Trade, National Security and 2026 Walk Into a Bar
Tue Jan 27 2026
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
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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