Episode Summary:

We also speak with Ed Gresser, VP of the Progressive Policy Institute, who helps unpack tariff escalation, economic shifts, and the power of data in today’s rapidly evolving trade landscape.

Oh, and we discuss how Afghanistan is suddenly a booming tourist destination (yes, really) and why Jaguar just dropped $80 million on custom car paint.

Expect deep insights, witty banter, and the kind of trade talk that actually keeps you awake.

🔥 Tariffs & Trade Wars 2.0 – The U.S. is going all-in on tariffs, but will it backfire? We analyze who gets hit hardest and why Mexico is taking a one-month pause before retaliating.

🧠 AI’s "Sputnik Moment" – China’s DeepSeek AI has shaken the global tech world, wiping out $1 trillion in U.S. tech stocks. Are U.S. chip restrictions failing? And what does this mean for the future of AI dominance?

🇪🇺 Europe’s Economic Identity Crisis – Is the EU finally rethinking its strict regulations? We break down how France and others are pushing for fewer rules and bigger corporate champions to compete globally.

🇨🇭 Switzerland’s Trade Play – While everyone else tightens their borders, Switzerland is expanding free trade agreements, doubling down on market access amid rising global tensions.

✈️ Tourism in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan? – Believe it or not, thousands of tourists are flocking to Afghanistan. We examine who’s going and why.

🎨 Luxury or Lunacy? Jaguar’s $80M Paint Investment – While most of the world worries about inflation, Jaguar is out here spending millions to offer more custom paint jobs. A smart branding move or just another sign of widening wealth gaps?

🎙️ Guest Spotlight: Ed Gresser (PPI) – We talk tariff escalation, trade shifts, and why data matters more than ever in economic policymaking.

📌 [02:00] – AI’s “Humanity’s Last Exam” – Should we be worried?