Foreign Press Podcast

The 2025 U.S.-China trade war was about far more than tariffs. According to Georgetown University scholar Evan Medeiros, it marked a structural turning point in the relationship between the world's two largest economies. In this episode, Medeiros joins veteran journalist Roseanne Gerin to discuss his latest research paper, "A New Era of U.S.-China Interaction: From Competing to Racing," published by the National Bureau of Asian Research with support from the Hinrich Foundation. They explore how the trade conflict evolved into a broader supply-chain war, exposing vulnerabilities on both sides and reshaping competition over critical minerals, semiconductors, advanced technologies, and global manufacturing networks. Medeiros explains why the U.S. and China are now engaged in a "race for leverage," how economic interdependence is increasingly being weaponized, and what this means for policymakers, businesses, and the future of global trade. The conversation also examines China's push for self-sufficiency, America's evolving strategy toward Beijing, and the growing challenges of managing competition while maintaining coexistence.This podcast episode was produced in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation. AFPC-USA is solely responsible for the content of this episode.

The United States has a complicated relationship with immigration. Or, does it? In this podcast episode, we unpack immigration policies in the US and narratives around immigration with Prof. Hiroshi Motomura and Prof. Cecilia Menjívar from UCLA.This interview was conducted by Ankita M. Kumar, who is an AFPC-USA Professional Excellence awardee.

Economist Stewart Paterson joins us to explain why the overvaluation of the U.S. dollar—not just tariffs—is at the heart of America’s persistent trade deficits. Based on his recent paper for the Hinrich Foundation titled “Trump, the US Dollar, and American Trade Policy,” this conversation breaks down the real economic consequences of currency misalignment. Why have tariffs failed to solve the trade imbalance? Why does a strong dollar hurt U.S. exporters—and benefit others?This interview was conducted by Stephanie Ochoa, the White House correspondent for Entravision.This episode was produced in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation. AFPC-USA is solely responsible for the content of this episode.

Is China out-innovating the U.S.? Craig Allen, former U.S. ambassador and longtime expert on U.S.-China relations, breaks down the complex dynamics shaping today’s tech rivalry. In this episode, we examine the “four rivers” of Chinese innovation, how Beijing is reshaping industrial policy, and what U.S. policymakers are missing. Allen shares insights from decades in diplomacy and trade—and sounds the alarm on where America needs to step up. Ultimately, it isn't just about competition. It’s about understanding what’s really at stake.This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, who oversees AFPC-USA's editorial operations.This episode has been produced in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation. AFPC-USA is solely responsible for the content of this episode.

Brooks McFeely, founder and CEO of MT Newswires, joins the show to share how he built one of the world’s most trusted sources for real-time, unbiased financial news. With over 25 years in the industry, Brooks talks about launching the company in 1999, the importance of staying commentary-free, and how MT Newswires now powers some of the biggest names in global finance. We get into his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of market data, and why neutrality is a competitive advantage in today’s info-saturated economy.This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, who leads AFPC-USA's editorial operations.

How can parliaments drive meaningful climate action? In this episode, we speak with Stephen Twigg, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), about the crucial role of legislators in addressing climate challenges. With over 180 legislatures across the Commonwealth, the CPA fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and policy development to strengthen parliamentary responses to the climate crisis. From holding governments accountable to crafting impactful environmental legislation, parliaments play a key role in shaping a sustainable future. Tune in to explore how global cooperation through the CPA can turn climate commitments into real action.This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, who leads AFPC-USA's editorial operations.This episode has been developed in partnership with Arizona State University's Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. AFPC-USA is solely responsible for the content of this episode.