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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Joe Rogan Says China 'On Verge of Passing' US in 'Many Areas'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Podcaster Joe Rogan has said China is "on the verge of passing" the United States in "many areas" such as drones and electric cars. Why It Matters Rogan, one of the world's most-listened-to podcasters, was discussing global affairs with comedian Jimmy Carr in a Joe Rogan Experience episode uploaded on May 23. His comments reflect a broader debate over the shifting global balance of power, as the U.S. and its allies navigate a world increasingly defined by competition with China. On top of this, global dynamics are shifting under Donald Trump's presidency, with concerns about opportunities for Beijing to woo U.S. allies in the face of Trump's tariffs and rhetoric about places like Greenland and the Panama Canal. Joe Rogan is seen during a weigh-in before UFC 211 on May 12, 2017, in Dallas. Joe Rogan is seen during a weigh-in before UFC 211 on May 12, 2017, in Dallas. AP What To Know Carr was talking about the American constitution, how it gives people agency and "the flourishing that's come out of it." "Look at what it's achieved," he said. "Imagine if something like that happens in China—imagine—in our lifetime that they go with a different system." He went on to compare China to a "covers band" saying it "has its own version of Facebook and its own version of Google." "What is it about America that allows this entrepreneurial spirit, that allows Silicon Valley to happen?" Carr asked. Rogan said: "Well they've got a very interesting approach because they still have a very entrepreneurial spirit as well. They've got a weird sort of merging of communism and capitalism. Like it's state-run capitalism." "But they still have insane innovation," he continued. "Like China's technological innovation is probably greater than ours—in a lot of areas. In the areas of electrical vehicles for sure. In the areas of drones for sure." Rogan went on to discuss China's "spectacular drone capabilities" and electric cars "you'd have no idea you don't follow these obscure car review people online that review Chinese electric cars." "Insane technology inside the vehicles, like spectacular-looking cars," Rogan said. "They're on the verge of passing us in many areas because there's a lot of regulation in regards to drone technology in particular in this country." What People Are Saying Donald Trump made similar comments about China and electric vehicles before the 2024 election: "China's eating our lunch right now," Trump said while criticizing what he considered a lack of tariffs imposed on China by former President Joe Biden. "We're losing," he said later talking about electric vehicles. "They're all gonna be made in China," he added. Robert D. Atkinson, founder of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a public policy think tank, wrote last September: "There may be no more important question for the West's competitive position in advanced industries than whether China is becoming a rival innovator. While the evidence suggests it hasn't yet taken the overall lead, it has pulled ahead in certain areas, and in many others Chinese firms will likely equal or surpass Western firms within a decade or so." What Happens Next The growing rivalry between the U.S. and China is likely to remain a central issue in global affairs, with potential flashpoints in trade, technology and geopolitics. It remains to be seen how Trump's tariff war and his changes to regulations in the United States will play into this.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
South Africa's President Could Use Golf Stars to Woo Trump
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to take South African golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen with him to his meeting with President Donald Trump. Ramaphosa will visit Trump, an avid golfer, at the White House on Wednesday amid high tensions between South Africa and the United States as they discuss points of contention, including trade between the two countries and the classification of Afrikaans people as refugees. Why It Matters The relationship between the two countries has made headlines recently over the U.S.'s assertion that Afrikaners in South Africa are victims of a "white genocide" who need refugee status, something Ramaphosa has denied. There are other flashpoints between the U.S. and South Africa, including South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its relationship with Russia, Iran and China. South Africa was placed under one of Trump's harshest tariff categories (31 percent) on Liberation Day. The tariff was reduced to 10 percent, but faces being hiked up again in July. Ramaphosa is in Washington to work on a new trade deal, one that he seemingly hopes golfers Els and Goosen will help to secure. President Donald Trump greets golfer Ernie Els at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, on October 1, 2017. President Donald Trump greets golfer Ernie Els at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, on October 1, 2017. AP What To Know Els and Goosen are expected to join Ramaphosa and Trump for their meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Els, who has won four of golf's major championships and has met and golfed with Trump, "was actually the person who was the driving force behind convincing U.S. President Donald Trump to meet with South Africa," South African billionaire Johann Rupert told News24. The White House said Rupert, who has known Trump since 1996, and South African-born Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk will attend the meeting. Goosen, who has won two U.S. Opens, will also be there, according to South African broadcaster eNCA. Trump requested that Rupert, Els and Goosen accompany Ramaphosa, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula told Newzroom Afrika. What People Are Saying South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters on May 17: "There's no genocide in South Africa. That is a fact that's borne out of a lot of evidence." "I'm not worried about anything. We're going there to discuss trade and our bilateral relations and that's what we're going to discuss," he said. "It's country to country and we trade with each other, so we have to relate to each other." "We are going to have good discussions on trade," he added. White House deputy chief of staff and Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller recently told reporters: "What's happening in South Africa fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created. This is race-based persecution. The refugee program is not intended as a solution for global poverty, and historically, it has been used that way." Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter: "South African President Ramaphosa is in Washington, DC, seeking a reset after President Trump repeatedly and rightly criticized South Africa for human rights violations and activities that undermine our national security. Ramaphosa is pivoting toward China and taking an aggressive position attacking Israel at the International Court of Justice, where he is pushing for precedents and policies that will not just undermine Israel but also expose American officials to vulnerabilities." "I have every confidence that President Trump will demand South African officials change their policies, and will hold them accountable if they don't," he added. What Happens Next Ramaphosa and the rest of his delegation will meet Trump at 11:30 a.m. for a working lunch before a bilateral meeting, which will include addressing the media at 12:45 p.m. South African media has voiced concerns that Ramaphosa may be walking into what the Daily Maverick has called a "Zelensky-style ambush," referring to the viral clash that took place when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House in February. But Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has said the government is "not worried about any potential hostile reception." "There is a level of decorum and courtesy that heads of states extend to one another," Magwenya added.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Mike Pence Reacts to Trump's Middle East Trip: 'Disappointed'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized his one-time boss, President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, saying he was "disappointed" in the itinerary for the first major foreign trip of Trump's second term. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email on Wednesday. The Context Trump is currently touring several Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. All three countries have pledged to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the U.S., purchase American-made weapons and do business with the Trump family. Qatar will also donate a $400 million luxury jet—described as a "palace in the sky"—to the United States. The jet will first be used as an updated Air Force One and later be transferred to Trump's presidential library foundation for his personal use after he leaves office. Trump's foreign trip to the Middle East does not include Israel, which immediately raised eyebrows among hawkish conservatives, like Pence, who say they're worried about the signal that could send to the U.S.'s longtime ally. Mike Pence listens as President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on December 6, 2017. Mike Pence listens as President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on December 6, 2017. Evan Vucci/AP What To Know Pence weighed in on Trump's itinerary Wednesday morning, telling reporters he was in Washington that he was "concerned" about Israel being excluded. "The combination of these things has got me concerned," Pence said. The "combination" refers to a number of recent developments, including the Trump administration's ongoing talks with Iran over its nuclear program, Trump's decision to pause offensive operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas' decision to release the last American hostage while keeping the remaining Israeli hostages captive. Pence told reporters he was "disappointed" that Trump's foreign trip doesn't include Israel, according to the National Review. The former vice president reposted the outlet's story on his comments on X (formerly Twitter). His comments on Wednesday followed a lengthy opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal, in which Pence said the second Trump administration is sending "troubling signs" on a host of domestic and foreign policy issues, including tariffs, the U.S.-Ukraine alliance and U.S. policy toward the Iranian regime. The former vice president compared the current talks between American and Iranian officials to what he described as the "failed nuclear deal" crafted by the Obama administration. Trump weighed in on the state of the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks while he was in Qatar Wednesday, saying: "The non-friendly [approach] is a violent course and I don't want have to get moving. They have to make that decision. It's their decision." Pence initially stayed in the background since his break with Trump during his first term, when Pence refused to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election. Trump's calls to stop the certification, which he billed as "Stop The Steal," culminated in the deadly January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, during which mobs of Trump supporters were heard calling to "hang Mike Pence." Pence congratulated his former boss when he won the 2024 presidential election despite their bitter falling out. The two men made headlines earlier this year when they shook hands at former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. But Pence has since rebuked Trump on a number of issues, including Trump's decision to pardon almost every January 6 rioter. "I was deeply disappointed to see President Trump pardon people that engaged in violence against law enforcement officers that day," Pence told CNN last week. "The president has every right under the Constitution to grant pardons, but in that moment, I thought it sent the wrong message." On tariffs, Pence said, "I do have concerns that, with the president's call for broad-based tariffs against friend and foe alike, that ultimately the administration is advancing policies that are not targeted at countries that have been abusing our trade relationship, but rather are essentially new industrial policy that will result in inflation, that will harm consumers, and that will ultimately harm the American economy." What People Are Saying Israeli analyst Shira Efron told Politico of Trump's trip to the Middle East: "He's going to the Arab countries and they're treating him like royalty. There's a Trump golf course, a hotel, a plane, all these things. It's a question of at what point do they want to use this economic leverage they have with him to ask him to please curb Israel in Gaza and Iran and stabilize the region?" Former Vice President Mike Pence told CNN last week: "Whatever the future holds for me, I'm going to try and be a consistent voice for those conservative values that I think are not only the right policy for the Republican Party, but I think they're the best way forward for a boundless future for the American people." What Happens Next Trump's tour through the Gulf states is still underway and is scheduled to wrap up by Friday.
