The Dip Podcast. Money, power & consequences

As Washington pushes a new vision for an AI-era supply chain, dubbed "Pax Silica," Southeast Asia finds itself at the center of a high-stakes contest between the United States and China.

Could an energy deal be the key to peace between Russia and Ukraine? DW speaks to Agata Loskot-Strachota of the OSW Centre for Eastern Studies and Benjamin Schmitt of the University of Pennsylvania's Kleinman Center.

Could China take Taiwan and still lose? A conflict could put Beijing’s own trade, investment and access to technology at risk and send the disruption far beyond Asia.

DW speaks to Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU commissioner for economy and productivity, at the Berlin Global Dialogue.

For decades, Europe grew rich in a world built on open markets. Today, that world is disappearing.

For decades, crude oil has been the world's most closely watched commodity. But in today's fragmented global economy, the real bottleneck may be diesel.

China's AI ambitions are no longer just about catching up to Silicon Valley. From chips and data centers to energy, talent and global markets, Beijing is building an ecosystem designed to challenge US tech.

Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline was meant to keep oil moving when the Strait of Hormuz became dangerous. Experts Kate Dourian and Andrew Leber explain the cost of moving oil through a war zone.

Governments promise tax cuts, investment and economic growth. But the investors financing those promises can force leaders to change course, abandon policies and even leave office.

India wants greater strategic autonomy, but its dependence on Chinese imports, weak job creation and an IT sector exposed to AI raise doubts about whether economic scale can become lasting power.

American technology firms are increasingly dominating the world's digital economy. This leaves Europe worrying about its public and private sphere dependence on foreign cloud services, AI tools and digital platforms.

Donald Trump is using tariffs to test the reach of American economic power across the Americas. Canada’s deep integration with the US makes resistance costly, while Brazil has more room to turn towards China.

German carmakers built their success in Europe and found a growth engine in China. But that model is breaking apart.

EU countries are expected to spend €454 billion on defense this year. But how dependent is the EU still on the US?

For years, Western policymakers warned about a new "China Shock" as Chinese exports flooded global markets. Now Beijing is pushing back with a new message: stop seeing China as a threat and start seeing an opportunity.

New Data suggests that the eurozone could be returning to growth. A remarkable set of data, but there are many boobytraps for Europe ahead – one of the biggest ones is energy.

Brazil's Pix transformed the country's payments system in just five years, becoming the most widely used way to transfer money. It's fast, cheap and has become a source of national pride. But its success has also drawn c

Daniel speaks with former EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström and competition economist Cristina Caffarra about whether Europe’s rulebook is protecting citizens or holding back growth. At stake is whether Europe can compete with the United States and China without giving up the values that define its economic model.

Volkswagen’s reported plans for deeper job cuts and possible German plant closures have turned into a warning sign for the wider car industry. The company is being hit by weaker demand, high costs, US tariffs and tougher competition from Chinese electric carmakers. VW has not publicly confirmed the reported cuts, saying the issue will go through its internal decision-making process.

Russia is one of the world's largest oil producers, so why are fuel prices inside Russia soaring to record highs? As Ukrainian drone strikes target Russian refineries and energy infrastructure, cracks are appearing.

Europe's traditional big industries are struggling. Software and AI don't suffer from tariffs or logistical shocks. So could Europe put its economic hopes in software?

The dust is settling after a new US-Iran deal, but one question still matters: is this economic crisis over? Oil prices have decreased on the news that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two countries, but that MOU is still lacking details and leaves a lot to the imagination. Critics are now asking whether the biggest winner when it comes to cold, hard cash, is actually Tehran.

A conflict over Taiwan wouldn’t just be a regional crisis, it could wipe $2 trillion off Europe’s economy in a single year. That’s worse than the financial crisis from 2008 or Covid.

Could German companies return to Russia? We speak with Andreas Jahn (German Association for SMEs) and Russia expert John Lough about collapsing trade, rising risks, and whether business with Russia still makes sense.

Ukraine is scaling drone warfare at an unprecedented pace, using low cost systems to strike far beyond the frontlines and shift the fight from manpower to machines. A fast growing, decentralized production network, backed by the state and shaped by battlefield feedback, is driving this transformation.

Could Chinese-made tech threaten Europe’s power grids, cars and homes? The Dip unpacks hardware backdoors, solar inverters, robot vacuums and the fight for digital sovereignty.

Germany now already has more production capacity for conventional ammunition than the United States. Will this help the sector, which has been struggling for years?

The numbers say we're not yet in recession but the data could be hiding a nasty reality. On this episode of The Dip, we’re looking at the risks to Europe with Guntram Wolff from the Bruegel Institute and the Americas with Ricardo Hausmann, all to answer the question: Are we already in a recession?

Technology has become a geopolitical battleground, and France’s decision to move millions of government computers off Microsoft Windows highlights Europe’s concern over dependence on US tech firms for infrastructure.

A tangle of economic shocks, supply‑chain fractures and energy disruptions are now feeding into each other. In this episode of The Dip, we break down what this moment reveals about the fragility of the global system.

Around the world, governments and businesses are spending billions on space travel. Critics call this investment simply vanity projects. But, our guest says it's all going to pay off. Plus, we look at how small modular nuclear reactors are quietly emerging from the shadow of nuclear energy's past disasters.

Oil prices are surging as President Trump threatens to invade a key Iranian oil export hub. But China may be better prepared than anyone expected and could come out ahead.

The Iran war is driving up oil, fertilizer, and food costs, with ripple effects from the Strait of Hormuz to farms, supermarkets and Iran's own economy.

When AI helps shape deadly outcomes, who is responsible? And: Is Europe ready for its next energy price shock?

Oil markets are whiplashing as conflict spreads across in the Persian Gulf, turning crude into the world’s most powerful geopolitical pressure point. Prices are swinging wildly. Now, the IEA announced a historic release of 400 million barrels of reserves. But will it slow down the spiraling oil and gas prices?

US strikes in Iran trigger a shock: Prices jump. Markets panic. The epicenter is in the Gulf region — but this wave won't stop at the shoreline.

Economic warfare is reshaping trade and tech. In this episode, Edward Fishman, author of Chokepoints, explains the dollar’s power, Trump’s tariff setback, China’s leverage, and why Europe is still chasing economic security.

India’s AI Impact Summit ends with $210B in data-center pledges but experts warn automation could hit India’s IT jobs. Meanwhile, Germany explores a European nuclear deterrant.

Polymarket is growing fast, allowing people to bet on politics and global trends. Supporters call it a tool for understanding public sentiment, while critics warn of misinformation, manipulation, and financial risks.

Can the West break free from China's grip on critical minerals and space tech? A reality check on America's new alliance and Europe's struggle to catch up in satellites and launch capabilities.