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Tag: geopolitics

Tariffs Have Changed ‘Plumbing’ of Global Finance (Szn 7, Epsd 8)Podcast episode cover art featuring Axel Merk

Tariffs Have Changed ‘Plumbing’ of Global Finance (Szn 7, Epsd 8)

Published May 6, 2025

With Axel Merk, Merk Investments

Axel Merk of Merk Investments rejoins the podcast to discuss his view that Trump’s tariffs have fundamentally unbalanced the global financial order. This has created real risks, but also opportunities…

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday, April 30 and was made available to premium subscribers the following day. More information on premium subscriptions is available here.

Content Highlights

  • The ‘plumbing’ of the global financial system has been upended as a result of tariffs (1:35);
  • China will not dump all their US Treasury holdings overnight. But tariffs will impact future flows. A fragmentation away from US dollar-denominated assets is likely (6:50);
  • Are tariffs inflationary or deflationary? They’re a supply shock: stagflation is the result (10:42);
  • If global trade is impeded and ultimately curtailed, how does this not end badly for economic growth? It will require a mental change from the existing environment. Fortunately, history has ample examples of this transition… (16:19);
  • Europe and China may face trouble in this new world order. So will Turkey. “There will be more tension” (24:45);
  • The case for gold and gold miners (32:16);
  • Does the US enter recession this year? Economic numbers are going to be distorted, so it may not matter. But the spike in imports heading into tariffs will almost certainly create inventory build-up… (37:18).

More on the Guest

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Prepare for End of US Dollar Cycle, as Emerging Markets Rise (Szn 7, Epsd 2)Podcast episode cover art feat Rohit Goel, Breakout Capital

Prepare for End of US Dollar Cycle, as Emerging Markets Rise (Szn 7, Epsd 2)

Published February 13, 2025

With Rohit Goel, Breakout Capital

Rohit Goel of Breakout Capital joins the podcast to discuss his view that the boom in the US dollar (and in US dollar-denominated assets) will soon give way, to be replaced by a long-awaited bullish cycle in emerging markets.

This podcast episode was recorded Friday, Feb. 7 and released to premium subscribers the following business day. There are numerous other benefits to becoming a premium subscriber, which can be read on our Substack.

Content Highlights

  • Markets have grown accustomed to US dollar dominance and with it a surge in US assets, specifically stocks. That is due for a cyclical reversal (1:00);
  • There are three factors supporting US growth. One of them is almost certainly due to run its course (4:43);
  • The global economy revolves around the US consumer as driver of growth. But that too can change — and other markets are better equipped to pick up the slack on their own (9:26);
  • Despite all this, the US dollar should maintain its status as reserve currency. However, its dominance is waning (14:55);
  • Background on the guest (23:28);
  • Big tech stocks have worked very well for over a decade. But things are shifting to eat into their cashflows and there are reasons to believe too much optimism could be priced in… (26:07);
  • The trend is for growth to originate elsewhere than US tech… (30:28);
  • Discussion of frontier markets (35:33).

The guest requests listeners connect through LinkedIn.

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The Looming Iceberg Ahead of the US Economy (Szn 7, Epsd 1)

Published January 28, 2025

Les Rubin, Main Street Economics

Les Rubin of Main Street Economics joins the podcast to discuss his chief concern facing not just markets and economies, but the world at large: US sovereign debt.

This podcast episode was recorded on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 and released to premium subscribers the same day. Information on premium subscriptions, including the vast benefits, are available on our Substack.

Content Highlights

  • The US economy is headed to ‘serious problems’ and the guest’s mission is to educate people to the gravity of the situation (1:47);
  • Debt and fiscal deficits are nothing for the US. But its debt/GDP ratios is reaching a breaking point (2:57);
  • How soon might the breaking point arrive? (5:30);
  • Is there anything from the new Trump administration that might turn the tide? Elon Musk’s DOGE program has promise… (11:02);
  • What about tariffs? (16:22);
  • Background on the guest (20:36);
  • The need for more education: not just financial literacy, but economics (23:55).

More Information on the Guest

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