Wall Street Week

This week, Chrystia Freeland talks with the former finance ministers of the Netherlands and Germany about what it takes to bring spending under control. And, are US deficits now a bigger driver of interest rates than inflation? Plus, as Fed Chair Kevin Warsh makes his debut at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, we revisit the story of the wealthiest place in America. Later, the rise of YouTube filmmakers is democratizing discovery, while also flooding the market with more content than audiences can watch.
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This week, Former IBM CEO Sam Palmisano discusses why companies may benefit from having a “Plan B” for AI implementation. And, AI may not be causing mass layoffs yet, but early data suggest it is already slowing wage growth in exposed occupations.Plus, Canada may have dodged Trump’s newest tariffs, but the deal could leave lasting damage to USMCA, North American manufacturing and trust between two longtime allies. Later, who pays when the Colorado River can no longer meet the West’s demand?
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This week, inflation may be edging lower, but as markets push rates higher, the Fed’s 2% inflation target might be a long way off. And, Mexico is building a land-based trade corridor that could give shipping companies more options when traditional channels are disrupted. Plus, as exits slow and borrowing costs rise, the ability of private equity investments to generate returns that beat public markets is less certain. Later, Cuba is promising its biggest market reforms in decades, but investors remain skeptical that the state will truly give up control.
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This is a special, fan favorite edition of the show. This episode first aired June 5th, 2026.
This week, the dollar remains the world’s dominant currency, but economist Ken Rogoff thinks rising debt and geopolitical shifts are eroding its position as the world’s reserve currency. And, AI-powered search is reducing web traffic, forcing publishers to rethink how they attract audiences and generate revenue online. Will competition between the US and China to launch satellites create the next major infrastructure boom in the commercial space industry? Bolivia wants to benefit from foreign capital flows into Latin America and harness its mineral reserves, but political instability remains a significant challenge.
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This week, Harvard professor and former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman discusses the Fed rate decision and the challenges facing Chairman Kevin Warsh. Plus, the European Union is rewriting its merger rules in a bid to create tech giants that can compete with America. Later, Johnson & Johnson entered the fast-growing robotic surgery race years behind its rivals, but it’s betting a different approach can still win. And, what do think tanks actually accomplish, and how do you measure the return on investing in ideas?
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