What does tie China and America together, but pulls them both apart? Two superpowers irretrievably opposed, culturally, psychologically, politically, but both led by headstrong leaders with despotic tendencies. They get along – begrudgingly – but is this moment in history as much about the struggle for world dominance as it is about the financial implications for both countries?

And let’s not forget the question of pride: not only are both sides refusing to back down, but Trump is delighting in nations now coming to him - or so he says - pleading for tariff deals. While a spokesman for the Chinese has made it clear that they’re in this fiscal fistfight until the end. 

What to do? Who can possibly win? If anyone…

In this week’s episode, we look both east and west as we get the American perspective from Edward Alden, economics guru and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and the view from China from Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the China Institute at The School of Oriental and African Studies.

Follow us on Twitter, Tiktok and Instagram @apocalypsenowpod, and you can get in touch via email at [email protected] 

Take our show survey here: 

https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=18

Presenter:  David Patrikarakos

Producer: Philip Wilding

Editor: Chelsey Moore

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices