, Jamie Garcia, Hamid Khan, Sergeant David Rich, Anthony, Leo Hu
The event examines how the exponential growth of data generation is transforming healthcare through AI tools like Viz.ai while simultaneously enabling invasive surveillance in consumer marketing, law enforcement, and state control systems. Key case studies include the medical success of stroke detection algorithms, the electoral manipulation via Cambridge Analytica's unauthorized data harvesting, and the controversial implementation of China's Social Credit System. Furthermore, the discussion highlights significant ethical conflicts surrounding predictive policing biases in Los Angeles and the ongoing legal battles to ensure transparency in how personal data is collected and utilized by governments and corporations.