
Bloomberg Talks Chairman & CEO at Roubini Macro Associates Nouriel Roubini Talks Geopolitics, AI Takeover
Feb 18, 2026
Nouriel Roubini, economist and CEO of Roubini Macro Associates, known for forecasting crises, shares his recent Middle East travels and concerns about Iran. He discusses U.S. tech-led resilience versus China, tariffs and trade dynamics, AI-driven investment reshaping industries, skilled immigration needs, and political and economic risks ahead.
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Three Weeks In The Gulf And Israel
- Nouriel described travel across Saudi Arabia, Israel, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to gauge views on Iran and geopolitics.
- He reported consistent concern about potential conflict and negotiations happening behind the scenes.
U.S. Remains The Investment Magnet
- Despite public criticism, Gulf investors still see the U.S. as the primary investment destination.
- Roubini expects U.S. productivity gains from technology to reinforce American exceptionalism.
Don't Announce Abrupt High Tariffs
- Market discipline forced the administration to roll back extreme tariff plans after financial market stress.
- Avoid large abrupt tariff hikes because they can quickly destabilize markets and inflation expectations.





