In this episode of Energy Impacts, host David Blackmon sits down with David Malpass, former head of the World Bank Group, for an insightful discussion on U.S.–China trade relations, rare earth supply chains, and the global energy landscape. Malpass shares his perspective on rebuilding American manufacturing, the real costs of climate policies, and how energy independence will shape future economic growth. From Bill Gates’ shift on climate strategy to the critical role of nuclear power and data centers, this conversation dives deep into the policies and innovations driving the world’s energy future.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:01 - Introduction

01:54 - David Malpass’ Career Journey

04:18 - Trump-Xi Trade Agreement on Rare Earths

08:02 - Agricultural Trade and U.S. Competitiveness

10:54 - Contrasting the Trump and Biden Administrations

14:14 - The U.S. Rare Earth Supply Chain Challenge

19:41 - China’s Strategic Dominance in Manufacturing

23:19 - Bill Gates’ Shift on Climate Change

28:16 - The Real Cost of Climate Policies

32:53 - Electric Vehicle Industry Pitfalls

36:51 - Building U.S. Energy Independence

42:22 - Competing with China’s Scale and Control

45:28 - ESG Investing and Policy Shifts

46:34 - The Role of Nuclear Power in Energy Security

50:17 - Data Centers Driving Energy Demand

53:47 - Closing Thoughts