Trade Splaining

Is the WTO Still Relevant? MC14, Trade Chaos & a Surprisingly Resilient System | Peter Foster (FT)

Episode 86 – Is the WTO Still Relevant? MC14, Trade Chaos & a Surprisingly Resilient System | Peter Foster (FT)
🎧 Listen: t.ly/K4Jnc
Has the global trading system fundamentally broken — or is it proving more resilient than expected?
In Episode 86 of Trade Splaining, we sit down with Peter Foster, World Trade Editor at the Financial Times, to unpack the real outcomes of WTO Ministerial Conference 14 (MC14) and what they reveal about the future of global trade.
🌍 What we cover:
MC14: What actually happenedThe conference ended with limited concrete outcomes, highlighting deep divisions — particularly around the e-commerce moratorium and broader reform efforts.
Is the WTO still relevant?We explore whether the WTO is adapting to a new global reality or slowly drifting toward irrelevance in a world dominated by great power politics.
Rise of regional and plurilateral dealsAs consensus becomes harder, countries are increasingly turning to smaller coalitions and regional agreements to move forward.
Trade policy chaosFrom “napkin deals” to unpredictable negotiations, the current trade environment is becoming harder for governments and businesses to navigate.
The big paradox: trade resilienceDespite rising tariffs and geopolitical tensions, global trade flows have remained surprisingly stable — raising questions about how much has really changed.
🔑 Key takeaway:
Even in a more fragmented and politically charged world, global trade continues to function — not because the system is strong, but because the incentives to keep it going are still stronger.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & episode 86 (Radon edition)03:20 – Interview with Peter Foster05:00 – MC14 recap10:00 – WTO relevance debate16:00 – Trade resilience vs tariffs20:00 – Future of global trade24:00 – Local news (Swiss cheese diplomacy 🧀)
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Tariffs Struck Down… Then Came Back + A Middle East Conflict That Threatens Food Prices ft. Peter S Goodman (NYT)

Episode 85 – Tariffs Struck Down… Then Came Back + Middle East Conflict Threatens Food Prices
Have tariffs really been rolled back — or just repackaged under a different legal label?
In Episode 85 of Trade Splaining, we unpack the fallout from the US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs — and why, despite the headlines, not much may have actually changed.
We then turn to a fast-moving and underreported risk: how the Middle East conflict is disrupting global fertilizer supply chains — and what that could mean for food prices worldwide.
We’re joined by Peter S. Goodman (New York Times) to break down why this matters more than most people think.
🔑 What we cover
Why US tariffs were struck down — and how they came back almost immediately
What happens to the $133 billion in tariff revenues now in legal limbo
Whether trade policy has actually shifted — or just changed legal justification
Why supply chains continue to reconfigure rather than truly de-risk
How a third of global fertilizer supply depends on the Persian Gulf
Why urea prices spiked ~45% in a week — and what that signals
How fertilizer shortages translate into lower yields and higher food prices
Why globalization isn’t going away — despite rising geopolitical tensions
The economic incentives preventing a real shift toward resilience
💡 Key takeaways
The legal basis for tariffs may have changed — but the policy hasn’t
Tariffs remain a central tool of economic and geopolitical leverage
Supply chains are adapting, but not necessarily becoming more resilient
Global food systems remain highly exposed to geopolitical shocks
Efficiency continues to win over resilience — until crisis hits
🌍 Why this matters
From tariffs to fertilizers, this episode highlights just how interconnected today’s global economy really is.
Disruptions in one region — whether legal, political, or military — can quickly ripple across supply chains, prices, and everyday life.
And despite all the talk of “deglobalization,” the system remains deeply interdependent — and fragile.
📢 Listen & follow
If you enjoyed the episode:👉 Follow / Subscribe on your preferred platform👉 Share with a fellow trade nerd👉 Help us (and the algorithm) by leaving a rating or review
🔎 Keywords (for SEO)
tariffs, US trade policy, Supreme Court tariffs ruling, Middle East conflict, Strait of Hormuz, fertilizer supply, urea prices, global food prices, supply chains, globalization, trade policy podcast

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