In this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo break down the latest developments in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, particularly around tariffs and energy, with insights into how these pressures could shape future relationships.

The conversation shifts to the growing energy demands of AI, as Matt and John explore how both the U.S. and China are navigating energy needs, and whether Canada could play a more significant role. They also analyze NVIDIA’s $110 billion vendor financing strategy, drawing comparisons to the telecom bubble, and discuss the growing risks in data center financing. With the IPO of Fair Me America, they examine how the market is reacting to tech companies with no assets but huge valuations. A packed episode full of fresh insights on the intersection of tech, politics, and business.

A Quick Word from our Sponsor, Fasken

At Fasken, our clients don’t wait for the future. They build it. As the first and largest dedicated emerging tech practice in Canada, our team is composed of founders, ex in-house counsel, developers and business advisors who have guided clients from startup, to scale-up, to exit. The trust of our clients has enabled us to consistently rank at the top of every major Canadian M&A, Capital Markets and Venture Capital league table. With deep industry knowledge and experience across all areas of emerging and high growth technology including ClimateTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and AgTech we’re your partners within the innovation ecosystem as you transform the landscape of what’s possible.

Tomorrow starts here. Own it with us.

For more information, visit fasken.com/emergingtech and follow us on LinkedIn.

US-Canada Relations & Trump’s Tariff Strategy (04:28)

Matt and John discuss the ongoing negotiations between Mark Carney and President Trump regarding trade policies, tariffs, and key sectors like steel, aluminum, and energy. Can Canada withstand the pressure, or will it need to change its approach?

The Energy Battle Between the US and China (09:03)

What role does energy play in geopolitics? Matt and John explore how both the US and China are navigating their energy needs, and why Canada has lost some of its leverage as the world’s energy supply game changes.

NVIDIA’s Vendor Financing Playbook: Lessons from Lucent & Nortel (11:18)

John shares a deep dive into how NVIDIA’s vendor financing strategy mirrors the mistakes made during the telecom bubble, drawing parallels to the strategies employed by Lucent and Nortel. What’s the risk when revenues are tied to customers who may never pay?

AI, Data Centers, and the Future of Technology (17:20)

From the massive energy demands of AI to the rise of private equity-backed data centers, Matt and John dissect the latest AI and GPU investments and how the industry’s future could be shaped by companies like Meta and OpenAI.

The “Yellowstone Club” of Hyperscalers (20:26)

The two discuss the bizarre world of hyperscalers and REITs, looking at how some data center startups are getting massive valuations without any real assets or revenue, and what this means for the future of tech investments.

Bezos Weighs In on the AI Bubble (25:12)

Jeff Bezos surprises everyone with his thoughts on the AI industry, calling it an “industrial bubble” rather than a financial one, and analyzing the disconnect between massive investments and real-world returns.

Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffolo

Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1

Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com