6 chapters across the catalog
China continues to purchase Iranian oil using the Renminbi to bypass U.S. dollar-based sanctions. These transactions are facilitated by a "shadow fleet" of tankers that operate outside of Western insurance and docking regulations. While the U.S. has begun sanctioning these private refineries, China has signaled it will not recognize the American restrictions.
Chinese Economic Crash, Deflation, Wales Basic Income
Financial analysts predict a potential crash in the Chinese economy by the third quarter of 2022, which could "spew deflation" globally as commodity demand drops. In Wales, a basic income pilot program has been announced, providing £1,600 per month to young people leaving the care system. The hosts discuss the inflationary risks of such programs and the historical failure of "make-work" jobs in the Soviet era.
City of London, Chinese Currency and President Xi Visit
During a state visit to the UK, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a banquet in the City of London, a separate city-state within the UK capital. The visit focused on establishing London as a leading offshore center for trading the Chinese currency, the renminbi. The hosts discuss the "shadow government" nature of the City of London and suggest that global financiers are looking for alternatives to the U.S. dollar.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, China Economic Risks
The rise of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is framed as China's move toward establishing the renminbi as a global reserve currency. This development follows the U.S. failure to ratify IMF reforms. However, reports of defaulting trust companies and manipulated economic data suggest significant underlying risks in the Chinese financial system.
China is seeking to include the renminbi in the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket, a move supported by the British government's decision to issue renminbi-denominated bonds. The Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF), led by David Marsh, refers to the elite group of reserve currencies as the "Magic Circle."
Derivatives Rules, Basel III, and Chinese Currency Hubs
Bloomberg reports that international banking standards (Basel III) have been softened, representing a victory for big banks dealing in the $300 trillion derivatives market. Simultaneously, Frankfurt has established itself as a major trading hub for the Chinese Renminbi (RMB). The hosts discuss the ongoing shift away from the US dollar as the sole global reserve currency and the rise of Chinese financial influence in Europe.
