Episode 450: Tariff Tensions—Trade Deals, Retaliation, and Resetting the Market
Today, Jess, Les, Matt, and Algene break down the latest developments in U.S. trade policy. A new U.S.-UK agreement lowers tariffs on select British imports to 10%, including automobiles, aluminum, and steel. Meanwhile, the U.S. and China are set to meet this weekend in Geneva to jumpstart trade talks aimed at easing escalating tensions, as President Trump recently declared on social media that an 80% tariff on Chinese goods "seems right.”Is the U.S.-UK trade deal a meaningful step forward, or a symbolic win? Can the upcoming U.S.-China talks ease economic pressure and provide relief for American businesses and consumers? What are the national security stakes in U.S.-China trade negotiations?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out these stories which helped shape our experts’ opinions. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/china-agrees-to-trade-talks-with-the-u-s-and-rolls-out-more-stimulus-as-tariffs-hit-economyhttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-says-china-wants-negotiate-meet-right-time-2025-05-06/https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/trump-us-uk-trade-announcementhttps://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ready-fresh-100-billion-counterstrike-donald-trump-tariffs/Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@lestermunson@WMattHayden@AlgeneSajeryLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/430xXMUN30I Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 449: Smoke Signals – The Global Stakes of the Next Pope
Today, Morgan, Les, Matt, and Jess unpack the opening of the Papal Conclave, where 133 cardinals will vote to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church following Pope Francis' death. As the Church prepares for a new era, the next pontiff will inherit a vast and diverse flock of 1.4 billion people—and a complex geopolitical role.What legacy does Pope Francis leave behind? How will the next pope shape global diplomacy, from China to Ukraine to Africa and Latin America? Will this be a time of renewed outreach or internal retrenchment—and how will growing Catholic populations across the world influence the direction of the Church for the next 25 years?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@lestermunson@WMattHayden@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/Y2fkorABorQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 448: Ukraine Updates – Drones, Deals, and Defense
Today, Les, Martha, Andrew, and Matt unpack the latest developments in U.S.-Ukraine relations—from a newly signed mineral deal with financial provisions for reconstruction deal to reports of Ukrainian sea drones downing Russian fighter jets with U.S. tech, and the transfer of Patriot missile systems. With these moves, the U.S. is significantly increasing its support for Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities.Is this a turning point in the Trump administration’s approach to Ukraine? What do these shifts mean for deterrence, reconstruction, and European defense? And with Zelensky and Trump’s Vatican meeting behind them, is the U.S.-Ukraine relationship entering a new phase of partnership?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. Check out the sources that helped inform our experts today: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukrainian-naval-drones-shoot-down-russian-jets-in-military-first-kyiv-says-bc0eaf08 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-patriot-systems.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@WMattHayden@AndrewBoreneLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/uYCo7qhquGM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 447: Waltz Out, Rubio In: A National Security Shake Up
Today, Martha, Les, and Andrew discuss the sudden removal of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who has now been nominated by President Trump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. While framed as a promotion, many view the shift as a demotion in both political influence and strategic significance—especially as Waltz’s hawkish stance on Russia, China, and Iran put him at odds with a more isolationist wing of the administration.Is this a sign the Trump administration is softening on Iran? What message does this send to allies and adversaries alike? And with Marco Rubio now wearing multiple hats as Secretary of State, acting USAID administrator, and interim National Security Advisor, is this a moment of consolidation—or further chaos?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. Check out the sources that helped inform our experts today: https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-1-2025 https://www.bbc.com/news/live/crkx3ed5dn2t Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@lestermunson@AndrewBoreneLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/FTR22P675n0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Jess take stock of President Trump’s first 101 days back in office. From sweeping global tariffs on “Liberation Day” to high-stakes negotiations in Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran, the administration has taken an aggressive approach to foreign policy—with mixed results. Domestically, hardline immigration policies and sharp cuts to foreign aid have pleased the base, while chaos and concern continue around national security decision-making.Is the Trump administration delivering on its promises or generating more confusion than progress? Has its pressure on allies—from Canada to Greenland to Panama—strengthened U.S. leverage or isolated it further? And as Europe scrambles for cohesion, how would you grade the administration so far?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@lestermunson@morganlroach@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/_5PkcTRFDTM Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fault Lines, the National Security Institute’s flagship podcast, gets you quickly up to speed, three-times-a-week, on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America.Our regular cast of foreign policy experts includes NSI Deputy Executive Director Martha Miller, NSI Senior Fellows Lester Munson and Morgan Viña, and Director of the NSI CTC - Howard University Cybersecurity Clinic Jessica Jones. Tune in to learn more about the issues dominating headlines and the news stories you may have missed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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