Episodes
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined by Richard Baldwin, author and Professor of International Economics at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland joins Trade Splaining once again to discuss how what advances in AI like ChatGPT mean for his past predictions on the future of work and international trade, his takeaways from Davos and more. Ardian and Rob also touch base on the state of export controls and green subsidies as well as...
Published 02/09/23
On this episode of Trade Splaining, hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore are joined by Alessandro Fedele, Global Head, Private Sector, Innovative Financing, Strategy and Support at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC. They talk about the private sectors relationship to humanitarian aid and discover why the link is stronger then many assume at first. They also dive into the latest on 2023 and talk about the death...or not...of globalization...
Published 01/24/23
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 
Published 12/29/22
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...
Published 11/17/22
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...
Published 10/27/22
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...
Published 10/04/22
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...
Published 09/01/22
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,...
Published 08/16/22
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...
Published 07/28/22
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...
Published 06/30/22
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...
Published 06/09/22
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...
Published 05/26/22
On this episode of TradeSplaining, Jan Eeckhout - author, economist and professor - joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about what why we should be concerned about market concentration and what should be done about it. Also: kebabs. They also discuss the latest hot takes on why Globalization is ending and the French elections, what Netflix's drop says about competition in the industry and their take on Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter. The co-hosts...
Published 05/05/22
On this episode of Tradesplaining, Ardi finally returns from his unpaid sick leave ready with the hot takes on globalisation, supply chains, and of course watches.  Join them as they share their thoughts on supply chains, as well as the equally important disappearance of the iconic duo Coco and Roxy. The co-hosts are also joined by TS producer Michelle as she also gives her thoughts on organized labor, as well as the latest from Local News.
Published 04/14/22
Join Rob and Michelle as they discuss Ukraine and Russia, Russia and Ukraine, and the future of the WTO. Special Guest Anabel González, WTO deputy director general, formerly senior fellow at PIIE & host of Trade Winds, senior director at the World Bank, and Costa Rica trade minister joins to explain how the WTO is facing the post COVID times and the future of trade in general.
Published 03/10/22
Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore explore what we always get wrong about China with recovering ex-journalist and founder of Darken Light Consulting Rachel Morarjee Michelle Olguin debuts as co-host for the new roundup as weep28 tackle such issues as: where on God's green earth is Ardi? the anti-work movement why the boom is ending for Peleton and Netflix  Gruyère cheese under threat how US sanctions on Russia could reinforce the fragmentation of global trade and tech 
Published 02/15/22
In the final episode of 2021 , Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore close out the year in their very own Trade Splaining way by recapping the year that was, the key takeaways they gathered from guests along the way and what we can expect for 2022.
Published 12/16/21
Kristina Touzenis, Head of the Geneva Chapter of Women in Sustainable Finance and  Former Head of International Migration Law Unit at the International Organization for Migration joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about what Environmental, Social and Governance is all about, how its changed and where its going. Also: kebabs. On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: The latest on the WTO Ministerial Conference 12, which has been...
Published 12/02/21
Dr. Mark Esposito, scholar, Co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Nexus Frontier Tech joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about mega-trends, his views on China's tech crackdown, why our future doesn't have to be as bleak as the latest James Cameron film and what policymakers need to understand better about tech companies. On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: Follow-up to the discussion on Evergrande crisis The latest on Chinese bond...
Published 11/18/21
Susan Ariel Aaronson, Director of the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub at George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington, D.C. joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about why data governance is so difficult to get right, why it matters...and what we can do about it. She also gives her own special take on kebabs. On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: The Evergrande crisis and what the bursting of...
Published 10/12/21
Lars Karlsson, Global Head of Trade and Customs at A.P. Møller – Mærsk joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about why we should be excited about the future of customs, which areas companies like Mærsk are focusing....and his favorite Bruce Springsteen song. On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: Continuing supply chains issues affecting the globe How spending by the rich on a luxury boom is driving the US economic recovery The skyrocketing...
Published 09/16/21
Al Gina, president and co-founder of CT strategies and former assistant commissioner for international trade at the US customs and border protection joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about how customs has changed over the past 30+ years, what are some of the challenges governments now face which people aren't aware of....and his bets memories of Staten Island On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: - The latest on the UN Climate Report -...
Published 08/31/21
International trade scholar Simon Evenett of the University of St. Gallen Dr. joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to talk about why we should be worried about global trade restrictions, what can be done...and whether Ridley Scott really is better than Peter Jackson On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: - The new G7 agreement on a global corporate minimum tax - How tariffs have had unintended consequences on China and Australia's trade relationship -...
Published 06/15/21
Customs and international trade expert Dr. Anna Jerzewska joins hosts Ardian Mollabeciri and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to recap where we are almost six months after Brexit day, why inclusiveness is important for expanding the discussion...and vegan kebabs On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: - Supply chain gluts, commodity price rises, and global inflation fears - The impact of Trumps tariffs - Switzerlands stalled deal with the EU - The best in local news from Geneva and...
Published 06/01/21
Trade experts Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch, co-hosts of the Trade Guys podcast at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) join  hosts Ardian Mollabecir and Robert Skidmore on Trade Splaining to recap the first 100 days of President Joe Biden's Administration and talk about whether the United States' trade policy has reached a new normal and where we go from here. On this episode, Ardian and Rob also discuss: - US backing of Covid-19 vaccine waivers - Chinese manufactures...
Published 05/13/21