The Economics Show
Financial Times
The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes is a new weekly podcast from the Financial Times packed full of smart, digestible analysis and incisive conversation. Soumaya Keynes digs deep into the hottest topics in economics along with a cast of FT colleagues and special guests. Come for the big ideas, stay for the nerdery.Soumaya Keynes is an economics columnist for the Financial Times. Prior to joining the FT she worked at The Economist for eight years as a staff writer, where as well as covering trade, the US economy and the UK economy she co-hosted the Money Talks podcast. She also co-founded the Trade Talks podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
67 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 30min
How China is fighting ‘involution’, with Yanmei Xie
Yanmei Xie, senior associate fellow and expert on Chinese political economy, explains China’s fierce export-driven competition. She outlines creeping deflation, collapsing profit margins and 'involution' as cutthroat price wars. Discussion covers local subsidies, AI and EV overcapacity, anti-involution measures like consolidation and centralised investment, and how export controls and Western pressure reshape supply chains.
86 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 33min
What an economist eats for lunch (in 2026), with Tyler Cowen
Tyler Cowen, economics professor and food writer, explores how immigration, labor rules and refrigeration shape what we eat. He discusses why tourism can harm cuisine, why cheap great food exists, and how scaling and supply chains limit culinary uniqueness. He predicts future shifts from immigration and diet drugs and offers practical tips for finding better lunches.
49 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 28min
How big a deal is the EU-India trade agreement? With Nicolas Köhler-Suzuki and Ajay Srivastava
Ajay Srivastava, former Indian trade negotiator and founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, and Nicolas Köhler-Suzuki, EU trade and economic security adviser, discuss the EU‑India trade deal. They explore its political signalling, tough negotiation points like cars, alcohol and procurement, sustainability and carbon clauses, unusual mobility rules, tariff wins for labour‑intensive Indian exports, and geopolitical implications for China diversification.
32 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 25min
The economy in 2026: What risks lie ahead? With Gita Gopinath
Gita Gopinath, former deputy managing director at the IMF and a Harvard economics professor, joins Martin Wolf to dissect the global economy's hidden complexities. They explore why stable growth numbers can be misleading and how AI investment is cushioning the impact of tariffs. Gita warns about the fragility of advanced economies facing high public debt and the looming threat of financial crises. The discussion also covers the future of the dollar and the potential risks posed by unregulated stablecoins and tight fiscal policies.
64 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 35min
How the Fed fights back, with Don Kohn
Don Kohn, a former vice-chair of the Federal Reserve and now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, discusses the alarming criminal probe into current Fed chair Jay Powell, calling it an unprecedented attack on Fed independence. Kohn examines Powell's strong response and the potential political fallout. He explores the dynamics of new Fed leadership, warning against politicization. Kohn also talks about the implications of AI on productivity and inflation, emphasizing the need for data-driven leadership to preserve the integrity of the Fed.
15 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 32min
How bad is America’s affordability crisis? With Mechele Dickerson
Mechele Dickerson, a law professor at the University of Texas and author of The Middle Class New Deal, dives into America’s affordability crisis. She rates it a nine, arguing that the middle-class dream is slipping away, rooted in trends dating back to the 1980s. Dickerson contrasts today's struggles with the easier paths of previous generations, revealing how stagnant wages push families into hidden debt. She advocates for a New Middle Class New Deal, emphasizing education reforms and local housing policies to revitalize economic security for all.
18 snips
Jan 2, 2026 • 27min
Behind The Money: How First Brands Group collapsed
Robert Smith, Corporate finance editor at the Financial Times, and Ortenca Aliaj, Banking editor at the Financial Times, dive into the shocking collapse of First Brands Group, a car parts supplier drowning in hidden debt. They discuss the dubious tactics of founder Patrick James and highlight Jefferies' role in the financing debacle. The duo raises alarms about the private credit market's vulnerabilities and the ramifications for financial institutions. With discussions on due diligence failures and regulatory concerns, the conversation uncovers the intricate web of risk in modern lending.
20 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 25min
Martin Wolf speaks to Christine Lagarde: Europe’s ‘existential crisis’
In a compelling discussion, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank and former IMF head, emphasizes the urgent need for dismantling internal trade barriers in Europe. She shares insights on how these barriers stifle innovation and productivity. Lagarde also highlights the importance of mobilizing excess savings through capital markets and advocates for a unified fiscal policy to boost investment and support defense. Additionally, she addresses the risks of stablecoins for monetary sovereignty and backs the development of a digital euro.
13 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 43min
The Wolf-Krugman Exchange: Power, plutocracy and political economy
Join Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman, who writes on inequality and public policy, as he teams up with Martin Wolf to untangle complex economic issues. They dive into critiques of globalization and rising plutocracy, exploring how institutions have altered inequality. The duo discusses the intricate relationship between wealth concentration and political power, the impact of healthcare costs on politics, and potential upheavals in China's economy. With sharp insights, they address the future of finance, defense spending in Europe, and AI's disruptive role in India.
46 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 42min
The Wolf-Krugman Exchange: America vs the world
Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate economist and Substack writer, joins FT's Martin Wolf to dissect the implications of the recent U.S. national security strategy. They discuss how the U.S. criticized Europe while downplaying threats from Russia, pushing 'patriotic' far-right politics. Krugman questions whether the U.S. truly prioritizes Latin America and explores whether Europe can achieve military and industrial independence. They also tackle the competitive landscape with China and how the U.S. inadvertently strengthens its rival.
