Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
This week on Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the role of tariffs in the world economy, Tesla’s positioning in the Chinese market, and economic strategies that the U.S. may need to implement to remain competitive in global trade. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite netsuite.com/102 and download your own customized KPI checklist.
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Check out Erik's new show Request for Startups featuring a rotating cast of founders and investors (including Dan) sharing their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. The first episode is out now - we over better dating apps, references as a service, and WeWork for productivity
* Watch and Subscribe on Substack: requestforstartups.substack.com/p/receipt-based-dating-reference-checks
* Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/request-for-startups-with-erik-torenberg/id1728659822
* Spotify:open.spotify.com/show/739L1LR32QI2XyoZlRh5nv
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➕ We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.
Sponsors: NETSUITE
💫 NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite netsuite.com/102 and download your own customized KPI checklist.
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📈Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
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✍️ LINKS:
- Noahpinion “Tariffs are coming” on Substack: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/tariffs-are-coming
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X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@noahpinion (Noah)
@Econ102_Podcast (Econ 102)
@TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Episode Preview
(01:57) Trade Policies
(05:37) The Impact of Tariffs
(07:49) The Future of the U.S. Car Industry
(10:22) The Limitations of Tariffs
(13:30) SPONSOR: NETSUITE
(19:30) The Parallels Between Ford and Musk
(27:02) Elon Musk vs China
(30:20) Power Dynamics in China
(32:00) Europe's Role in the Global Market
(34:26) China's Currency Manipulation
(40:01) The Need for Industrial Policy
(47:40) The Role of Tariffs in Trade
(49:58) The Future of U.S. and China Relations
(51:23) The Need for Bold Leadership
Music license:
FJND3RFFBNJVAY3S
This week on Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the role of tariffs in the world economy, Tesla’s positioning in the Chinese market, and economic strategies that the U.S. may need to implement to remain competitive in global trade. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite netsuite.com/102 and download your own customized KPI checklist.
_
Check out Erik's new show Request for Startups featuring a rotating cast of founders and investors (including Dan) sharing their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. The first episode is out now - we over better dating apps, references as a service, and WeWork for productivity
* Watch and Subscribe on Substack: requestforstartups.substack.com/p/receipt-based-dating-reference-checks
* Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/request-for-startups-with-erik-torenberg/id1728659822
* Spotify:open.spotify.com/show/739L1LR32QI2XyoZlRh5nv
_
➕ We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.
Sponsors: NETSUITE
💫 NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite netsuite.com/102 and download your own customized KPI checklist.
–
📈Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
–
✍️ LINKS:
- Noahpinion “Tariffs are coming” on Substack: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/tariffs-are-coming
–
X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@noahpinion (Noah)
@Econ102_Podcast (Econ 102)
@TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Episode Preview
(01:57) Trade Policies
(05:37) The Impact of Tariffs
(07:49) The Future of the U.S. Car Industry
(10:22) The Limitations of Tariffs
(13:30) SPONSOR: NETSUITE
(19:30) The Parallels Between Ford and Musk
(27:02) Elon Musk vs China
(30:20) Power Dynamics in China
(32:00) Europe's Role in the Global Market
(34:26) China's Currency Manipulation
(40:01) The Need for Industrial Policy
(47:40) The Role of Tariffs in Trade
(49:58) The Future of U.S. and China Relations
(51:23) The Need for Bold Leadership
Music license:
FJND3RFFBNJVAY3S






![Tech Maturity and What Lies Ahead
This week on ECON 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the differentiation between technology and tech as an investment category, the future of AI, potential profitability of AI companies, and the challenges faced by VC investors in the AI space.
🔥 Apply to join over 400 Founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj
RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHist
Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913
YouTube: @History102-qg5oj
SPONSORS: NETSUITE | BABBEL | WORKOS
More than 37,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If youre looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: netsuite.com/102
🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://get.babbel.com/eg_podcast_flags_ame_usa-en?bsc=podcast-econ102&btp=default&u[…]oad&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=econ102&utm_term=generic_v1
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
LINKS:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
Some thoughts on the future of the tech industry: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/some-thoughts-on-the-future-of-the
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:23) State of technology: Optimism vs. realism
(07:18) Consumer social and the limits of innovation
(11:10) Role of AI in education and healthcare
(18:35) Sponsors: NetSuite
(19:14) Impact of incumbents on innovation
(24:02) Future of e-commerce and remote work
(30:26) Sponsor: WorkOS | Babbel
(32:52) Future of AI in venture capital
(36:11) Economic impacts of AI adoption
(40:50) Challenges in AI profitability
(43:31) Role of big tech in AI
(50:26) Political shifts in the tech industry
(01:03:08) Wrap Tech Maturity and What Lies Ahead](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/E015NcNjrd4/mqdefault.jpg)



