January 29, 2025

Trump's Executive Orders, China's Economy, The Bull Case for the Middle East, and Europe's Decline

1 hour 2 minutes

In this episode, Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith discuss wide range of topics, including Trump’s executive orders and their effects on U.S. politics, international tariffs, Michael Pettis's views on China's economy, the Middle East’s potential with solar energy, and Europe’s socio-political shifts, all through the lens of economics.

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Highlights from the Episode:

There's worry about potential economic instability if Trump's aggressive trade policies lead to stagflation.

Concern about China potentially influencing Trump through various financial mechanisms, including cryptocurrency.

The Middle East holds a surprisingly optimistic outlook, with the end of the "oil curse" prompting institutional growth, its geography offering ideal conditions for solar energy, and the potential for solar-powered desalination to transform agriculture.

European countries struggle more with integration due to different cultural approaches and institutional structures.

Interesting parallel drawn between Europe's historical transformation after the 30 Years War and potential for Middle East development.

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