Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
In this episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the strategic and economic stakes of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, arguing that the US would likely intervene due to a probable preemptive attack on its military bases rather than to defend democracy or economic interests, while also exploring supply chain diversification, government support for small businesses, and broader geopolitical implications.
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FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
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RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:20) Implications of a China-Taiwan conflict
(01:15) China's strategic calculations
(03:48) Preparing for potential conflict
(05:19) Diversifying supply chains
08:05 Role of small businesses and government
(08:15) Sponsors: Netsuite | Found
(10:36) Outro
In this episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the strategic and economic stakes of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, arguing that the US would likely intervene due to a probable preemptive attack on its military bases rather than to defend democracy or economic interests, while also exploring supply chain diversification, government support for small businesses, and broader geopolitical implications.
–
SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: netsuite.com/102
Found
Found provides small business owners tools to track expenses, calculate taxes, manage cashflow, send invoices and more. Open a Found account for free at found.com/econ102
–
SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
–
FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
–
RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
–
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:20) Implications of a China-Taiwan conflict
(01:15) China's strategic calculations
(03:48) Preparing for potential conflict
(05:19) Diversifying supply chains
08:05 Role of small businesses and government
(08:15) Sponsors: Netsuite | Found
(10:36) Outro









![Kamala/Trump Policy Discussion: Housing, Immigration, Tariffs
In today’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg explore the the policies of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, complexities of housing affordability and wealth storage, challenges in immigration policies, and critique the effectiveness of tariffs.
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
LINKS:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
Harris has the right idea on housing: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/harris-has-the-right-idea-on-housing
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:48) Discussing housing policy
(05:53) Singapores housing model
(10:54) Kamala Harris housing plan
(12:32) Federal vs. Local housing regulations
(14:32) Grocery store price gouging debate
(22:28) Mass deportation policies
(24:23) Sponsors: WorkOS | Babbel
(26:51) Illegal Immigration
(31:58) Economic impact of immigration
(37:12) Cultural disruptions from immigration
(43:37) Tariffs and trade policies
(49:35) Republican focus on immigration
(57:31) Export controls and Chinese chip industry
(01:00:29) Wrap Kamala/Trump Policy Discussion: Housing, Immigration, Tariffs](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qbtlWg5_xjA/mqdefault.jpg)
