Insightview

Carsten Bonde Pedersen

Hvor er global politik og økonomi på vej hen - og hvad betyder det for din familie, din arbejdsplads, virksomheder og det samfund, som vi lever i? Vi får svar af eksperterne og ikke mindst dem, som befinder sig midt i det hele. Primære sprog: Dansk/Engelsk

  1. 24 NOV

    Interview with Jens Eskelund: Why is the EU's dependence on China increasing?

    In this podcast [min. 55 - English], Insightview asks Jens Eskelund to help navigate both the Chinese economic reality and Europe’s strategic dilemma regarding China. Jens Eskelund is President of the European Chamber of Commerce in China.  ‌‌ ‌Insightview asks Jens how he would describe the actual state of the Chinese economy behind the official data, including deflationary pressures, falling fixed investment, the government’s approach to the property sector, and the impact of rapid automation and AI on household sentiment. We also discuss why Europe’s de-risking remains so limited in practice, what structural barriers European companies face when trying to diversify, and whether Europe risks unintended consequences if it attempts to accelerate the process. Listen to the answer to “whether there are examples where the EU has managed to de-risk?” ‌‌ ‌China’s economy stands at a critical juncture, shaped by a widening gap between what the official data suggest and what underlying trends appear to reveal. On the surface, the country continues to post respectable headline growth and substantial export numbers. However, beneath that, the domestic economy looks significantly more fragile. Monetary data, investment trends and the deepening downturn in the property market all point to conditions that, had they appeared in the United States or the Eurozone, would almost certainly have triggered a return to quantitative easing. ‌ Against this backdrop, Europe is pursuing a strategy of de-risking its relationship with China. However, the reality on the ground differs from the political messaging. Despite rising geopolitical tensions and growing calls for strategic autonomy, European dependence on imported Chinese goods remains unchanged. Several sectors still rely heavily on Chinese components, materials, and technologies, and shifting supply chains have proved far slower and more complex than many policymakers anticipated. The widening gap between political ambition and practical outcomes makes it essential to understand why Europe has struggled to reduce its exposure. ‌ Jens Eskelund, who is also Chief Representative for A.P. Moller-Maersk in China, arrived in China in 1998. Jens lives with his family in Beijing. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and studied at Aarhus University in Denmark and the University of Texas at Austin. He has also studied Chinese at Renmin University in Beijing. Before joining Maersk in Beijing in 2000, Jens Eskelund served as Commercial Attaché at the Danish Embassy in China. See the related article here. ‌ ‌‌‌Music: Melodyloops, 'Pure Calmness – by MediaM ‌‌See all previous podcasts here: insightview.eu/podcast

    55 min
  2. 10 OCT

    Et smartere Europa: AI og robotteknologiens rolle - Interview m. Kasper Hallenborg, SDU’s Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Instituttet

    ‌I denne podcast taler Insightview med Kasper Hallenborg, leder af SDU’s Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institut i Odense – et internationalt anerkendt forskningsmiljø inden for robotteknologi, software og kunstig intelligens. Vi sætter fokus på udviklingen inden for AI og robotter – og i den sammenhæng også droner, som igen er blevet aktuelle efter en ”kapabel aktørs” ulovlige indtrængen på kritisk infrastruktur i Danmark og andre europæiske lande. ‌ Europa står i dag over for behovet for at blive mere uafhængig af både Kina og USA. Kina er tæt forbundet med Rusland, og tilliden til USA er usikker. Krigen i Ukraine har samtidig skabt behov for en markant europæisk oprustning, hvilket øger efterspørgslen efter ressourcer – fra kapital til højtuddannet arbejdskraft. Det sker midt i en periode med kraftig demografisk modvind, der kræver langt mere effektiv ressourceudnyttelse for at undgå inflation. Med andre ord: produktiviteten skal op. ‌ Insightview taler med Kasper Hallenborg om, hvordan teknologien allerede bruges, hvilke erfaringer der er gjort, og hvor den kan anvendes fremover – blandt andet i forbindelse med, at nye danske flådefartøjer kan og bør bygges i Danmark, ifølge Kasper.  ‌ ‌Link til FT-artikel omtalt i podcasten, Tech shocks to industry have only just begun. Du kan finde mere på denne artikel. Music: Melodyloops, 'Pure Calmness – by MediaM ‌‌See all previous podcasts here: www.insightview.eu/podcast

    49 min
  3. 11 SEPT

    Interview with former White House adviser Mark Medish: US Foreign Policy - Isolationism, Imperialism or Bullying?

    In this podcast [min. 55 - English], Insightview has talked with Mark Medish. We discuss the consequences of Donald Trump’s foreign policy, which, in many respects, treats traditional allies worse than those who were once regarded as America’s enemies. Insightview asks Mark what President Trump aims to achieve with a foreign policy that is moving in multiple directions. What will it mean for the United States, and what are the consequences, in particular, for Europe? ‌ This podcast is a follow-up to a podcast interview conducted with Mark Medish on August 9, during which we discussed the domestic consequences of Donald Trump’s second presidential term.  ‌ ‌Mark Medish is an American lawyer and policy consultant with extensive experience in government and international affairs. During the Clinton Administration, he served at the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on the National Security Council, as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury. ‌ ‌Mark has also held senior roles at USAID and the United Nations Development Programme. He is currently Director and Vice Chair of Panterra, a strategic consultancy, and founder of Keep Our Republic, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to civic education and democratic governance. See the linked article here. ‌‌‌Music: Melodyloops, 'Pure Calmness – by MediaM ‌‌See all previous podcasts here: insightview.eu/podcast

    56 min
  4. 7 MAY

    Interview with Netcompany's CEO, André Rogaczewski: 'Stand Tall, Europe'. How do we do that?

    In this podcast [min. 30 - English], Insightview.eu has a conversation with André Rogaczewski, co-founder and CEO of Netcompany. ‌In a series of podcasts in 2025, Insightview has focused on European defence and the corporate sector's heavy dependence on technologies and infrastructure developed and controlled outside the continent, primarily in the United States. This needs to change. Insightview asks André Rogaczewski whether it is possible - and if so, how we can do it. ‌ André Rogaczewski has made no secret that "Europe must rise and stand united" in a time of historical uncertainty and external pressure on Western values. It must be based on "freedom and democracy", but these principles are now under pressure and require action, according to Rogaczewski [click here to read Netcompany’s open letter released on April 23: Europe must stand tall]. André Rogaczewski believes "technology has become a crucial battleground" where social development, economy and security require that Europe embraces the digital revolution. This requires European solutions, according to Rogaczewski.  André Rogaczewski, who holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Aalborg University, is also known for his involvement in various boards and councils. Since 2016, he has been chairman of the Confederation of Danish Industry's DI Digital and a member of the Digitalisation Council since 2022. André was born in Poland and grew up in Aalborg, Denmark. The 10 key points from André Rogaczewski's statements in the podcast: ‌ ‌1. Europe has the capabilities to lead its own digital future André Rogaczewski emphasises that Europe possesses strong companies, brilliant minds, and the necessary resources to assume responsibility for its digital development. ‌ 2. Europe is too dependent on non-European digital infrastructure Critical infrastructure such as cloud services, software applications, and AI algorithms are dominated by US firms, making Europe vulnerable. ‌3. Digital sovereignty requires both EU-level coordination and national initiatives While EU-wide standards and infrastructure (like giga AI factories) are essential, national efforts must also contribute. Coordination and standardisation are key to scalability. ‌4. Europe needs common digital ‘highways’ Shared systems like digital ID, AI assistants, and health data platforms are needed to enable cross-border innovation and services across the EU. ‌5. Public-private partnerships are essential to building digital infrastructure Large-scale projects like AI factories must be established with joint efforts between governments and private European companies. ‌6. European data must be stored and processed within Europe Core computing power and data must be based on European soil for security and sovereignty. US firms may participate, but under European terms. ‌7. Europe must demand more from global tech firms European customers should require data stored in Europe and applications to comply with European standards, including age verification and content moderation. ‌8. Hybrid warfare is a growing threat, both digital and physical Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and systemic vulnerabilities threaten Europe’s democracy and infrastructure. Europe needs tools to defend itself on both fronts. ‌9. A unified European digital identity is crucial A pan-European digital ID like the EU Digital Wallet would allow Europe to negotiate as one voice and create trusted digital ecosystems. ‌10. Europe must act faster and more concretely Political processes are too slow and abstract. Europe must shift from discussing principles to implementing real, irreversible, pan-European digital solutions — including a governance model for fast and scalable digital transformation. ‌‌ ‌‌‌Music: Melodyloops, 'Pure Calmness – by MediaM

    31 min
  5. 28 APR

    President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China: Torn between Washington and Beijing. EU's uncertain trade future

    In this podcast [min. 38 - English], Insightview discusses the impact on the EU-China relationship from the trade war triggered by the United States with Jens Eskelund. Jens Eskelund is President of the European Chamber of Commerce in China.  ‌‌ ‌The discussion centres on the escalating trade tensions between China and the United States, as well as the strategic dilemmas faced by the European Union. Jens Eskelund stresses that Europe must prioritise its long-term interests rather than reacting to align with either Washington or Beijing.  ‌ ‌Jens Eskelund highlights how China, despite suffering from significant overcapacity and economic challenges such as persistent producer price deflation, remains a global manufacturing powerhouse due to the success of its "Made in China 2025" strategy. Interestingly, Jens Eskelund also notes that Europe’s dependence on Chinese manufacturing is quietly increasing, despite Brussels' efforts to make the EU less dependent on China. ‌‌ Jens Eskelund, who is also Chief Representative for A.P. Moller-Maersk in China, arrived in China in 1998. Jens lives with his family in Beijing. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and studied at Aarhus University in Denmark and the University of Texas at Austin. He has also studied Chinese at Renmin University in Beijing. Before joining Maersk in Beijing in 2000, Jens Eskelund served as Commercial Attaché at the Danish Embassy in China. The 15 key points from Jens Eskelund's statements in the podcast: 1. **The EU must prioritise its own interests** Jens Eskelund stresses that the EU should focus on its strategic goals rather than reacting to pressure from the United States or China. 2. **China is better prepared for a trade war than in 2018** China has achieved greater technological autonomy and is more resilient than it was during Trump's first term, although it will still face economic challenges. 3. **Mixed results from Made in China 2025** The strategy turned China into the world's leading manufacturing power but also created extensive overcapacity and inefficiencies. 4. **The differentiated US tariff policy may fail** Eskelund suggests that rerouted trade flows could render the current American tariff strategy ineffective, potentially forcing a full-scale trade war. 5. **Trade war damages global growth** A US recession is likely a greater threat to global trade than tariffs themselves. 6. **Overcapacity and financing distortions in China** Massive state-driven financing, particularly to state-owned enterprises, has led to inefficient resource allocation and chronic overcapacity. 7. **China is now acknowledging its structural problems** The Chinese leadership is openly recognising economic distortions, though it remains overly focused on stimulating demand rather than adjusting production. 8. **Need to reform China's production model** China must better balance manufacturing output with domestic consumption to avoid ongoing pressure to over-export. 9. **Benefits of globalisation are diminishing** Economic and strategic costs now outweigh the advantages consumers gained from cheap Chinese goods. 10. **The US risks self-inflicted damage** Jens Eskelund notes that the American administration is becoming aware that its economy could suffer from prolonged trade conflict. 11. **China's economy is under considerable strain** Indicators such as declining fiscal revenue, rising debt, weak real estate markets, and stagnant wages show serious economic challenges for China in 2025. 12. **European companies are increasing sourcing from China** Despite lower profitability, many European firms are increasing their reliance on China's supply chain due to deflation and competitive pricing in China. 13. **Trade war strengthens nationalist sentiment in China** Public opinion in China increasingly sees the United States as an existential rival, bolstering support for the Communist Party. 14. **EU–China relations have become more complicated** It is unlikely that the 2020 Comprehensive Agreement on Investment will be revived without major changes addressing structural concerns. 15. **Europe must pursue strategic autonomy** Experience with the Trump administration has convinced Europe of the need to reduce dependence on both the US and China and rebuild its industrial capabilities. The article linked to this podcast is here. ‌ ‌‌‌Music: Melodyloops, 'Pure Calmness – by MediaM

    38 min
  6. 4 APR

    Interview m. tidligere NATO-ambassadør, Michael Zilmer-Johns: Hvordan skal Europa reagere overfor et uforudsigeligt USA? ‌

    I denne podcast [47 min.] har Insightview talt med tidligere topdiplomat og NATO-ambassadør, Michael Zilmer-Johns, om hvad Danmark og Europa skal gøre i forbindelse med, at det transatlantiske samarbejde er under pres, hvad angår det militære og handelsmæssige område. Det skyldes ikke mindst den amerikanske vicepræsident JD Vances tale på München Sikkerhedskonferencen, hvor den amerikanske vicepræsident uhørt blandede sig i den tyske valgkamp til fordel for det stærkt højreorienterede AfD – et parti, som også har fået støtte af Elon Musk. ‌‌ Efterfølgende udtalelser – ja, trusler overfor allierede - fra Det Hvide Hus viser med al tydelighed, set fra Insightview’s perspektiv, at Trump-administrationen ikke vil det godt for sine europæiske allierede. Det rejser spørgsmålet: Hvad nu Danmark – ja, hvad nu Europa?  ‌ Michael Zilmer-Johns, som stod bag rapporten ’Dansk sikkerhed og forsvar frem mod 2035’ - også kaldet 'Zilmer-rapporten – er i disse dage i gang med en opdatering af rapporten – dog som tilknyttet det Danske Forsvarsakademi. Michael Zilmer var Danmarks NATO-ambassadør i Bruxelles fra 2014 til 2018 og har i mange år været anvendt som udenrigspolitisk rådgiver. Link til linked artikel her. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌Music: Melodyloops, 'Rays of Success' – by Ihsan Dincer with Ihsan Dincer‌

    47 min

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Hvor er global politik og økonomi på vej hen - og hvad betyder det for din familie, din arbejdsplads, virksomheder og det samfund, som vi lever i? Vi får svar af eksperterne og ikke mindst dem, som befinder sig midt i det hele. Primære sprog: Dansk/Engelsk

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