Democrats and Republicans have taken a protectionist turn on trade policy over the past few years. They say it’s to protect national security, but that argument doesn’t always hold up. Just look at this week’s announcement from vice-president Kamala Harris that she doesn’t support the purchase of US Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel. The FT’s economics editor, Sam Fleming, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why both parties are leaning into “Made in America”.

Mentioned in this podcast:

How national security has transformed economic policy

Joe Biden set to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of US Steel

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Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

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President Emmanuel Macron has named the EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s next prime minister. Plus, Europe’s sustainable investment funds double down on defence stocks, and Ukraine ​President Volodymyr Zelenskyy carries out his biggest wartime cabinet reshuffle yet.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Europe’s ESG funds more than double defence holdings amid Ukraine war

Michel Barnier promises respect for ‘all political forces’ as French PM

Zelenskyy seeks ‘new energy’ with Ukraine’s biggest wartime cabinet reshuffle

The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Saffeya Ahmed, Michela Tindera, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Volkswagen calls for drastic measures to bolster profits, and President Joe Biden wants to block a Japanese company’s acquisition of US Steel. Plus, damning findings about the Grenfell Tower fire surface, and Egypt’s journey from gas bonanza to power blackouts

Mentioned in this podcast:

Joe Biden set to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of US Steel

Volkswagen warns staff it has ‘a year, maybe two’ to adapt to lower demand

‘Incompetence, dishonesty and greed’: Key findings of Grenfell report

Egypt’s journey from gas bonanza to power blackouts

CREDIT: AP

The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.