Trade Splaining
A fun and entertaining look at global affairs, trade and the United Nations, brought to you from the perspective of two American expats living in Switzerland. They try to keep a straight face while recapping the latest in current events and the local scene in Geneva, Switzerland as well as interviews with fellow expats on the international scene and leaders in their respective fields.
A fun and entertaining look at global affairs, trade and the United Nations, brought to you from the perspective of two American expats living in Switzerland. They try to keep a straight face while recapping the latest in current events and the local scene in Geneva, Switzerland as well as interviews with fellow expats on the international scene and leaders in their respective fields.
Episodes

Dec 29, 2022
2022 Re-Splained
Dec 29, 2022
Dec 29, 2022
36 min
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore look back on the year that was 2022 and recap the biggest new stories and trends and look forward to 2023 and what the forecast looking ahead.
The include rising trade tensions between the US and the EU, the WTO, anti-trust and Big Tech, China's de-coupling, the rise and fall of global freight shipping, global supply chains and of course: inflation
Dec 29, 2022
36 min

Nov 17, 2022
Nov 17, 2022
44 min
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined by Peter S. Goodman, Global Economics Correspondent for the New York Times and author of Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World.
They talk about why he believes rising inequality and the concentration of wealth among billionaires has come not only at the expense of most of the world’s population but has not been by accident or natural result of “Globalization”, but rather a conscious push by “Davos Men”. We also talk about why he believes trade oftentimes incorrectly bears the brunt of this blame and carrys so many negative consequences.
Ardian and Rob also digest the latest news coming from COP27, Germany and Apples political and economic dilemma when it comes to China and the US, the OECDs Global Minimum Tax as well as big layoffs in the tech industry.
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the vibe shift happening right under Boomers, Gen X....and even Millenial's noses.
Nov 17, 2022
44 min

Oct 27, 2022
Oct 27, 2022
40 min
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined by Shannon O'Neil, Vice President, Deputy Director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
They talk about why we should look closer to home when talking about the benefits of Globalization, what we get wrong when messaging it...and the best taco spots in New York City.
Ardian and Rob also digest the latest news on recently announced US Export Controls on China's Semi-conductor Industry, inflation continuing to wreak havoc on developing and developed nations alike, and the latest on New York City's "War on Rats".
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses.
Oct 27, 2022
40 min

Oct 4, 2022
Oct 4, 2022
43 min
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined by Caroline Freund, Dean of the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy and former Global Director of Trade, Investment and Competitiveness at the World Bank.
They talk about how political considerations are shifting trade patterns, what students are learning today that's different from past generations....and of course, San Diego kebabs.
Ardian and Rob also talk about the latest news on how the global economy has caught the inflation bug, Industrial policy by a different name, China's new and improved Belt & Road 2.0, unions and the future of work.
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the end of globalization and the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses.
Oct 4, 2022
43 min

Sep 1, 2022
China, Trade Deals & Changing Perceptions
Sep 1, 2022
Sep 1, 2022
42 min
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined by Dmitry Grozoubinski, lead trainer of ExplainTrade, Executive Director of the Geneva Trade Platform at the Graduate Institute's Centre for Trade and Economic Integration, and Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde’s School of Law. They talk about how he’s seen the discussion around trade change over the past decade, his advice for young people and what its like being from... New Zealand???
Ardian and Rob also talk about the latest news related to the continued fallout from geopolitical tensions in Taiwan and China as well as seeing the effects of tariffs and why falling commodities prices may not be so great for developing countries
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the end of globalization and the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses.
Sep 1, 2022
42 min

Aug 16, 2022
Taiwan, Tech & the WTO
Aug 16, 2022
Aug 16, 2022
39 min
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined Bryce Baschuk, Geneva-based reporter for Bloomberg News. They talk about what it's like covering the WTO, how covering the trade beat has evolved over the past decade, and why there is still hope.
Ardian and Rob also talk about the latest news related to how climate change and geopolitical tensions in Taiwan and elsewhere are affecting international trade patterns as well as the tech bubble bursting, or not.
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the end of globalization and the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses.
Aug 16, 2022
39 min

Jul 28, 2022
Jul 28, 2022
35 min
On this episode of TradeSplaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined Ian Goldin - Director of the Martin School and Professor at the University of Oxford. They talk about why globalization gets such a bad rap, where it can be improved and how it can be a solution to many of the worlds issues. Ian also muses on why the world also needs more vegan kebabs.
Ardian and Rob also talk about the latest economic news coming out of China (Hint:debt is involved), rising interest rates and the real and growing potential for a global food crisis as well as how trade still seems to find a way to function despite the fragmentation of the global trading system
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses.
Ian Goldin is Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford, Director of the Oxford Martin Programmes on Technological and Economic Change, Future of Work and Future of Development and founding Director of the Oxford Martin School. His twitter address is @ian_goldin and website https://iangoldin.org/.
Jul 28, 2022
35 min

Jun 30, 2022
Jun 30, 2022
39 min
On this episode of TradeSplaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined Chad P. Bown - Reginald Jones Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE).
They talk about what we learned from MC12, whether geopolitical considerations more important to economists now than they were before, whose winning the Trade War (hint: nobody) as well as his pick for favorite guilty pleasure in Geneva.
Ardian and Rob also digest the WTO Ministerial Conference 12, whether the nature of trade and supply chains is shifting, as well as the latest from the US as a forced labor bill meant to target forced labor in China and Xinjiang.
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses...this time from Tinder.
Jun 30, 2022
39 min

Jun 9, 2022
Supply Chains, ESG and Big Tech
Jun 9, 2022
Jun 9, 2022
35 min
On this episode of TradeSplaining, Lars Karlsson - Global Head of Trade & Customs consulting at A.P. Møller-Mærsk joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about yet more changes supply chains, what we should expect... and his favorite Vikings tv show
They also discuss the latest on the latest news on the Big Tech front, what the future holds for ESG, China's exports and more!
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses.
Jun 9, 2022
35 min

May 26, 2022
May 26, 2022
39 min
On this episode of TradeSplaining, Inu Mank - Trade Policy Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations - joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about the United States perspective on the WTO as well as her views on Globalization and why we should all visit Geneva
They also discuss the latest on why oil is still king, whether de-globalization is something we should be worried about, the latest on baby formula and export bans in India.
The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle Olguin as she also gives her thoughts on the vibe shift happening right under Boomers and Gen X's noses.
May 26, 2022
39 min







