Trade Splaining

Tariffs, Trade Policy, and Looking Ahead: Is the Rules-Based Trading System Breaking Down?

Episode 84 is here — and yes, 84 is the atomic number of polonium, 1984 is Orwellian, and Van Halen absolutely peaked. You’re welcome.
We’re joined again by friend of the pod Dmitry Grozoubinski, Executive Director of the Geneva Trade Platform and author of Why Politicians Lie About Trade. And we ask the big question:
👉 Has the global trading system fundamentally changed — or are we just living through noisy turbulence?
We break down:
Why Rob’s 2025 prediction that “everything will look mostly the same” is… under pressure
Whether tariff chaos has permanently destroyed predictability
Why certainty matters more than tariff levels
The EU–Mercosur deal and what it really signals
The weakening of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment
Why customs, sanctions, and rules of origin are about to get much more complicated
And Dmitry’s predictions for 2026 (spoiler: more tariff threats, fewer illusions)
Is this the end of the rules-based system?Or just a new phase where national security openly trumps trade orthodoxy?
Also: airplanes turning around because of toilets. Again.
Listen responsibly.

Trade, National Security and 2026 Walk Into a Bar

Is everything national security now?
In Episode 83 of Trade Splaining, Ardi & Rob kick off 2026 by diving head-first into the growing chaos at the intersection of trade policy, geopolitics, and national security exceptions — the legal loophole that ate the global trading system.
We break down why trade is no longer just about efficiency or tariffs, but increasingly about power, leverage, and security theatre — from Greenland and semiconductors to Japan–China tensions and WTO rule-stretching.
Then we’re joined (again) by two of our favourite adults in the room:
Dr. Mona Paulsen (LSE)
Prof. Greg Messenger (University of Bristol)
Together, we unpack:
Why “national security” now seems to cover everything except furniture
Whether today’s chaos is a temporary shock — or a return to how trade always worked
What businesses should actually watch for amid policy incoherence
Whether the US is still a reliable anchor for the global trading system
And why the real question isn’t what Washington does — but what everyone else does next
Plus:
A new 2026 format (more depth, fewer Lake Geneva anecdotes — we promise)
Sleep-bro optimisation culture (yes, really)
AI, soft skills, and why getting your boss coffee is apparently back
Donuts, laundry, and the National Security Exception™ as a life philosophy
🎙️ No opinions. Just vibes. And trade law.
👉 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.📩 Questions? trade.splaining@gmail.com🔔 Like, subscribe, follow — appease the algorithm.
#TradeSplaining #GlobalTrade #NationalSecurity #Geopolitics #TradePolicy #WTO #SupplyChains #ListenResponsibly

Tariffs, Tomato Paste, and the 2025 End-of-Year Recap

In Episode 82 of Trade Splaining, Ardian Mollabeqiri and Robert Skidmore close out the year with an end-of-year global trade reality check.
This episode covers:
Why Europe’s energy transition is starting to hit household wallets
China’s overcapacity problem — from electric vehicles to tomato paste
Why tariffs are proving inflationary (again) and failing to cut trade deficits
How supply chains keep finding workarounds, no matter the policy
Rising debt and capital outflows facing developing economies
What “fragmentation” looks like in practice — and whether there’s a third way
No guest this time — just a wide-ranging news roundup, listener feedback, and a reminder that when pizza orders start shrinking, something bigger is going on.
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📩 Get in touch: tradesplaining@gmail.com🐦 Follow us on Twitter/X & BlueSky | 📸 Instagram | 💼 LinkedIn
Listen responsibly.

Tariffs, Tech, and Toxic Metals: What We Missed This Summer

Trade Splaining is back! After a summer break (and one new baby later), Ardi and Rob return to make sense of what’s changed — and what hasn’t — in global trade, business, and expat life. From the latest round of tariffs and China’s “pivot” away from developing-country status at the WTO, to why AI might be the next big trade disruptor, we break down the stories shaping the global economy in 2025.
We’re also joined by Neil Shearing, Chief Economist at Capital Economics and author of The Fractured Age, to unpack how geopolitical rivalries are reshaping globalization — or maybe just rearranging it.
In This Episode:
🎵 Why global trade sounds like a Kelly Clarkson song
🇨🇳 China’s slowdown vs. export boom — and what Michael Pettis got right
💸 Why tariffs haven’t been inflationary (yet)
🧠 How AI is quietly rewriting the rules of services trade
🌍 Neil Shearing on the U.S.–China split, Europe’s role, and who wins in a fractured world
🕰️ Plus: Swiss MAGA farmers, salmon sperm facials as recession indicators, and the new rock-solid watch from Tissot
Keywords:global trade podcast, Trade Splaining, Neil Shearing, The Fractured Age, deglobalization, US-China trade war, WTO 2025, AI and trade, services trade, tariffs inflation, global economy podcast

The (new) New Trade Policy, AI and How Apple Helped Build Modern China ft. Patrick McGee

In Episode 80 of Trade Splaining, we’re pulling back the curtain on everything from secret sausage wars to how Apple helped build modern China. Along the way, we break down the increasingly blurry line between trade policy and geopolitics, why AI is now after your desk job, and how sober tailgates and millennial nostalgia are the new macro indicators.
Special Guest: Patrick McGee, FT journalist and author of Apple in China, joins us to explain:
Why Apple didn’t just outsource manufacturing to China—it helped build it
How a $55B investment strategy turned into a Marshall Plan for advanced manufacturing
Why decoupling is harder than we think, and what it means for the future of globalization
Also in this episode:
Is trade policy dead—or just dressed up as national security?
The AI job shock: not just repetitive tasks, but white-collar jobs too
A big new EU–Switzerland trade deal (and an even bigger name: “The Bilaterals”)
Listener feedback, airline mysteries, stolen sausage secrets, and the return of All-American Rejects
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows.

Shipping Goes Net Zero, Sell America and Talking Circular Economy

Description:In Episode 79 of Trade Splaining, Rob and Ardian dive deep into the surprising relevance of decarbonizing global shipping, why GDP might not be the best metric anymore, and how the EU and UK are slowly making Brexit... not a thing. We also ask: is multilateralism really dead—or just resting?
💡 What You'll Hear in This Episode:
Circular Reasoning (with actual logic): Guest Eva-Maria Bille of the European Environmental Bureau unpacks why circular economy policies matter more than ever—especially in a world of inflation, geopolitics, and defense budgets.
Shipping News That Doesn’t Suck: The IMO’s historic (kind of) net-zero deal for shipping by 2050, what it means, and why it’s both hopeful and half-baked.
Sell America? Moody’s downgrades the US credit rating, tourism is slowing, and Americans are quietly flocking to Swiss banks. Coincidence? We think not.
GDP Is Over Party: A new push to rethink how we measure economic health. Is it time to dump GDP in favor of balance sheet metrics?
Brexit: The Silent Patch-Up: A new EU-UK trade deal smooths post-Brexit trade pain. Is it a quiet realignment or political heresy?
Swiss Wool Emergency & War Readiness: From Geneva’s updated war brochure to a growing sheep wool crisis, it’s your must-hear Swiss WTFs.
🔁 Also Featuring:
Listener shoutouts to "Eric" and Ron "Burgundy"
Michelle’s "Vibe Shift" report: Enron eggs, TikTok satire, and the birds that were never real
A kebab-off between Geneva and Beirut
A surprisingly accurate Bond reference and sheep-related crisis management
📬 Subscribe, review, share—and email us your feedback or best kebab takes at Trade.Splaining@gmail.com
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Tariffs, Trade Turbulence & Customs Insights ft. Lars Karlsson

In Episode 78 of Trade Splaining, hosts Rob and Ardi explore the complex impact of tariffs on global trade, the humorous yet insightful nature of episode 78, and unique trade issues around the world. Guest Lars Karlsson from Maersk discusses how both small and large companies are navigating the new trade realities. The episode also covers topical issues such as the pistachio shortage, the impact of European policies on trade, and new recession indicators. Additionally, it touches on disruptions like the ban on Brazilian butt lift ads in the UK and the rise in train robberies.
 
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
02:31 Listener Feedback and Corrections
04:26 Market Trends and Economic Insights
12:59 De-Dollarization and Global Financial Shifts
16:35 Interview with Lars Carlson: Navigating Trade Complexities
20:47 Challenges for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
21:27 The Role of AI in Supply Chain Management
22:40 Customs and Compliance in a Changing Trade Environment
24:14 The Impact of Tariff Conflicts on Global Trade
26:24 Navigating Uncertainty in International Trade
29:11 The Future of Trade and Emerging Solutions
36:08 Recession Indicators and Economic Trends
38:53 Local News and Unusual Events
40:50 Podcast Wrap-Up and Listener Engagement

China’s China Shock & Tariff Reality Check ft. Peter S. Goodman

Episode 77: China’s China Shock & Tariff Reality Check ft. Peter S. Goodman
Episode Summary:In Episode 77 of Trade Splaining, we dig into China’s very own “China Shock,” why Budweiser is going budget in Shanghai, and how the global economy might be looking a lot more like... China’s.
Plus, New York Times journalist Peter S. Goodman returns for his third appearance to discuss how the ground-level impact of tariffs is changing the game—from Colombian factory floors to bourbon country in Kentucky.
We’re also talking nearshoring, recession vibes, and why Geneva’s exotic bird problems could signal more than just invasive species.
🔍 In this episode:
Why China’s slowdown is not just about growth, but a structural shift in manufacturing
What the "China China Shock" means for global supply chains
Is Trump’s tariff plan actually a branding strategy?
What whiskey, rye, and Louisville have to do with nationalism
And…the clean girl aesthetic as a recession indicator 🧴
🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Special Guest:📚 Peter S. Goodman – Global Economic Correspondent at The New York Times and author of How the World Ran Out of Everything
🔗 Connect with us:
X / Twitter: @TradeSplaining
Instagram: @trade.splaining
Email: tradesplaining@gmail.com

The Green Transition, Customs Fraud & Why Tariffs Might Save the WTO (sort of)

Episode Summary:In this episode of Trade Splaining, we unpack the latest twists in the Green Transition—spoiler alert: China’s winning. We also explore how chaos is reshaping global trade, why Manchester United’s new stadium might cost a fortune (hint: tariffs), and the Swiss government's crackdown on... cheap meat?
Our guest, Professor Joost Pauwelyn, joins us to break down 21st-century customs fraud, how trade rules are shifting, and why the WTO may actually survive this era of economic uncertainty.
If you’ve ever wondered how renewable energy, geopolitics, and tariffs intersect—or whether you should still care about composting—this episode is for you.
🔹 In This Episode:
China’s dominance in the Green Transition and why Europe is struggling to keep up
The hidden cost of Manchester United’s new stadium—tariffs, steel prices, and trade wars
Switzerland’s unexpected role as the world's top container trader
What’s happening with customs fraud, sustainability standards, and the rise of "trade surveillance"
The future of WTO, and why reciprocal tariffs might actually save it
And, of course, a deep dive into Geneva’s most pressing issue—affordable meat
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 Links & Mentions:
Follow us on Twitter/X
Join the conversation on Instagram
Have a hot take? Email us at tradesplaining@gmail.com

The Trade War Heats Up, China’s Biotech Rise & Switzerland’s Beaver Problem

Episode 75: Tariffs, Work From Home & Beaver Hunting?
Episode Summary:In this episode of Tradesplaining, Rob and Ardi tackle tariffs, Gen Z’s middle management crisis, and the work-from-home debate. As Trump’s economic policies continue reshaping global trade, we look at the real-world impact of escalating tariffs, Canada and Mexico’s shifting strategies, and how businesses are struggling to adapt.
Plus, we dive into:✅ The collapse of the $80B diamond market – Are diamonds not forever?✅ Jamie Dimon vs. Work From Home – Why America’s biggest bank CEO really doesn’t believe you work on Fridays✅ Gen Z’s "Middle Management Revolt" – Why young professionals are rejecting promotions✅ China’s Biotech Boom – The next frontier in U.S.-China competition✅ Switzerland's Legalization of...Beaver Hunting?! – Yes, this is a real story.
All this, plus a deep dive into the latest global trade shifts, economic uncertainty, and what it means for businesses, workers, and everyday consumers.
What’s Inside This Episode?
💰 Tariff Wars 2.0 – The U.S. is escalating trade restrictions at breakneck speed. We analyze:👉 How tariffs on Canada, Mexico & China are upending supply chains👉 The U.K.’s balancing act between Washington and Brussels👉 What Trump’s “reciprocal tariff” plan could mean for global trade
🏡 Work From Home Under Fire – Are remote workers actually working on Fridays?👉 Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan doesn’t think so, and his latest comments are sparking a new work-from-home war.👉 Is there a growing divide between remote workers and office culture?
👔 Gen Z’s Rejection of Middle Management – A shocking new study says:👉 50% of Gen Z white-collar workers don’t ever want to be middle managers👉 Many view it as "high stress, low reward" – are they wrong?👉 What does this mean for the future of leadership & corporate structures?
💎 The Diamond Market Crash – Why the $80B diamond industry is imploding post-COVID.👉 De Beers is struggling – is this the end of an era?👉 Are lab-grown diamonds taking over?
💊 China’s Biotech Boom – China now produces 30% of the world’s new drug patents, up from 5% just a decade ago.👉 Can U.S. tariffs slow China’s rise in pharmaceuticals?👉 Is biotech the next big U.S.-China trade war battleground?
🇨🇭 Switzerland News Roundup – Only in Switzerland…👉 Legalizing Cannabis – but is Switzerland ready for a nationwide rollout?👉 Legalizing Beaver Hunting?! – Yes, really. It’s happening.
🎙️ And, of course, plenty of listener feedback, jokes, and the best trade analysis that won’t put you to sleep!