“Trump’s China Gambit Changes Everything”: The Oil Power Shift, Taiwan Tensions, and the New Economic Battlefield

On The Record with Christian Briggs · May 14, 2026 · 16m

In this wide-ranging interview, economist Christian Briggs breaks down the high-stakes economic and geopolitical implications of President Trump’s summit with China—arguing that the meeting could reshape trade, energy, and global power dynamics for years to come.

At the center of the discussion is the growing competition between the United States and China, particularly around trade, technology, rare earth minerals, and energy. Briggs explains that while China spent decades securing strategic resources around the world—through partnerships, investments, and trade agreements—the U.S. is now…