Podcasts about World Trade Organization

Shadow Negotiators: How UN Organizations Shape the Rules of World Trade for Food Security (Stanford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Matias E. Margulis is the first book to demonstrate that United Nations (UN) organizations have intervened to influence the discourse, agenda, and outcomes of international trade lawmaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While UN organizations lack a seat at the bargaining table at the WTO, Dr. Margulis argues that these organizations have acted as "shadow negotiators" engaged in political actions intended to alter the trajectory and results of multilateral trade negotiations. He draws on analysis of one of the most contested issues in global trade politics, agricultural trade liberalization, to demonstrate interventions by four different UN organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (SRRTF). By identifying several novel intervention strategies used by UN actors to shape the rules of global trade, this book shows that UN organizations chose to intervene in trade lawmaking not out of competition with the WTO or ideological resistance to trade liberalization, but out of concerns that specific trade rules could have negative consequences for world food security—an outcome these organizations viewed as undermining their social purpose to reduce world hunger and protect the human right to food. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Shadow Negotiators: How UN Organizations Shape the Rules of World Trade for Food Security (Stanford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Matias E. Margulis is the first book to demonstrate that United Nations (UN) organizations have intervened to influence the discourse, agenda, and outcomes of international trade lawmaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While UN organizations lack a seat at the bargaining table at the WTO, Dr. Margulis argues that these organizations have acted as "shadow negotiators" engaged in political actions intended to alter the trajectory and results of multilateral trade negotiations. He draws on analysis of one of the most contested issues in global trade politics, agricultural trade liberalization, to demonstrate interventions by four different UN organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (SRRTF). By identifying several novel intervention strategies used by UN actors to shape the rules of global trade, this book shows that UN organizations chose to intervene in trade lawmaking not out of competition with the WTO or ideological resistance to trade liberalization, but out of concerns that specific trade rules could have negative consequences for world food security—an outcome these organizations viewed as undermining their social purpose to reduce world hunger and protect the human right to food. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Shadow Negotiators: How UN Organizations Shape the Rules of World Trade for Food Security (Stanford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Matias E. Margulis is the first book to demonstrate that United Nations (UN) organizations have intervened to influence the discourse, agenda, and outcomes of international trade lawmaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While UN organizations lack a seat at the bargaining table at the WTO, Dr. Margulis argues that these organizations have acted as "shadow negotiators" engaged in political actions intended to alter the trajectory and results of multilateral trade negotiations. He draws on analysis of one of the most contested issues in global trade politics, agricultural trade liberalization, to demonstrate interventions by four different UN organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (SRRTF). By identifying several novel intervention strategies used by UN actors to shape the rules of global trade, this book shows that UN organizations chose to intervene in trade lawmaking not out of competition with the WTO or ideological resistance to trade liberalization, but out of concerns that specific trade rules could have negative consequences for world food security—an outcome these organizations viewed as undermining their social purpose to reduce world hunger and protect the human right to food. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

Shadow Negotiators: How UN Organizations Shape the Rules of World Trade for Food Security (Stanford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Matias E. Margulis is the first book to demonstrate that United Nations (UN) organizations have intervened to influence the discourse, agenda, and outcomes of international trade lawmaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While UN organizations lack a seat at the bargaining table at the WTO, Dr. Margulis argues that these organizations have acted as "shadow negotiators" engaged in political actions intended to alter the trajectory and results of multilateral trade negotiations. He draws on analysis of one of the most contested issues in global trade politics, agricultural trade liberalization, to demonstrate interventions by four different UN organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (SRRTF). By identifying several novel intervention strategies used by UN actors to shape the rules of global trade, this book shows that UN organizations chose to intervene in trade lawmaking not out of competition with the WTO or ideological resistance to trade liberalization, but out of concerns that specific trade rules could have negative consequences for world food security—an outcome these organizations viewed as undermining their social purpose to reduce world hunger and protect the human right to food. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/food

Shadow Negotiators: How UN Organizations Shape the Rules of World Trade for Food Security (Stanford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Matias E. Margulis is the first book to demonstrate that United Nations (UN) organizations have intervened to influence the discourse, agenda, and outcomes of international trade lawmaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While UN organizations lack a seat at the bargaining table at the WTO, Dr. Margulis argues that these organizations have acted as "shadow negotiators" engaged in political actions intended to alter the trajectory and results of multilateral trade negotiations. He draws on analysis of one of the most contested issues in global trade politics, agricultural trade liberalization, to demonstrate interventions by four different UN organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (SRRTF). By identifying several novel intervention strategies used by UN actors to shape the rules of global trade, this book shows that UN organizations chose to intervene in trade lawmaking not out of competition with the WTO or ideological resistance to trade liberalization, but out of concerns that specific trade rules could have negative consequences for world food security—an outcome these organizations viewed as undermining their social purpose to reduce world hunger and protect the human right to food. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/law

Shadow Negotiators: How UN Organizations Shape the Rules of World Trade for Food Security (Stanford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Matias E. Margulis is the first book to demonstrate that United Nations (UN) organizations have intervened to influence the discourse, agenda, and outcomes of international trade lawmaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While UN organizations lack a seat at the bargaining table at the WTO, Dr. Margulis argues that these organizations have acted as "shadow negotiators" engaged in political actions intended to alter the trajectory and results of multilateral trade negotiations. He draws on analysis of one of the most contested issues in global trade politics, agricultural trade liberalization, to demonstrate interventions by four different UN organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (SRRTF). By identifying several novel intervention strategies used by UN actors to shape the rules of global trade, this book shows that UN organizations chose to intervene in trade lawmaking not out of competition with the WTO or ideological resistance to trade liberalization, but out of concerns that specific trade rules could have negative consequences for world food security—an outcome these organizations viewed as undermining their social purpose to reduce world hunger and protect the human right to food. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shadow Negotiators: How UN Organizations Shape the Rules of World Trade for Food Security (Stanford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Matias E. Margulis is the first book to demonstrate that United Nations (UN) organizations have intervened to influence the discourse, agenda, and outcomes of international trade lawmaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While UN organizations lack a seat at the bargaining table at the WTO, Dr. Margulis argues that these organizations have acted as "shadow negotiators" engaged in political actions intended to alter the trajectory and results of multilateral trade negotiations. He draws on analysis of one of the most contested issues in global trade politics, agricultural trade liberalization, to demonstrate interventions by four different UN organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (SRRTF). By identifying several novel intervention strategies used by UN actors to shape the rules of global trade, this book shows that UN organizations chose to intervene in trade lawmaking not out of competition with the WTO or ideological resistance to trade liberalization, but out of concerns that specific trade rules could have negative consequences for world food security—an outcome these organizations viewed as undermining their social purpose to reduce world hunger and protect the human right to food. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

Former premier Zhu Rongji passed away in Beijing on Wednesday. He was 98.Zhu, who had served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 14th and 15th Central Committees of the Communist Party of China, died of illness, according to an official obituary.The obituary was jointly issued by the CPC Central Committee; the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature; the State Council, China's Cabinet; and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body.It extolled Zhu as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist fighter, and an outstanding proletarian revolutionist, statesman and leader of the Party and the State.Born in October 1928 in Changsha, Hunan province, Zhu joined revolutionary work in December 1948 and became a CPC member in October 1949.Between 1987 and 1991, he served successively as deputy secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, mayor of Shanghai, and secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee.During his tenure, he advocated for adjusting the city's industrial structure, developing an export-oriented economy and enhancing its international competitiveness.Zhu played a crucial role in advancing the development and opening-up of Shanghai's Pudong New Area. His efforts laid a solid foundation for Shanghai's further reform, opening-up and development, the obituary said.In 1991, Zhu was appointed vice-premier of the State Council.In October 1992, he was elected a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its standing committee, and he was responsible for the executive work of the State Council.In June 1993, he concurrently served as the governor of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank.Zhu studied and developed approaches and measures to strengthen and improve macroeconomic regulation, making significant and effective contributions to curbing an overheated economy, reining in inflation and achieving an economic "soft landing".He pushed forward efforts to rectify and restore order in the fiscal and taxation sectors, accelerated fiscal and tax reforms and helped improve China's financial regulation system.In September 1997, Zhu was reelected a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its standing committee.In March 1998, he was appointed premier of the State Council, and he later served as the secretary of the leading Party members group of the State Council.Facing the impact of the Asian financial crisis and the catastrophic flooding in China, Zhu focused on a shift from implementing a moderately tight fiscal and monetary policy to adopting a proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy, expanding domestic demand and deepening reforms in key areas, thereby maintaining steady and rapid economic growth.During Zhu's tenure as vice-premier and premier of the State Council, a series of policies and measures were adopted to expand opening-up, encourage exports, keep the renminbi exchange rate stable without devaluation, attract foreign investment, and firmly safeguard the prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as an international financial center.He also presided over the implementation of major reforms in the social security system, healthcare system, and investment and financing system, among others, promoting the establishment of the basic framework of a socialist market economy.He oversaw the completion of the arduous negotiations for China's accession to the World Trade Organization.In March 2003, Zhu no longer served as premier of the State Council. After retiring from leadership posts, he steadfastly upheld and supported the leadership of the CPC Central Committee.He continued to care about the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and firmly supported efforts to improve conduct, promote integrity and fight corruption.Zhu's life was a revolutionary, fighting and glorious one, and one that was dedicated to wholeheartedly serving the people and the communist cause, the obituary said, adding that his death is a great loss to the Party and the State.

Unmasking the Shadows: A Deep Dive with Tom Luongo on Global Power, Energy, and Geopolitics Join us for a compelling conversation with Tom Luongo, a seasoned researcher and libertarian thinker, as we explore the shifting landscape of global geopolitics, the decline of Western dominance, and the strategic moves behind energy and financial systems. This episode offers insight into the unseen battles shaping our future, challenging mainstream narratives, and inspiring critical thinking. He is a Former Research Chemist, Amateur Dairy Goat Farmer, Anarcho-Libertarian and Obstreperous Austrian Economist whose work can be found on sites like Zerohedge, Lewrockwell.com, Bitcoin Magazine and Newsmax Media. https://tomluongo.me/ https://x.com/TFL1728?s=20 In this episode: Tom Luongo's perspective on the transformation of Western powers and the concept of "The West" The strategic importance of energy sources like uranium and thorium in future power structures How global financial systems and institutions like the BIS, IMF, and World Trade Organization operate to maintain control The role of the United States in shifting the global order and preserving its sovereignty The influence of technocrats and AI in modern geopolitical strategies Key events and their implications, including the significance of the Israel-Iran conflict and recent NATO summits The subtle moves behind U.S. military and diplomatic actions under Trump and Biden regimes The potential impacts of election fraud revelations and political realignments Grassroots strategies for rebuilding local communities as a form of resistance The ongoing influence of colonial and globalist networks entrenched in the current system   To gain access to the second half of show and our Plus feed for audio and podcast please clink the link http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support. For second half of video (when applicable and audio) go to our Substack and Subscribe. https://grimericaoutlawed.substack.com/ or to our Locals  https://grimericaoutlawed.locals.com/ or Patreon https://www.patreon.com/grimericaoutlawed   Support the show directly: https://open.spotify.com/show/2punSyd9Cw76ZtvHxMKenI?si=ImKxfMHgQZ-oshl499O4dQ&nd=1&dlsi=4c25fa9c78674de3 Watch or Listen on Spotify https://www.simulationmaps.com/#products Disaster Maps, Volcano Sim, Asteroid Sim, Shipwreck Map, UFO Map etc https://grimericacbd.com/ CBD / THC Tinctures and Gummies https://grimerica.ca/support-2/ Our Adultbrain Audiobook Podcast and Website: www.adultbrain.ca Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimericans  Https://t.me.grimerica grimerica.ca/chats   Discord Chats Darren's books www.acanadianshame.ca Sign up for our newsletter http://www.grimerica.ca/news InstaGRAM https://www.instagram.com/the_grimerica_show_podcast/  Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show www.grimerica.ca/swag ART - Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/  MUSIC Tru Northperception, Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com    Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Unveiling the hidden layers of global power shifts 02:29 - The myth of "The West" as a monolithic entity 04:29 - The real divide: New World vs. Old World orders 06:22 - The European influence and its enduring legacy in global networks 07:58 - America's unique identity and its separation from European culture 09:22 - The deep state and the structural erosion of U.S. federalism 10:48 - The global banking system and the control of currencies and debts 12:15 - The constitutional transformations and the rise of fourth branches of government 14:38 - The financial war against old systems and the role of central banks 15:20 - The strategic moves in energy, including pipelines and pipelines bypassing choke points 17:17 - The Canadian landscape and resistance to globalist control 18:23 - Mainstream media and the control of narratives in America and Canada 20:04 - The slow erosion of American sovereignty since revolutionary times 22:29 - Processes of incremental change and the Fabian gradualism model 24:21 - Historical conspiracies and the persistence of British influence 27:23 - The modern colonialist and resource extraction systems 30:17 - The geopolitical chessboard: Russia, China, and U.S. military posturing 33:46 - The real significance of artificial intelligence, technological control, and surveillance 36:46 - The technocrat class and their strategies for societal control 43:46 - Grassroots community rebuilding as a form of resistance 50:02 - The importance of recognizing incremental victories and long-term planning 58:13 - The emerging new energy and technological frontiers: uranium, thorium, and free energy 66:41 - The symbolic and real importance of personalities in geopolitics: Lindsey Graham, Netanyahu, and others 73:41 - The likely candidates for upcoming U.S. leadership and their possible trajectories 82:41 - Closing thoughts and how to stay informed and engaged in the new world order                                

AI: Industrial depth to help lower costs overseas人工智能产业纵深发展，助力海外产品降价China's vision to turn artificial intelligence from an expensive frontier technology into a resource for affordable, widely accessible applications will bring huge benefits to more countries, businesses and ordinary people worldwide, said leading industry experts and company executives.业内权威专家与企业高管表示，中国提出愿景：将人工智能从成本高昂的前沿技术，转化为普惠亲民、随处可用的基础资源，这将为全球更多国家、企业与普通民众带来巨大红利。They made the comments on Tuesday after President Xi Jinping, in his keynote speech on Friday at the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, said that AI should be developed "for the positive, for good and for humanity".本周二，一众业内人士发表上述观点。此前，习近平主席于周五在上海2026世界人工智能大会暨全球人工智能治理高级别会议发表主旨演讲，提出人工智能发展要“向上向善、造福人类”。"AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation," Xi said.习近平主席指出：“人工智能发展不应是一国独奏，而应是国际合作的交响。”He called for coordinated advances in the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries, the cultivation and growth of emerging industries, and forward-looking planning for future industries, so that all sectors and businesses can benefit from AI.他呼吁协同推进传统产业转型升级、培育壮大新兴产业、前瞻布局未来产业，让各行各业、各类市场主体都能共享人工智能发展红利。Long Yongtu, China's former chief negotiator for its accession to the World Trade Organization, said the rise of AI has become another turning point in the country's economic development.前中国入世首席谈判代表龙永图表示，人工智能的崛起，是中国经济发展的又一个转折点。He said that China's entry into the WTO in 2001 unleashed the vitality of millions of market participants after restrictions on foreign trade rights were relaxed, helping the country grow into the world's largest trader in goods and allowing ordinary people to increase their income through international commerce.他谈到，2001年中国加入世界贸易组织，外贸经营权限制放宽，激活了千万市场主体活力，推动中国成为全球第一货物贸易大国，普通人也得以通过国际贸易增收致富。"Now, entering the age of AI heralds a new era of opening-up. AI is triggering a similarly profound transformation by reshaping production relationships, corporate structures and the cost of starting a business in the country," Long said.龙永图称：“如今，人工智能时代的到来，开启对外开放全新阶段。人工智能重塑国内生产关系、企业组织模式与创业成本，带来同样深刻的变革。”According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China has embraced AI with open arms, with the value of its core AI industries exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan ($177 billion) last year, maintaining annual growth of more than 20 percent for several consecutive years.工信部数据显示，中国全面拥抱人工智能产业。去年我国人工智能核心产业规模突破1.2万亿元（折合1770亿美元），连续多年保持20%以上年增速。Furthermore, the country is seeking to turn AI into real-world applications and a driver of economic growth.除此之外，中国着力推动人工智能落地实景应用，使之成为经济增长核心引擎。In the first half of this year, the industrial output of AI-related sectors, including integrated circuit manufacturing and in-vehicle intelligent equipment manufacturing, grew more than 30 percent.今年上半年，集成电路制造、车载智能装备制造等人工智能相关产业工业产值同比增长超30%。Long predicted that more individuals and small, specialized companies that use AI to perform work that previously required much larger organizations will emerge to become new drivers of the economy.龙永图预判，未来会涌现大量个体从业者与专精小企业，依托人工智能完成过去大型机构才能承接的业务，成为经济增长新动力。"Success should ultimately be judged not by model rankings or investment valuations, but by whether AI really improves people's lives," he added.他补充道：“评判AI发展成败，最终不在于大模型榜单、企业估值高低，而在于人工智能是否真正改善民生。”Efforts to push AI beyond chatbots and benchmark rankings into the physical economy include China's "AI Plus" initiative, which seeks to embed AI in manufacturing, finance, healthcare, energy and public services.中国推出“人工智能+”行动，推动人工智能跳出聊天机器人、模型榜单的局限，深度融入实体经济，赋能制造、金融、医疗、能源、公共服务各大领域。President Xi also said in his speech that China should facilitate technological innovation, industrial development and "scenario-based application of AI".习近平主席在演讲中同时提出，中国要统筹推进人工智能技术创新、产业培育与场景落地应用。Huo Fupeng, director of the innovation-driven development center of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that "China is leveraging its complete industrial system, enormous range of application scenarios and super-sized market to accelerate AI's deployment across thousands of industries".国家发改委创新驱动发展中心主任霍福鹏表示：“中国依托完备工业体系、海量应用场景与超大规模市场优势，加速人工智能向千行百业渗透落地。”"Its dense industrial supply chains and vast domestic market give developers an environment in which technologies can be tested, refined and deployed at scale," he said.他表示，国内完备密集的产业链、广阔内需市场，为技术研发方提供了可大规模测试、迭代、落地技术的优质环境。Data from Counterpoint Research showed that approximately 16,000 humanoid robots were deployed globally in 2025, with China accounting for more than 80 percent of them.市场研究机构Counterpoint数据显示，2025年全球落地部署人形机器人约1.6万台，其中中国占比超八成。At the World AI Conference, Chinese robotics company PrimeBOT unveiled a new, transformable robot that is capable of switching between quadruped and humanoid forms.本届世界人工智能大会上，国产机器人企业上纬启元发布一款全新变形机器人，可在四足形态与人形形态之间自由切换。Tian Hua, CEO of leading materials maker Swancor Advanced Materials Co and head of PrimeBOT, said: "The robotics supply chain comprises more than 1,600 components. At least 1,000 companies are capable of building a robot globally, but only a handful can manufacture 10,000 robots at consistent quality and scale."知名材料企业上纬新材CEO、上纬启元负责人田华表示：“机器人产业链包含1600余种零部件。全球至少有上千家企业能造出单台机器人，但仅有少数企业可实现万台级、品质稳定的规模化量产。”"That's China's advantage — transforming personal robots from custom-built machines into mass-produced consumer products," he said. "We are also confident of making such robots really affordable for ordinary people."他称：“这正是中国的核心优势——将定制化私人机器人转化为规模化量产民用消费品。我们有信心让普通人都能负担得起这类机器人。”Such industrial depth could also help lower the cost of AI products for overseas users. While global attention has focused on Western technology companies competing for lucrative enterprise contracts in the United States and the Middle East, Chinese companies are promoting open-source products across developing countries.完善的产业纵深优势，同样能降低海外用户购买人工智能产品的成本。全球目光多聚焦西方科技企业争夺欧美、中东高利润企业订单，而中国企业正面向广大发展中国家推广开源AI产品。Alex Zhavoronkov, founder and CEO of AI-driven drug discovery company Insilico Medicine, said China's emphasis on open-source development will amplify those gains internationally.人工智能药物研发企业英矽智能创始人兼首席执行官亚历克斯·扎沃隆科夫表示，中国大力发展开源技术，将在全球范围内放大人工智能普惠效益。"China is already leading the world in the open-source model," he said.他说：“中国的开源发展模式已走在全球前列。”"The Chinese approach and its AI policies are paving the way for the entire industry, and everyone on the planet will benefit."“中国的发展路径与人工智能相关政策，为全行业开辟发展道路，全球所有人都将从中受益。”humanoid /ˈhjuːmənɔɪd/人形机器人quadruped /ˈkwɒdruped/四足机器人transformable /trænsˈfɔːməbl/可切换形态的（机器人）industrial depth产业纵深、完整产业链配套能力open-source /ˌəʊpən ˈsɔːs/开源人工智能模型scenario-based /səˈnɑːriəʊ beɪst/面向真实生活、产业场景落地的（AI应用）

The launch of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism is expected to provide a regular platform for dialogue to address bilateral economic differences, said market watchers and business leaders.市场观察人士与企业负责人表示，中欧经贸投资磋商机制的设立，有望搭建常态化对话平台，化解双边经贸分歧。While trade frictions between China and the European Union may persist in the near term, the new mechanism could help prevent disputes from escalating and keep bilateral economic relations on a more predictable track, they added.他们补充称，短期内中欧贸易摩擦或将持续，但这一新机制能够避免争端升级，让双边经贸关系发展更具可预期性。According to a joint statement issued on Tuesday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maros Sefcovic identified four initial work streams during the inaugural meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism in Brussels on Monday.周二发布的联合声明显示，周一在布鲁塞尔举行的中欧经贸投资磋商机制首次会议上，中国商务部部长王文涛与欧盟贸易、经济安全、机构间关系及透明度专员马罗什・谢夫乔维奇确定了四项首批工作议题。The work streams cover trade and investment balancing, export controls, intellectual property rights and World Trade Organization reform, the statement said.声明指出，相关议题涵盖贸易投资平衡、出口管制、知识产权以及世界贸易组织改革四大领域。Zhao Yongsheng, a professor of European studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that the mechanism comes at a time when both sides continue to face structural differences over trade and industrial policies.对外经济贸易大学欧洲问题研究教授赵永升表示，当前中欧双方在贸易、产业政策方面仍存在结构性分歧，该机制的设立恰逢其时。Huang Yiping, dean of Peking University's National School of Development, said those differences reflect broader questions about whether traditional industrial powers can adapt as China's competitiveness expands into sectors long regarded as their technological strongholds.北京大学国家发展研究院院长黄益平表示，这些分歧背后是一个更深层次的问题：随着中国竞争力不断延伸至传统工业强国长期占据技术优势的领域，后者能否适应这一变化。"Those structural differences are unlikely to disappear, but dialogue can keep competition manageable and preserve space for cooperation where interests continue to overlap," he said.他说：“这类结构性分歧难以彻底消除，但对话能够管控竞争，并在双方利益契合的领域保留合作空间。”Business leaders noted that China and the EU remain important trading partners, as robust trade flows continue to demonstrate the resilience of bilateral economic ties.企业界人士指出，中欧互为重要贸易伙伴，旺盛的贸易往来充分体现双边经贸关系具备强大韧性。According to data from the General Administration of Customs, the value of China-EU trade increased 10.3 percent year-on-year to 2.53 trillion yuan ($373 billion) in the first five months of this year, while China's imports from the EU grew 5.2 percent.海关总署数据显示，今年前五个月，中欧贸易额达 2.53 万亿元人民币（折合 3730 亿美元），同比增长 10.3%，其中中国自欧盟进口同比增长 5.2%。Speaking at a monthly news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Wang Yifei, a spokeswoman for the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said Chinese businesses hope that China and the EU will resolve trade issues through dialogue, while ensuring a fair, transparent and nondiscriminatory business environment.周二，中国贸促会新闻发言人王叶菲在北京月度例行发布会上表示，中国企业希望中欧通过对话解决贸易分歧，共同营造公平、透明、非歧视的营商环境。For businesses in the EU, maintaining communications has become more important than ever because both economies remain deeply intertwined, especially in the manufacturing, investment and technology sectors.对欧盟企业而言，保持沟通比以往任何时候都更为关键，中欧两大经济体深度交融，制造业、投资、科技领域联系尤为紧密。Speaking to China Daily during a recent interview, Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, said: "Europe cannot be (economically) independent from the United States, and it cannot be independent from China. Our economies, technologies, supply chains and security structures are far too deeply interconnected."德国联邦经济发展和对外贸易协会主席米夏埃尔・舒曼近日接受《中国日报》采访时表示：“欧洲经济既无法脱离美国，也离不开中国。双方的经济、技术、供应链与安全体系深度交织，密不可分。”Businesses can translate political consensus into practical cooperation through investment, trade and industrial partnerships, he added.他补充道，企业可通过投资、贸易、产业合作，将双方达成的政治共识转化为实实在在的合作成果。Christophe Lauras, president of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, said that France and China have a highly complementary relationship in sectors such as aerospace, advanced engineering, luxury goods, agriculture, energy transition and healthcare.法国工商会中国区主席克里斯托夫・洛拉斯表示，中法在航空航天、高端工程、奢侈品、农业、能源转型、医疗健康等领域互补性极强。"Many French companies plan to establish research and development centers in China, while Chinese companies are expanding globally by strengthening their presence in France. The next stage requires deeper integration to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation," Lauras said.洛拉斯称：“不少法国企业计划在华设立研发中心，同时中国企业也通过深耕法国市场拓展全球布局。下一阶段，双方需要深化产业融合，实现互利共赢。”The commitment is also reflected in fresh investment. German chemical manufacturer Covestro announced on Tuesday that it will build a new production line for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate at its integrated site in Shanghai, with an annual capacity of 660,000 metric tons. Operations are expected to begin around 2030. MDI is a synthetic chemical used primarily to manufacture polyurethane foams and coatings.双方的合作诚意也体现在新增投资项目上。德国化工企业科思创周二宣布，将在上海一体化生产基地新建一条二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯生产线，年产能 66 万吨，预计 2030 年前后投产。二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯是一种合成化工原料，主要用于生产聚氨酯泡沫与涂料。Holly Lei, president of Covestro China, said the move underscores the company's long-term commitment to China and leverages the country's integrated industrial ecosystem, innovation capabilities and talent base to strengthen MDI supply for customers in China and the Asia-Pacific region.科思创中国区总裁雷焕丽表示，该项目彰显企业深耕中国市场的长期决心，依托中国完备的产业生态、创新实力与人才储备，为中国及亚太客户稳定供应二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯产品。consultation /ˌkɒnslˈteɪʃn/n. 磋商；协商bilateral /ˌbaɪˈlætərəl/adj. 双边的complementary /ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri/adj. 互补的resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/n. 韧性；恢复力

How is our increasingly fragmented world impacting access to seeds? In Season 3 of State of Seed, we talk to seed company executives, government officials, leaders from multinational organizations, and farmers about how they are grappling with this geopolitically complicated moment – particularly since the war in Iran began.  In this episode, host Laura Rosbrow-Telem interviews Jeff Rowe, CEO of Syngenta Group, one of the world's largest agricultural innovation companies and the third largest seed company, and Edwini Kessie, Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division at the World Trade Organization (WTO), and biotech experts from the World Seed Congress about how biologicals can offer solutions to the fertilizer crisis.  State of Seed is a show from the International Seed Federation, with production services by FP Studios. Special thanks to Travers Pickmere from South Pacific Seeds, Jelle Vriend from Ad Terram, and Doris Gusenbauer from Ensemo for their thoughts at the beginning of the episode.

Free trade was never actually free? That's the case Katherine Tai, Joe Biden's former U.S. Trade Representative, brings Bethany McLean and Luigi Zingales this week.  For decades, the economic consensus treated free trade as an engine for cheaper goods and faster growth. But, Tai argues, this system actually relies on ignored externalities, allowing multinational corporations to reap the benefits of zero regulation while workers and the environment absorb the costs. Zingales goes further, arguing the whole system isn't free trade at all, but something he calls “captured trade”. So who exactly is that trade free for and what exactly is it free from? Tai walks through the hidden machinery most people never see, and what she calls a plan for a worker-centered trade policy. Connect with us:

neorealism, neoliberalism, classical realism, Richard Nixon and his foreign policy, the Center for the National Interest, Dmitri Simes, Russiagate, the Center for the National Interest as realistic think tank, establishment opposition to realism, John J. Mearsheimer, defensive vs offensive realism, what do the elite mean by neoliberalism?, classical liberalism vs progressive liberalism, nationalism, self-determination, nationalism vs democracy for self-determination, class consciousness and lack therefore of, why education has replaced class, world government, why neorealists don't think world government is even possible, the European Union (EU) as best and worst case for world government, AI, neorealist concept of an anarchistic world order, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the WTO as the actual heart of the global order, the myths of pacifism/isolationism in the heyday of classical liberalism, the genocidal legacy of America, free trade and the elite obsession with it, free trade as the US' greatest security crisis, neoliberalism and open borders, democracy and the weaponization of, velvet/color revolutions, the neoliberal push to replace democracy with technocracy, human rights as a foreign policy issue, the erosion of human rights in the US, the offshoring of human rights, capitalism's complicated relationship with nationalism, financial capitalism's destruction of property ownership, what Klaus was really talking about when he said "You'll own nothing and be happy"Music by: Keith Allen Dennishttps://keithallendennis.bandcamp.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how the promise that capitalism would democratize China became one of the most consequential political and economic myths of the modern era, accelerating the collapse of American manufacturing while strengthening the authoritarian system it was supposed to weaken. Drawing from the article “How the corporate myth of exporting democracy to China fueled the decline of American manufacturing,” the episode examines how Republican trade policy, corporate lobbying, and the pursuit of shareholder profit drove the transfer of industrial production from the American Midwest to China under the moral justification of liberalizing global commerce. The conversation traces the rise of China's entry into the World Trade Organization, the destruction of manufacturing centers like Milwaukee, the growth of surveillance-driven authoritarianism funded through foreign investment, and the eventual recognition that economic integration failed to produce political reform.

Darrell Castle talks about President Trump’s recent summit with Premier Xi in China and points out the similarities with President Nixon’s summit in China in 1972. Transcription / Notes NIXON WENT TO CHINA TOO Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 22nd day of May in the year of our Lord 2026. President Trump just completed a three-day historic summit with Premier Xi in China. He is not the first President to visit China since President Nixon made that trip in 1972 when China was a far different nation than today as it was in the throes of suffering through the Maoist revolution. This is the Friday before Memorial Day when we pause to remember the fallen and for most it is the start of a 3-day weekend, but for Joan and I it is a different sort of anniversary to remember. Forty-nine years ago, on this date we saw each other for the first time because we were introduced on a blind date with mutual friends. So, we met forty-nine years ago on this date and we have been together ever since but our actual anniversary, the forty-nine will be in December. This Memorial Day falls 81 years after the end of World War ll, seventy-seven years after the end of the Korean War, and fifty-one years after the end of the Vietnam War. I guess the other wars, the desert wars, are still going on. Since we are into a little nostalgia this week and to prevent burying the lead it was 54 years ago that Nixon made his historic trip to China. It was historic because China and the US, although friends in World War ll had been bitter enemies for 23 years or since the Maoist revolution. The governing principle upon which the Chinese government has been based for all those years now 77 has been that capitalism would inevitably fail, and communism would ultimately triumph around the world. The triumph would come by way of revolution as it did in China but with the aid of countries where the Communist revolution had already occurred. That principle explains why the real enemy of the Western forces fighting in Korea and Vietnam was China and Russia, not North Korea and North Vietnam. When Nixon arrived in China in 1972 the Communist Revolution had been ongoing since 1949 or 23 years but China had not fared well under Communism. It was a desperately poor, agrarian society in which the people were making little or no progress. There was very little indoor plumbing, especially in rural areas, and very little access to electricity. GDP per capita was barely at subsistence levels. Unlike today, China was technologically backward with a massive military but unable to technically compete. Trade with China was at $95.9 million and Nixon sought to build a bridge across the hostility of that world. He famously declared it “the week that changed the world.” President Clinton had a different approach to China because he apparently believed that massive technology transfers and resulting economic success would ease tensions and result in a more peaceful world. In 2000 he gave the Chinese PNTR or Permanent Normal Trade Relations and supported Chinese membership in the WTO or World Trade Organization in 2001. Before Chinese entry into the WTO the US-China trade deficit was about $83 billion but by 2015 it was $367 billion. Chinese imports into the US also surged massively with an estimated replacement of US jobs at about 2.4 to 3.4 million. Communities built in the US around the manufacture of electronics, clothing, furniture, automobiles, and other products were devastated and became just the rust belt. Nixon visited a weak, agrarian society but the new economic policies turned it into an economic and military superpower. Now President Trump has visited this country which has been hostile to the United States for 77 years. Trump's approach to negotiating is to assume he has the strength in the relationship and to use it to his advantage. Tariffs, export controls, global alliances, and military power are all used in an effort to help benefit US farmers, manufacturers, energy workers, and many others. I predict that Trump's trip to China will prove similar to Nixon's in some ways. They both sought direct personal negotiation producing tangible economic benefits to both sides with protection from dangerous strategic competition. There is a knowledge or at least an assumption that President Clinton's belief that economic success alone would moderate strategic behavior did not work and guardrails have to be installed and adhered to. Nixon engaged an impoverished third-world China for the purpose of using it to counter the Soviets. Trump engaged a powerful superpower to prevent it from obtaining or maintaining dominance in key areas. He got a public commitment from Xi to stop supplying weapons to Iran and to not aid in Iranian nuclear efforts. I have some thoughts on Xi's statement about Iranian efforts to develop nuclear weapons. In my view his statement meant nothing or it was what in the law is referred to as legal fiction. He said that Iran should not have nuclear weapons and Iran should reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Well of course for the world's economies the Strait should be reopened; a no brainer. Both sides know that nukes are not the reason for the attack on Iran and not the real reason for the continuation of the war. Thomas Massie just found out in his Republican primary what the real reason is. If the Israel lobby or the friends of Israel wants you out of congress then you are out of congress. There aren't many surviving Republicans who are not totally sold out the Israel lobby. Rand Paul is an example and Thomas Massie was another. So almost no Republicans and about the same number of Democrats although some Democrats seem to survive without total subservience. If there are grounds for optimism coming from the summit they can be found in Xi's public speech or at least that's how I see them. The English version of Xi's speech comes to me via George Friedman and his Geopolitical Futures so quoting Mr. Xi. “Honorable President Donald J. Trump, ladies and gentlemen, friends, looking back at the cause of China-U.S. relations, whether or not we could have mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the key to whether the relationship can advance steadily. The world today is changing and turbulent. China-U.S. relations concern the well-being of over 1,7 billion people of both countries and affect the interests of the over 8 billion people of the world. Both sides should rise up to this historic responsibility and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations forward steadily and in the right direction.” To me that statement says this is a multi-polar world and if we are to progress together and for the good of the world's people you must recognize that. If you are willing to do that then 77 years of hostility can end at least open hostility can end. President Trump probably had the speech examined by his China people and he probably pointed out the thousands of Chinese spies who occupy every university of note, every corporation of note and even hold political office. Yes the mayor of Alameda, California has confessed to being a Chinese agent. There are hardly any members of Congress or the Senate who haven't slept with at least one Chinese spy. Mr. Xi let me ask you this if the Chinese are so smart and so technologically proficient why do you have to steal your technology and your scientific advances from us. I'm just guessing but I imagine all those things were discussed. In short, China needs the American market to save its economy. In recent years economists have noted that Chinese domestic consumption has fallen off a cliff, but production is soaring. Thar means that China cannot absorb nearly enough of its production and needs the American market to do that. America needs China and Russia to help it find a face-saving exit from its war against Iran. You both control Iran and we will endeavor to control Netanyahu. To carry my point a little further Xi mentioned the Thucydides Trap in which the ancient Greek Geopolitical Thinker pointed out that when a rising power collides with an old power war is always the result. Xi said he hopes that can be avoided for China and the U.S. If that is the case and both sides want to avoid war then talking is at least the first step and a necessary one. To that end they have scheduled another summit for Washington in September, I think. Finally, folks, it seems to me that China has everything to lose and nothing to gain by war with the United States. George Friedman pointed out the fact that he mentioned Thucydides but did not mention Lenin, or Marx, and to me that's pretty significant and could mean a turning away from 77 years of false assumptions. Why are these two men meeting and negotiating, well, I think necessity is the mother of invention and right now they need each other. At least that's the way I see it, Until next time folks, This is Darrell Castle, Thanks for listening.

A currency becomes “internationalized” when it is widely used beyond its home economy for trade, financial transactions, and as a store of value. Achieving that status can lower transaction costs and exchange rate risks, while also enhancing the issuing country's geopolitical influence. Today, the global financial system remains overwhelmingly dollar-centric, with China's renminbi playing a comparatively modest role. Yet over the past decade, Beijing has taken steps to expand its global use, expanding offshore renminbi markets, establishing bilateral swap lines, and developing alternative payment infrastructure.  To help us unpack where China's renminbi internationalization efforts stand today, we are joined by Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Zoe's research centers on international political economy and global financial markets, with a focus on China and East Asia, as well as the Middle East. She is the author of Can BRICS De-dollarize the Global Financial System? and Sovereign Funds: How the Communist Party of China Finances Global Ambitions.   Timestamps:  [00:00] Introduction  [01:54] Strategic Motivations for Beijing  [04:55] Progress Report on RMB Internationalization  [08:16] Main Mechanisms Used to Promote the RMB  [11:08] RMB in the Belt and Road Initiative  [13:46] Using Clean Energy Supply Chains to Promote RMB in Key Commodities  [15:57] RMB as a Reserve Currency?  [21:23] Xi's Fourth Term Goals with the RMB  [27:26] How Global Conflicts Impact RMB Internationalization 

The USMCA review is fast approaching, uncertainty is building across the automotive industry, and leaders are asking a critical question: Is the agreement that binds North America together at risk?Colin Bird, the Consul General of Canada in Detroit, United States, brings clarity. This is not a collapse or a dramatic reset. It is a built-in review designed to test whether the agreement still works in a world that has fundamentally changed. The environment that shaped USMCA no longer exists. Supply chains are strained, global competition is intensifying, and China has accelerated ahead in the EV space.The real issue is not whether the agreement survives. The issue is whether North America can operate effectively under pressure. July 1 is not a breaking point. It's part of a process meant to ensure the agreement stays relevant while the industry evolves at speed.Colin makes it clear that the real danger comes when North America starts putting up barriers within its own system. The automotive supply chain has been built over decades to operate seamlessly across borders. When tariffs or policy decisions disrupt that flow, it does not just impact one country. It makes the entire region less competitive at a time when global players are moving fast.This episode is about what matters now: certainty, coordination, and competitiveness. The industry doesn't need more noise or political posturing. It needs alignment. Because if North America wants to win, it must act as one integrated system, not three separate countries.Themes Discussed in this EpisodeWhat the USMCA “review” really meansWhy July 1 is not a cliff, but a checkpointThe risk of disrupting a deeply integrated supply chainHow tariffs and policy decisions can backfire on North AmericaWhy China's EV acceleration changes everythingThe critical role of certainty and predictability for investmentWhat leaders must focus on to stay competitive globally

Happy “Tax Day”! I wonder what the American Revolutionary Founders would think of ‘Tax Day’, on this momentous 250th Anniversary of our American Independence…? Links Videos / Clips [x] = Played The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer – American Archive of Public Broadcasting [x] 48:56--49:39 JIM LEHRER: What is the proper relationship, what should be the proper relationship between a chairman of the Fed and a president of the United States? ALAN GREENSPAN: Well, first of all, the Federal Reserve is an independent agency, and that means, basically, that there is no other agency of government which can overrule actions that we take. So long as that is in place and there is no evidence that the administration or the Congress or anybody else is requesting that we do things other than what we think is the appropriate thing, then what the relationships are don’t, frankly, matter. And I’ve had very good relationships with presidents. 1. [x] Understanding Fractional Reserve Banking: How It Fuels Economic Growth Fractional reserve banking is the banking system most countries use today. It requires banks to hold only a fraction of the money their customers deposit. That amount is the reserve requirement, and in most countries, it is set by the central bank. Banks can loan the rest of their deposits to other customers, which serves to expand the economy. It works like this. Banks accept deposits from individuals and businesses providing them with savings and checking accounts in return. Banks can loan out the bulk of those deposits to other customers to buy homes or cars, start businesses, or to fund other projects. If a customer deposits $100,000 into a bank and the reserve requirement is 5%, the bank can loan $95,000 out to other customers. Once the bank has loaned out $95,000, it in essence has created $195,000. Customers borrow that $95,000 and deposit some or all of it into other banks. If the reserve requirement is still 5%, then the other banks can loan $90,250 to new customers. And the process keeps repeating itself. Financial crisis occurs when the fractional banking system breaks down and the money supply does not expand. Many US banks had to shut down during the Great Depression, because so many people attempted to withdraw their money at the same time. Today, safeguards exist to prevent such an occurrence. 1. Dollar Decline, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) & IMF as World Federal Bank – Jim Rickards – The Triffin Dilemma Headlines [x] = Mentioned / Discussed [x] Secretive Bilderberg group just met – but who knows what global elite said? | Washington DC | The Guardian [x] Prosecutors from Jeanine Pirro’s office tried to access Federal Reserve headquarters, but were turned away | CBS News [x] Grand jury declines criminal charges against 6 Democrats who urged military to reject illegal orders | CBS News [x] Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit | 404 Media WebinarTV Secretly Scraped Zoom Meetings of Anonymous Recovery Programs | 404 Media Farmer Arrested for Speaking Too Long at Datacenter Town Hall Vows to Fight | 404 Media The Rest [x] = Mentioned / Discussed Previous RWR Episodes [x] Road Warrior Radio with Chris Hinkley, April 14, 2026 | Hour 1 | Hour 2 Administrative Fourth Branch [x] The Birth of the Administrative State: Where It Came From and What It Means for Limited Government | The Heritage Foundation [x] The Rise and Rise of the Administrative State on JSTOR [x] America Is A Don't Ask Don't Tell Nation – Road Warrior Radio The Paper Ponzi Scheme [x] Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 27 May 1788 The bankruptcies in London have recommenced with new force. There is no saying where this fire will end. Perhaps in the general conflagration of all their paper. …nothing is necessary but a general panic, produced either by failures, invasion or any other cause, and the whole visionary fabric vanishes into air and shews that paper is poverty, that it is only the ghost of money, and not money itself. [x] Money, whence it came, where it went : Galbraith, John Kenneth, 1908-2006 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive The process by which banks create money is so simple that the mind is repelled. Where something so important is involved, a deeper mystery seems only decent. [x] Economists John Kenneth Galbraith and Alan Greenspan appeared before… News Photo – Getty Images [x] Crash Could Not Happen Again, Heller, Galbraith and Greenspan Tell Congress – The New York Times [x] FRB Speech, Bernanke – On Milton Friedman’s ninetieth birthday – November 8, 2002 Let me end my talk by abusing slightly my status as an official representative of the Federal Reserve. I would like to say to Milton and Anna: Regarding the Great Depression. You’re right, we did it. We’re very sorry. But thanks to you, we won’t do it again. [x] Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval (1816) – Teaching American History We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debts, as that we must be taxed in our meat and in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our callings and our creeds, as the people of England are, our people, like them, must come to labor sixteen hours in the twenty-four, give the earnings of fifteen of these to the government for their debts and daily expenses; and the sixteenth being insufficient to afford us bread, we must live, as they now do, on oatmeal and potatoes; have no time to think, no means of calling the mismanagers to account; but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow-sufferers. Our landholders, too, like theirs, retaining indeed the title and stewardship of estates called theirs, but held really in trust for the treasury, must wander, like theirs, in foreign countries, and be contented with penury, obscurity, exile, and the glory of the nation. This example reads to us the salutary lesson, that private fortunes are destroyed by public as well as by private extravagance. And this is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of the society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery, and to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering. Then begins, indeed, the bellum omnium in omnia, which some philosophers observing to be so general in this world, have mistaken it for the natural, instead of the abusive state of man. And the fore horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression. [x] Andrew Jackson, Farewell Address (Mar 4, 1837) | The American Presidency Project The severe lessons of experience will, I doubt not, be sufficient to prevent Congress from again chartering such a monopoly, even if the Constitution did not present an insuperable objection to it. But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government. The power which the moneyed interest can exercise, when concentrated under a single head and with our present system of currency, was sufficiently demonstrated in the struggle made by the Bank of the United States. [x] Federal Reserve Act – Wikisource, the free online library Sec. 30.. The right to amend, alter, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. [x] hypothecate – definition and meaning [x] Websters 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Hypothecate HYPOTH’ECATE, verb transitive [Latin hypotheca, a pledge; Gr. to put under, to suppose.] 1. To pledge, and properly to pledge the keel of a ship, that is, the ship itself, as security for the repayment of money borrowed to carry on a voyage. In this case the lender hazards the loss of his money by the loss of the ship, but if the ship returns safe, he received his principal, with the premium or interest agreed on, though it may exceed the legal rate of interest. 2. To pledge, as goods. [x] 321gold: Gold and Economic Freedom by Alan Greenspan 1966 In the absence of the gold standard, there is no way to protect savings from confiscation through inflation. There is no safe store of value. If there were, the government would have to make its holding illegal, as was done in the case of gold. If everyone decided, for example, to convert all his bank deposits to silver or copper or any other good, and thereafter declined to accept checks as payment for goods, bank deposits would lose their purchasing power and government-created bank credit would be worthless as a claim on goods. The financial policy of the welfare state requires that there be no way for the owners of wealth to protect themselves. This is the shabby secret of the welfare statists’ tirades against gold. Deficit spending is simply a scheme for the confiscation of wealth. Gold stands in the way of this insidious process. It stands as a protector of property rights. If one grasps this, one has no difficulty in understanding the statists’ antagonism toward the gold standard. Triffin dilemma – Wikipedia The Shot Heard Round The World [x] Battles of Lexington and Concord – Wikipedia On This Day Events April 2026 Calendar of Public Holidays | Office Holidays Holidays and Observances in the United States in 2026 What day is it today? Important events every day ad-free | United States OTD Worldwide Public Holidays Wednesday April 15th 2026 | Office Holidays On This Day – What Happened on April 15 Today in History: April 15, the Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic | AP News What Happened on April 15 – On This Day What Happened on April 15 | HISTORY April 15 – Wikipedia What Happened On April 15 In History? 15 | April | 2020 | Executed Today Holidays Tax Day (US) Father Damien Day (Hawaii) Jackie Robinson Day (US) Titanic Remembrance Day (US) American Sign Language (ASL) Day (US) Historical Events 2013 – Boston Marathon Bombing: Two bombs made from pressure cookers exploded at the Boston Marathon finish line, killing two women and an 8-year-old boy and injuring more than 260. But: Who is Graham Fuller, and who is Uncle Ruslan…?123456789 1998 – Pol Pot, the architect of Cambodia's killing fields, dies of apparently natural causes while serving a life sentence imposed against him by his own Khmer Rouge. 1994 – The World Trade Organization is founded: The WTO coordinates and strives to liberalize international trade. It has been criticized for ignoring and escalating the negative social and environmental side-effects of globalization. 1990 – Sketch comedy TV series In Living Color premieres on FOX TV 1989 – A small group of students initiates pro-democracy protest on Tiananmen Square in Beijing: The death of reformer Hu Yaobang triggered the demonstrations, which grew in size and were brutally dispersed in the Tiananmen Square Massacre on June 4. 1986 – The United States launches retaliatory air strikes against Libya: Around 40 Libyans died in Operation El Dorado Canyon, including an infant girl. The attack was the United States’ response to the bombing of a Berlin discotheque on April 5, in which 3 people had died. 1974 – Members of the Symbionese Liberation Army held up a branch of the Hibernia Bank in San Francisco; a member of the group was SLA kidnap victim Patricia Hearst. (Hearst later said she had been forced to participate in the robbery.) 1960 – Guy Carawan sings We Shall Overcome to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in Raleigh, popularizing the song as a protest anthem 1955 – Ray Kroc opened the first franchised McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. 1945 – The German concentration camp Bergen-Belsen is liberated: British and Canadian troops found about 53,000 prisoners inside the camp. Tens of thousands died before and after the liberation. 1935 – The Eastman Kodak Company launches Kodachrome: The photographic film was one of the most popular media used by professional and hobby photographers around the world. The product was discontinued in 2009 because of the advent of digital photography. 1924 – Rand McNally publishes its first road atlas. 1912 – British luxury liner RMS Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland just over two and a half hours after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage. Over 1,500 people died; 710 survived. 1900 – Philippine–American War: Filipino guerrillas launch a surprise attack on U.S. 1892 – The General Electric Company is formed. 1877 – World’s first home telephone is installed in Somerville, Massachusetts at the house of Charles Williams Jr. 1874 – First Impressionist art exhibition opens in Paris, features Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot 1865 – Abraham Lincoln died after being shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater the previous evening; Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the 17th president hours later. 1861 – Federal army of 75,000 volunteers is mobilized by President Abraham Lincoln at the start of the American Civil War 1802 – William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy see a “long belt” of daffodils, inspiring the former to pen I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud. 1783 – Preliminary articles of peace ending the American Revolutionary War (or American War of Independence) are ratified. 1755 – Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language is published in London 1729 – Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion premieres at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany) Births 1978 – Chris Stapleton, American country singer-songwriter and guitarist (48) 1922 – Harold Washington, American lawyer and politician, 51st Mayor of Chicago (died 1987) 1894 – Nikita Khrushchev, Soviet politician, 7th Premier of the Soviet Union (died 1971) 1858 – Émile Durkheim, French sociologist, psychologist, and philosopher [read Lark’s Collected Musings] (died 1917) 1843 – Henry James, American/English author (died 1916) 1841 – Joseph E. Seagram, Canadian businessman and politician, founded the Seagram Company Ltd (died 1919) 1832 – Wilhelm Busch, German poet, painter, illustrator (died 1908) 1452 – Leonardo da Vinci, Italian painter, sculptor, architect (died 1519) Deaths 2025 – Wink Martindale, American DJ, radio personality, and TV personality (born 1933) 2024 – Whitey Herzog, American professional baseball outfielder and manager (born 1931) 2018 – R. Lee Ermey, USMC drill instructor, American actor (born 1944) 1998 – Pol Pot, Cambodian general and politician, 29th Prime Minister of Cambodia (born 1925) 1990 – Greta Garbo, Swedish actress (born 1905) 1980 – Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher, writer, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1905) 1912 – Victims of the Titanic disaster: Archibald Butt, American general and journalist (born 1865) Benjamin Guggenheim, American businessman (born 1865) Charles Melville Hays, American businessman (born 1856) Edward Smith, English Captain (born 1850) Henry B. Harris, American producer and manager (born 1866) Henry Tingle Wilde, English chief officer (born 1872) Ida Straus, German-American businesswoman (born 1849) Isidor Straus, German-American businessman and politician (born 1845) Jack Phillips, English telegraphist (born 1887) Jacques Futrelle, American journalist and author (born 1875) James Paul Moody, English Sixth Officer (born 1887) John B. Thayer, American business and sportsman (born 1862) John Jacob Astor IV, American colonel, businessman, and author (born 1864) Thomas Andrews, Irish shipbuilder (born 1873) Wallace Hartley, English violinist and bandleader (born 1878) William McMaster Murdoch, Scottish First Officer (born 1873) William Thomas Stead, English journalist (born 1849) 1889 – Father Damien, Flemish missionary, priest, and saint (born 1840) 1865 – Abraham Lincoln, American lawyer, politician, 16th President of the United States (born 1809) Footnotes Jimenez, Guillermo. “The Tsarnaevs and the CIA: Who Is Graham Fuller?” Traces of Reality by Guillermo Jimenez, 2026, web.archive.org/web/20130503080950/tracesofreality.com/2013/04/29/the-tsarnaevs-and-the-cia-who-is-graham-fuller/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. It has been confirmed that the Tsarnaev family, at least to some degree, have been connected to the Central Intelligence Agency for almost 20 years. In 1995, Ruslan Tsarni (formerly known as Ruslan Tsarnaev, affectionately known as “Uncle Ruslan,” the American corporate media darling who bemoaned the alleged actions of his nephews Dzhokar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev ) married the daughter of the former Deputy Director of the CIA's National Council on Intelligence, Graham Fuller. While the marriage of Samantha Ankara Fuller and Ruslan Tsarnaev was short-lived, reportedly ending in divorce in 1999, it appears that Ruslan and Graham Fuller were more than just father-in-law and son.  They may also been business partners. These key details in the history of the Tsarnaev family and the CIA were first reported by Daniel Hopsicker of Mad Cow Morning News, and the marriage of Fuller's daughter and Ruslan has indeed been confirmed by Al-Monitor reporter, Laura Rozen. ↩ Hopsicker, Daniel. “Boston Bombers' Uncle Married Daughter of Top CIA Official.” MadCow Morning News, 26 Apr. 2013, www.madcowprod.com/2013/04/26/boston-bombers-uncle-married-daughter-of-top-cia-official/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩ Hopsicker, Daniel. ““Uncle Ruslan” Aided Terrorists from CIA Official's Home.” MadCow Morning News, 29 Apr. 2013, www.madcowprod.com/2013/04/29/uncle-ruslan-aid-to-terrorists-from-cia-officials-home/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩ Corbett, James. “Who Is Graham Fuller?” The Corbett Report, 2026, corbettreport.com/who-is-graham-fuller/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩ “Graham Fuller – Wikispooks.” Wikispooks.com, 2026, wikispooks.com/wiki/Graham_Fuller. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Graham E. Fuller.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Mar. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_E._Fuller. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Islamism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Feb. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamism. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Tablighi Jamaat.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Apr. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablighi_Jamaat. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩ Engdahl, F. William. “Graham E. Fuller Where Were You on the Night of July 15?” Archive.org, 9 Aug. 2016, www.williamengdahl.com/englishNEO9Aug2016.php. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩

Is open source the true future of Artificial Intelligence? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with Eugene Cheah, CEO and Co-Founder of Featherless AI. They dive deep into the architecture of the RWKV model, the intense global competition between open source and closed source AI, and how China is aggressively pushing an open source strategy to bypass chip constraints. Recorded with a focus on the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem, this episode breaks down the immediate impact of AI on the global south, specifically highlighting the vulnerability of the BPO and call center industries in the Philippines. Eugene also shares his extraordinary journey from building UIlicious to securing a $1M investment in San Francisco with no pitch deck, and his ongoing work with the Linux Foundation and the World Trade Organization to bridge the global AI language divide. Discover tactical insights into startup bootstrapping, macroeconomics, and the entrepreneurial mindset required to navigate the hyper-competitive deep tech space. Tune in to learn how to future-proof your business and stay ahead of the AI curve in Southeast Asia. 00:00 - Introduction & Featherless AI 02:59 - From UIlicious to AI Research 05:45 - RWKV & the Transformer Alternative 07:13 - Spinning Out Featherless as a New Company 09:10 - Fundraising in San Francisco 16:15 - Open Source vs. Closed Source AI 21:52 - China's Open Source AI Strategy 23:57 - Advantages & Disadvantages of Open Source 28:06 - Inference as a Service & Model Variety 32:13 - The Future of AI: Reliability & Specialization 36:35 - Personal Growth & Navigating AI Politics 39:01 - Policy Advice for Southeast Asia & Global AI Impact 43:39 - Multilingual AI & Closing the Global Divide 48:44 - Being Brave: Founding Story & Closing Reflections Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/eugene-cheah-featherless-ai-open-source-ai Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Singapore #China #Philippines #AI #ArtificalIntelligence #MachineLearning #Technology #TechNews #VentureCapital #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

A cornerstone of modern globalization, the World Trade Organization (WTO), is collapsing. Following the Cold War, the post-WWII system needed a legal system to enforce trade rules, so the WTO was born. Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihan Full Newsletter: https://bit.ly/4vaKeoS

Host: Cindy Allen Show: Simply Trade – Cindy's Version Published: April 9, 2026 Length: ~16 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center The Story of Us: Tariff Changes, CAPE Confusion, and the Trade Community Waiting for Answers Cindy Allen returns with a wide-ranging trade update set to Taylor Swift's “The Story of Us,” using the song's theme of miscommunication to frame the current disconnect between CBP, the courts, and the trade community. From a new DHS funding update and fresh uncertainty around tariffs and valuation to the evolving CAPE refund process and the latest questions around customs business, this episode captures a moment where the trade world is working hard to keep up with fast-moving policy changes. What You'll Learn in This Episode DHS and trade funding DHS remains largely unfunded, although TSA funding has now passed and some CBP officers remain funded under prior legislation. Many trade-related staff are still working without pay, and the shutdown pressure has now stretched beyond a month. Last sale and valuation debate Congress is still considering the last sale bill, which could eliminate last sale as a valuation method. Cindy explains that last sale has long been treated as part of the broader transaction value framework and is supported by court history, but Congress can still change the law if it chooses. White House tariff threats The White House floated 50% duties on countries that sell weapons to Iran, though Cindy questions what legal authority could support that now that IEEPA has been ruled unlawful. For China, the government could potentially revise Section 301 tariffs, but for other countries, the implementation path is unclear. Forced labor enforcement The Labor Department announced a new tool for assessing foreign forced labor practices, but details were sparse. Cindy notes that CBP already has a strong forced labor framework and suggests the Labor Department may be stepping into a larger detection/enforcement role. WTO criticism from USTR U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer published an op-ed criticizing the World Trade Organization, signaling frustration with its current effectiveness and casting doubt on the U.S. role going forward. Cindy highlights this as another sign that global trade institutions may be under pressure to prove relevance. 232 updates now in effect The recent steel and aluminum 232 changes took effect on April 6. Cindy notes that the system seems to be running smoothly, with de minimis treatment for some shipments under 15%, reduced or removed tariff coverage for certain HDS annex items, and new component-level classifications that reduce ambiguity even if the tariff burden remains high. CBP also released guidance on April 3, which importers subject to 232 should review carefully. USMCA remains strained USMCA negotiations continue, but Cindy says they are tense and may not conclude by the July 1 deadline. Despite frustration and mixed positions among the three governments, she notes the agreement still matters for North American production and U.S. manufacturing support. Customs business ruling and trade tech A recent customs business ruling has created concern among AI and trade tech companies, especially around whether certain activities now require a licensed customs broker. Cindy explains that the issue muddies the water for brokers, tech providers, and importers alike and will likely require clarification from CBP. ACE portal account requirement CBP has rolled out a new ACE portal account application process. Importers seeking refunds now need an ACE Portal account, and Cindy recommends checking CBP's site or speaking with a broker to understand the new application process. Strait of Hormuz and market impact The war with Iran is paused for two weeks, but a reported $2 million vessel toll for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is raising alarms. Cindy also points to Bloomberg reporting that some Asian factories are seeing 55% price increases on plastics, showing how oil transit issues ripple into fertilizers, plastics, diesel, and broader market volatility. CAPE and “The Story of Us” Cindy says she chose “The Story of Us” because the song reflects the miscommunication and silence she sees between CBP, the courts, and the trade community. The CAPE process is still being built, and while CBP has filed detailed updates with the court, the real uncertainty is how the court will interpret those filings and what rules will ultimately apply to importers. The biggest unresolved questions remain whether finally liquidated entries will be included, whether protests or court actions will be required, and how refund filings will ultimately work. Cindy notes that the lead case changed from Artemis to a new test case after Artemis withdrew, meaning the court started over with new orders and the process remains in motion. Subscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday. Presented by Global Training Center • Global Training Center on LinkedIn • YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Trade Geeks Community

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Is the World Trade Organization beyond repair? U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer calls out dysfunction, endless bureaucracy, and ineffective global agreements. From stalled negotiations to bloated trade rules, this segment explores why multinational institutions struggle to deliver—and asks the big question: should the U.S. ditch the WTO and pursue direct, fair trade deals instead?

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer joins Annmarie Hordern on Bloomberg TV to discuss the idea that the US is insulated from supply chain effects from the Strait of Hormuz, as well as to discuss the Trump administration’s perceived shortfall of the World Trade Organization and the possibility of a returning to a 20% tariff level with China. Greer says, “I see stability with China over the next year” as the nations prepare for talks in May.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China has voiced support for the adoption of a major World Trade Organization agreement on electronic commerce. The E-Commerce Agreement is considered a significant milestone for the WTO.

Iran's top military leadership dismissed Donald Trump's claims that the Islamic republic was ready to make a deal, the US president appears to make abrupt policy pivots based on swings in oil prices, and the EU's trade commissioner says time is running out to stop the World Trade Organization from fading into irrelevance. Plus, how worried should investors be about the caps on redemptions at private credit funds?Mentioned in this podcast:Iran's military leaders dismiss Donald Trump's deal claimsIran war tests Donald Trump's tolerance for ‘pain' in oil marketMeta and Google liable for social media harm to children's mental health in landmark US caseWTO risks sliding into irrelevance, EU trade commissioner warnsPrivate credit's game of footsie is getting riskierAres limits withdrawals from $10.7bn private credit fundNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today's FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Henry Larson, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's Global Head of Audio. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

① A conversation with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, a senior UN official, on Boao Forum for Asia and regional economic integration. (00:56) ② China has issued a set of guidelines to accelerate the establishment of a nationwide long-term care insurance system. How will this move help alleviate the country's aging challenges? (12:43) ③ Why have Chinese-developed AI models led global weekly token usage for a second straight week and overtaken their US counterparts? (25:00) ④ We talk to a senior manager of a leading Chinese enterprise software builder about the future of intelligent systems. (35:31) ⑤ Trade ministers are in Cameroon for discussions on reforming the World Trade Organization. How does the prospect of the talks look like? (45:04)

Iran attacked critical liquefied natural gas and oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, including a major source of gas for Europe. It was retaliating in response to Israeli strikes on a gas field that supplies a lot of Iran's domestic energy. This morning, we delve into what it means for the price of oil, precious metals, government bonds, and more. Plus, we learn how China's entry into the World Trade Organization impacted local U.S. banks.

Iran attacked critical liquefied natural gas and oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, including a major source of gas for Europe. It was retaliating in response to Israeli strikes on a gas field that supplies a lot of Iran's domestic energy. This morning, we delve into what it means for the price of oil, precious metals, government bonds, and more. Plus, we learn how China's entry into the World Trade Organization impacted local U.S. banks.

Natural gas prices soared as attacks intensified on energy infrastructure in the Middle East. The Ras Laffan plant in Qatar has sustained "significant damage", according to its operators, which could take years to fully repair. That will have a significant impact on global supplies, because the facility produces around a fifth of the world's LNG (liquefied natural gas). Also in the show: the World Trade Organization warns a trade slowdown could lead to mounting food insecurity.  

On this week's Series on Multilateral Organizations, Clement Manyathela speaks with Sustainability Practitioner at Ubuntunomics, Sibusiso Nyathi, to understand how the World Trade Organization works, and their association with South Africa and the rest of the continent. The Clement Manyathela Show is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station, weekdays from 09:00 to 12:00 (SA Time). Clement Manyathela starts his show each weekday on 702 at 9 am taking your calls and voice notes on his Open Line. In the second hour of his show, he unpacks, explains, and makes sense of the news of the day. Clement has several features in his third hour from 11 am that provide you with information to help and guide you through your daily life. As your morning friend, he tackles the serious as well as the light-hearted, on your behalf. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Clement Manyathela Show. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 09:00 and 12:00 (SA Time) to The Clement Manyathela Show broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/XijPLtJ or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/p0gWuPE Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Section 301 of the U-S Trade Act of 1974 is a broad tool which authorizes the sitting U.S. President to negotiate trade agreements, reduce tariffs, and combat unfair foreign trade practices. In mid-March, the U.S. Trade Representative's office put Taiwan on two 301-related lists: one for failing to take action over structural excess capacity, and the other, for failing to take action over accusations of false labor. International Trade attorney James Ransdell explains the regulation, and how it is being used against traditional U-S allies today. Hosted by I.C.R.T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

In recognition of International Women's Month, we speak to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization. We discuss women representation in leadership, the impact of the latest Middle East conflict on African economies and the shifting balance of global trade and Africa's place in it.And, we also look at LGBTQ rights on the continent. In much of Africa, homosexuality remains criminalised in 33 out of 55 countries, according to the Institute for Security Studies. While South Africa recognises same-sex marriage, most African countries do not. In Botswana, two women are now challenging the government in court for the right to marry, despite same-sex relationships being decriminalised.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Chiamaka Dike Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala, Director‑General of the World Trade Organization and recipient of the ACFE's Cressey Award for lifetime achievement, speaks with ACFE Chief Training Officer Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, in a conversation recorded at the 36th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference. Dr. Okonjo‑Iweala reflects on the critical role transparency, strong institutions and accountability play in preventing fraud and corruption, and where technology can reduce risk alongside the key component of human judgment. She also shares insights on Africa's future in the global fight against corruption, lessons in building consensus under pressure and advice for women leaders grounded in values, courage and purpose.

Ocean fish populations are under pressure, and public money is still part of the problem. The World Trade Organization adopted a Fisheries Subsidies Agreement to curb harmful funding tied to illegal fishing, but major loopholes remain. Billions of dollars in government support continue to prop up industrial fleets that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. Research published in Nature estimates that governments provide approximately 35 billion USD annually in fisheries subsidies, with the majority considered harmful or capacity enhancing. While the WTO agreement marks progress, it does not yet eliminate subsidies that expand fleets or intensify fishing pressure on already stressed stocks. The OECD continues to track uneven reform efforts across countries, showing that global fisheries governance remains inconsistent. Can fish populations truly rebuild while governments continue to finance fleet expansion? This episode breaks down the science, the economics, and the political reality shaping the future of global fisheries. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Help fund a new seagrass podcast: https://www.speakupforblue.com/seagrass Join the Undertow: https://www.speakupforblue.com/jointheundertow Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube    

In this episode, Peter Swartz, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Altana, reveals how the company's AI-powered supply chain knowledge graph has helped stop hundreds of millions of dollars in forced labor goods from crossing borders and contributed to some of the largest counter-narcotics seizures in investigators' careers. Peter shares the real-world impact Altana is making across both the public and private sectors.Peter breaks down how Altana's multi-tier supply chain visibility works to trace forced labor cotton through global networks, how dual-use chemicals are being diverted into fentanyl production, and how the platform helps governments and enterprises collaborate to avoid billions of dollars in trade disruptions while saving hundreds of millions in tariff fees.Key Topics Covered- How Altana blocked hundreds of millions of dollars in forced labor goods at U.S. borders- The role of AI knowledge graphs in mapping multi-tier global supply chains- How Altana supports CBP enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act- Product passports and how they expedite legitimate goods through customs- The difference between forced labor entering legit supply chains vs. legit goods entering illicit ones- How logistics companies use Altana to prevent their networks from being misused- Proactive vs. reactive approaches to supply chain risk using probabilistic AI models- Scenario modeling for geopolitical disruptions including Taiwan and global conflicts- Saving billions in supply chain disruptions and hundreds of millions in tariff feesEpisode Timestamps00:00 - Introduction and overview of Altana's real-world impact00:41 - Understanding forced labor as a multi-tier supply chain problem03:09 - Hundreds of millions in forced labor goods stopped at borders03:45 - How the AI knowledge graph maps global supply chain connections04:15 - Working with CBP on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act04:35 - Product passports and expediting goods through customs04:51 - Counter-narcotics and the dual-use chemical problem05:45 - Helping logistics companies stop network misuse06:27 - From alert to action and the system handoff process06:49 - Responsible AI and the role of human-in-the-loop decisions07:33 - Proactive vs. reactive supply chain intelligence08:08 - Scenario modeling for geopolitical disruptions and resiliencyAbout Peter SwartzPeter Swartz is Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Altana. He has spoken on global trade, supply chains, and machine learning at the World Trade Organization, the World Customs Organization, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the National Academies of Medicine. Previously, Peter was Head of Data Science at Panjiva, listed as one of Fast Company's most innovative data science companies in 2018 and later acquired by S&P Global. He holds patents in machine learning and global trade, and completed his education at Yale, MIT, and EPFL.About AltanaAltana is the world's first Value Chain Management System, providing AI-powered supply chain intelligence to governments, enterprises, and logistics providers. The platform is built on a proprietary knowledge graph comprising more than 2.8 billion shipments, tracking over 500 million companies and 850 million facilities globally. Altana covers more than 50% of global trade, making it the most comprehensive and accurate supply chain map available.Resources Mentioned- Altana Atlas platform and AI knowledge graph- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)- Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)- Product passports for cross-border compliance- Altana's disruption and tariff scenario modeling toolsPeter's Socials:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgswartz/Partner LinksBook Enterprise Training — https://www.upscaile.com/

U.S. tariffs have upended decades of trade policy, but new U.N. data shows that the economies suffering most are those that can least afford a setback. At the Munich Security Conference (MSC), FP's Ravi Agrawal hosted a panel on the trade wars, with policymakers on the front lines of these economic changes: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization; Finnish President Alexander Stubb; German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil; and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.  Follow FP's MSC coverage here. Wendy Cutler: How Countries Should Respond to Trump's Tariffs Keith Johnson: Tariffs Have Hurt, Not Helped, the U.S. Economy Rishi Iyengar: EU Don't Need U.S.? Ramon Pacheco Pardo and Robyn Klingler-Vidra: Middle Powers Don't Have to Work Together to Get Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott react to President Trump's threat to impose 100 percent tariffs on Canada. They also discuss their takeaways from the aftermath of the World Economic Forum in Davos and several proposals to reform the World Trade Organization.

WTO/99 is a new, immersive archival documentary that depicts the four-day clash between the then-emerging World Trade Organization (WTO) and the 40,000+ people who took to the streets of Seattle in 1999 to protest the WTO Conference and the WTO's impact on human rights, labor, and the future effects of continued globalization.Aaron sat down with WTO/99 director/co-editor Ian Bell and producer/co-editor Alex Megaro to discuss the film's bracing depiction of the WTO protests, their prevailing ramifications in the 2020s, and whether the event's radicalizing groundswell is replicable in today's polarized political reality.WTO/99 has its Bay Area debut at The Roxie next Wednesday 1/28/26. Find tickets HERE. WTO/99 returns to the Bay Area Tuesday 2/24/28 at The New Parkway. Find tickets HERE. Find more upcoming screenings of WTO/99.Watch the trailer for WTO/99.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

China has been on a generational run since it was granted admission to the World Trade Organization at the beginning of the century. Though its infrastructure investments ran in the trillions of dollars, the Chinese GDP increased 10% every year for 15 years, all while producing 1,600 high-rises, 45,000 kilometers of high-speed rail, and hundreds of airports.The contrast with America is stark. Roads, ports, rail, and airports inside the United States are all falling apart, with the bloated, $128 billion, high-speed train to nowhere stalling out in California. Meanwhile, China has evolved into maglev trains and thorium-powered cargo ships for the new Belt and Road Initiative.—Watch the video version on one of the Macroaggressions Channels:Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/Macroaggressions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MacroaggressionsPodcast—MACRO & Charlie Robinson LinksHypocrazy Audiobook: https://amzn.to/4aogwmsThe Octopus of Global Control Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3xu0rMmWebsite: www.Macroaggressions.io Merch Store: https://macroaggressions.dashery.com/ Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/macroaggressionspodcast—Activist Post FamilySign up for the Activist Post Newsletter: https://activistpost.kit.com/emailsActivist Post: www.ActivistPost.com Natural Blaze: www.NaturalBlaze.com —Support Our SponsorsAnarchapulco: https://anarchapulco.com/ | Promo Code: MACROC60 Power: https://go.shopc60.com/PBGRT/KMKS9/ | Promo Code: MACROChemical Free Body: https://chemicalfreebody.com/macro/ | Promo Code: MACROWise Wolf Gold & Silver: https://macroaggressions.gold/ | (800) 426-1836LegalShield: www.DontGetPushedAround.com EMP Shield: www.EMPShield.com | Promo Code: MACROGround Luxe Grounding Mats: https://groundluxe.com/MACRO Christian Yordanov's Health Program: www.LiveLongerFormula.com/macro Above Phone: https://abovephone.com/macro/Van Man: https://vanman.shop/?ref=MACRO | Promo Code: MACROThe Dollar Vigilante: https://dollarvigilante.spiffy.co/a/O3wCWenlXN/4471 Nesa's Hemp: www.NesasHemp.com | Promo Code: MACROAugason Farms: https://augasonfarms.com/MACRO —

Sweet Excess: Crafting Mishti in Bengal (Routledge, 2025) by Ishita Dey is an ethnographic work on excess. Based on a decade-long fieldwork of a single food substance – sweets – it follows sweet-making in sweetshops, domestic spaces, fairs, festivals and its representation in recipe books to understand how caste, religion, science and law inform the life of a food item with an extremely short shelf life. It shows how food items of conspicuous consumption find a meaning in everyday lives of people through its socio-cultural meanings – ritual, pride of craftsmanship, heritage and cultural identity. It also shows how sweets continue to be a ubiquitous part of ‘Bengali' diet in a geography that has been witness to acute hunger, starvation, food movements and social welfare programmes to ensure food security. As a multi-sited ethnography on sweetness in diverse settings and its associated meanings in West Bengal and Bangladesh, this book explores everyday workplace hierarchies between artisans that reveal how caste and religion inform the choice of who is hired into this line of work. It also highlights how discourses on food safety and the overpowering presence of World Trade Organization have affected the life of the Bengali mishti. The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of ethnography, sociology, history and South Asian studies. And if you, dear reader, love mishti, you will love this, too!Satyaki Barua is a PhD student in Political Science at the University of Hyderabad. His research focuses on party organisation, party institutionalisation, and political mobilisation, particularly examining the interactions between the state, society, and political parties in India and South Asia. Outside of academia, Satyaki enjoys watching and discussing movies, as well as practising Hindustani classical music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The modern anarchist movement began in 1999, when the World Trade Organization met in Seattle in order to create a set of rules which would require every country to accept the worst excesses of capitalism.Waiting for them in Seattle was a loose coalition of anarchists, farmers, organized labor, punks, Zapatistas, and giant puppets. Team Puppet won.D.W. Gibson's new book One Week to Change the World is an oral history of the Battle of Seattle. Gibson interviewed everyone from the black bloc to the riot police. The book is a history but also a guide for future protests. I highly recommend it!

Filmmaker Alex Megaro joins us to talk about his film WTO/99, an immersive archival documentary that depicts the four-day clash between the then-emerging World Trade Organization (WTO) and the 40,000+ people who took to the streets of Seattle in 1999 to protest the WTO Conference and the WTO's impact on human rights, labor, and the future effects of continued globalization. Also it's Christmas. WTO/99 https://www.wto99doc.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpV0V3aniDY WHITE ELEPHANT SHOW IN MINNEAPOLIS https://www.bryantlakebowl.com/theater/white-elephant MERCH poddamnamerica.bigcartel.com PATREON + DISCORD patreon.com/poddamnamerica

SHOW 12-17-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT THE US CONFLICT WITH VENEZUELA... 1926 USS OMAHA IN THE PANAMA CANAL. Colonel Jeff McCausland discusses the US "blockade" of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and the potential for escalation into a regional conflict involving Colombia. He also analyzes the Pentagon's refusal to release videos of destroyed drug boats, suggesting possible war crime concerns, and notes stalled Ukraine negotiations. Colonel McCausland reports on NATO's eastern flank "digging in," with Baltic states building defensive bunkers and Germany significantly increasing military spending. He highlights a divergence where European allies prepare for existential Russian threats while US leadership may prioritize "strategic stability" and economic cooperation with Moscow. General Blaine Holt warns that integrating Artificial Intelligence into military command increases the risks of deliberate, inadvertent, and accidental escalation. He argues that while AI accelerates decision-making, it lacks human judgment, potentially leading to catastrophic miscalculations if adversaries rely on algorithms during crises. General Holt explains that AI models in war games demonstrate a bias toward violent escalation, often prioritizing "winning" over negotiation, which leads to nuclear conflict. He emphasizes the necessity of keeping humans in the loop and maintaining direct communications between rival nations to prevent automated catastrophe. Simon Constable reports from France on high copper prices and slowing European energy demand. He describes protests by French farmers burning hay to oppose government orders to cull cattle exposed to disease and notes a significant rise in electric vehicle sales across the European Union. Simon Constable discusses the political troubles of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the suspension of a US-UK tech deal due to clashes over AI regulation. He explains that Britain's "Online Safety Act" aims to tax and regulate tech giants, which threatens to stifle American AI companies operating there. Bob Zimmerman highlights a record-breaking year with over 300 global rocket launches, driven largely by private enterprise competition. He notes that Amazon was forced to contract SpaceX for satellite launches due to delays from rivals like Blue Origin and reports on safety concerns involving Russian launch pad negligence. Bob Zimmerman reports on the success of commercial space station company Vast and orbital tug tests that outperformed government efforts. Conversely, he details problems with NASA's Maven orbiter at Mars, which has lost communication, potentially jeopardizing data relays for surface rovers. David Shedd critiques the bipartisan failure of allowing China into the World Trade Organization in 2001, which was based on the false assumption that economic engagement would lead to democratization. Instead, this decision facilitated a massive transfer of intellectual property, fueling China's rise as a predatory economic rival. David Shedd explains how China's Ministry of State Security operates as a massive intelligence entity combining the functions of the CIA, FBI, and NSA. He traces this economic espionage to Deng Xiaoping's 1984 strategy, noting that Chinese officers view theft as repayment for past Western oppression. David Shedd details espionage cases, including an Apple engineer stealing "Project Titan" car schematics for a Chinese competitor. He also describes a Google employee who stole AI data while secretly working for a Chinese firm, highlighting how corporate greed and weak internal security enable intellectual property theft. David Shedd outlines strategies to counter Chinese espionage, advocating for "partial decoupling" to protect critical technologies like semiconductors and AI. He argues for modernizing legal deterrence to prosecute theft effectively and warns that Chinese platforms like DeepSeek harvest user data to advance their "Great Heist" of American wealth. Nury Turkel discusses the plight of Guan Hang, a whistleblower facing deportation from the US despite documenting Uyghur concentration camps. Turkel criticizes the inconsistent enforcement of forced labor laws and highlights new evidence linking Uyghur slave labor to the excavation and processing of critical minerals. Rebecca Grant argues against the planned retirement of the USS Nimitz in 2026, suggesting it should be kept in reserve given delays in new Ford-class carriers. Despite the ship's age, Grant asserts that retaining the carrier offers crucial strategic depth against threats like China's PLA Navy. Rick Fisher analyzes the emerging race to build AI data centers in low Earth orbit, noting advantages like natural cooling and zero real estate costs. While Elon Musk's Starlink positions the US well, Fisher warns that China has detailed plans to use space-based data centers to support expansion into the solar system. Alan Tonelson evaluates China's economic strengths, acknowledging their dominance in rare earth processing and solar panels, often achieved through subsidies. He argues that China's heavy investment in industrial robots attempts to offset a looming demographic crash, while questioning the true market demand for their subsidized electric vehicles.

David Shedd critiques the bipartisan failure of allowing China into the World Trade Organization in 2001, which was based on the false assumption that economic engagement would lead to democratization. Instead, this decision facilitated a massive transfer of intellectual property, fueling China's rise as a predatory economic rival. 1940 EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI

Gary Kah is founder and director of Hope for the World. Gary is Editor of Hope for the World Update. He is an author and former Europe & Middle East Trade Specialist for the Indiana State Government. Globalists have an agenda that casts aside national sovereignty, private property rights and individual freedom. In other words, they have a lust for worldwide control over nearly every facet of your life. The goal is a one-world system economically, politically and even spiritually. In order to craft this effort, regular meetings are being held by the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the World Economic Forum, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and other globalist bodies. Gary monitors this agenda and he presented listeners with an update concerning the following: Pope Leo's brother supposedly is a strong MAGA Republican. Will this cause Trump to get "cozy" with the Pope?...the increase in hate toward anything Jewish or Christian...Zohran Mamdani and socialism in the United States...the economy and our debt...digital currency plans...and much more! It's always an information-packed program when Gary is the guest so there will be a lot to take in when you review this edition of Crosstalk.

Cutting Off the CCP: Deterrence Through Nuclear Proliferation and Total Economic Isolation. Jim Fanell and Brad Thayer discuss critical, urgent actions required to counter the PRC's strategic forces threat. Given the severe strategic mismatch, Fanell argues that warfighting proliferation must be considered, suggesting nuclear capabilities and proliferation in Seoul, Tokyo, and even Taiwan to change the calculus in Beijing and Washington. Thayer emphasizes that the current downturn in the PRC's economy presents an opportunity to accelerate Xi Jinping's fall, recommending a political warfare strategy focused on evicting Xi Jinping and the CCP from power. Fanell clarifies they are not recommending armed conflict, but rather a strategy of power politics and isolating the PRC, treating the CCP as an evil, pariah regime by denying them access to US money, stripping them of Most Favored Nation status, and removing them from the World Trade Organization. The most important recommendation is the necessity for US leadership to admit failure as the critical first step to repairing damage to US authority and its allies.

The Origins of Tariff Wars: China's Predatory Trade Practices Gordon Chang and Alan Tonelson Gordon Chang and Alan Tonelson agree that China initiated the trade conflict through decades of predatory and criminal trade practices. They assert that China's admission into the World Trade Organization in 2001 foolishly granted them substantial immunity from US laws designed to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. The hosts trace China's systematic violations dating to the late twentieth century, establishing a pattern of intellectual property theft and market manipulation. President Trump's tariff actions represent a long-overdue response to this entrenched aggression and economic warfare. 1890 SHANGHAI

Featuring Alexandra Wandel, Gonzalo Berrón, and Paul Adlerstein on the 1999 mass protest against the World Trade Organization in Seattle and on the giant global justice movement that mobilized unions, farmers, environmentalists, public interest advocates, and various radical leftists all over the world. Recorded live in Brussels with the European Trade Justice Coalition. First in a two-part series. Next up: a view from the Global South with Jane Nalunga and Walden Bello. Call in to leave a question for The Dig's mailbag episode: speakpipe.com/ListenerMailbag Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Buy Their End is Our Beginning at Haymarketbooks.org Read the latest issue from The Nation‘s Books & the Arts section TheNation.com/books-and-the-arts The Dig goes deep into politics everywhere, from labor struggles and political economy to imperialism and immigration. Hosted by Daniel Denvir.

Featuring Alexandra Wandel, Gonzalo Berrón, and Paul Adlerstein on the 1999 mass protest against the World Trade Organization in Seattle and on the giant global justice movement that mobilized unions, farmers, environmentalists, public interest advocates, and various radical leftists all over the world. Recorded live in Brussels with the European Trade Justice Coalition. First in a two-part series. Next up: a view from the Global South with Jane Nalunga and Walden Bello. Call in to leave a question for The Dig's mailbag episode: speakpipe.com/ListenerMailbag Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Buy Their End is Our Beginning at Haymarketbooks.org Read the latest issue from The Nation's Books & the Arts section TheNation.com/books-and-the-arts