The Greenfield Report with Henry R. Greenfield

Henry R. Greenfield
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The Greenfield Report with Henry R. Greenfield

Welcome to "The Greenfield Reportwith Henry R. Greenfield," where 50+ years of world travels across 10 countries shape insightful takes on current geopolitical events. Join Robert for eye-opening global reports with practical local solutions, and enjoy guest appearances offering fresh perspectives. Embark on a journey of understanding and lively discussion.

  1. 3D AGO

    Episode 22- Trump's Tariffs and the Future of Free Markets with Dr. Dan Mitchell

    Dr. Dan Mitchell, a leading advocate for limited government and free markets, pulls no punches in this eye-opening discussion about the precarious state of the global economy. As president of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity, Mitchell brings decades of expertise to bear on pressing issues that threaten American prosperity and stability. The conversation begins with an unflinching assessment of Trump's trade policies, which Mitchell characterizes as creating dangerous uncertainty in global markets. "Sometimes he puts tariffs on, sometimes he takes them off... clearly we're moving in a protectionist direction. The only debate is how far and how fast we'll degenerate." Mitchell challenges Trump's fundamental belief that trade deficits indicate America is "losing," explaining how America's purchasing power actually reflects economic strength rather than weakness. More alarming than trade disruptions is what Mitchell identifies as an approaching fiscal crisis driven by demographic realities. With aging populations and declining birth rates across developed nations, current entitlement systems become mathematically unsustainable. "Europe is 10 to 15 years farther down the road toward bigger government and demographic problems than the US," he explains, warning that America could face a Greek-style financial collapse without serious reforms to Medicare and Medicaid. The discussion turns to America's dysfunctional healthcare system, where Mitchell pinpoints the root problem: third-party payment. With 90% of healthcare spending covered by someone other than the consumer at point of service, price sensitivity disappears, allowing costs to spiral upward unchecked. Mitchell highlights how sectors where consumers pay directly—like cosmetic surgery—see stable or declining prices, demonstrating market efficiency when allowed to function. On China, Mitchell reflects on Washington's dramatic shift from optimism to suspicion over the past two decades. As someone who still regularly visits China to teach and engage with officials, he offers nuanced insights about Xi Jinping's regression from economic liberalization and what it means for global stability. Perhaps most intriguing is Mitchell's advocacy for Swiss-style decentralization as a solution to American polarization. By allowing states greater autonomy and reducing federal control, Mitchell believes America could foster greater social cohesion despite its diversity. Listen now to understand the economic forces shaping our world and discover pragmatic, freedom-oriented approaches to securing prosperity for future generations. Support the show

    50 min

  2. JUN 9

    Episode 21- No One Is Afraid of Trump Anymore: America's Declining Global Influence

    The world is watching America with growing concern as Trump's second term unfolds with diminishing global influence. Despite domestic policy victories, international leaders increasingly ignore presidential demands while pursuing their own agendas without fear of meaningful consequences. This episode of The Greenfield Report provides an unvarnished assessment of America's declining international stature four months into Trump's second presidency. While the administration celebrates domestic wins and distracts with controversies, Putin continues bombing Ukrainian cities, Netanyahu proceeds with military operations in Gaza despite civilian casualties, and Gulf states extract concessions while offering token gestures in return. The economic impact of these failed policies cannot be overstated. A 15% decline in the dollar's value, reduced foreign investment, and a 14% drop in tourism signal a troubling trend. Perhaps most alarming is the emerging brain drain, as international students who contribute an estimated $80 billion to the American economy increasingly choose alternative destinations like the UK and Canada. Research institutions face funding cuts and talent shortages that threaten America's innovation leadership. Meanwhile, the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to counter what CBS reported as "a few dozen" protesters in Los Angeles raises serious questions about proportionality and priorities. Defense Secretary Hegseth's statement about readiness to deploy Marines further fuels concerns about the militarization of domestic law enforcement. Subscribe to The Greenfield Report for continued analysis of how America's changing role affects global stability and what these shifts mean for our collective future. Your understanding of these complex dynamics has never been more essential than in today's rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. Support the show

    25 min

  3. MAY 30

    Episode 20- Supply Chain Evolution: Past, Present, and Green Future

    The global supply chain is undergoing a seismic shift, and few understand these changes better than Jean-François Rey, a veteran consultant who's advised the world's most prestigious firms including PricewaterhouseCooper and Arthur Anderson. Speaking from his home in southern France, Rey offers a masterclass in how international trade actually works—and why everything we thought we knew is changing. Most people associate supply chains with simple logistics, but Rey reveals the extraordinary complexity beneath the surface: approximately 250 different job roles spanning sourcing, production, warehousing, transportation, and customer service. What began as a quest for cheaper labor has evolved into intricate networks where components cross multiple borders before reaching consumers. Today, these established patterns face unprecedented disruption from tariff policies, sustainability demands, and geopolitical tensions. Trump's proposed tariffs represent more than just a political statement—they're fundamentally altering global trade flows. Drawing from his experience with major retailers like Decathlon, Rey explains why 10% tariffs might be manageable through optimization, but 50% tariffs force companies to abandon entire markets. As Chinese manufacturers pivot toward Europe, seeking alternatives to the American market, European businesses face new competitive pressures while developing strategies for greater self-sufficiency. Perhaps most surprising is Rey's passionate case for "green supply chains." Contrary to the narrative that environmental considerations hurt competitiveness, slowing down supply chains can actually reduce costs while benefiting the planet. By optimizing transportation, relocating production closer to consumers, and embracing reasonable lead times, companies can minimize inventory costs and carbon emissions simultaneously. This approach aligns perfectly with changing consumer preferences, particularly among younger generations committed to sustainability. Whether you're a business leader navigating today's challenging landscape or simply curious about how global trade affects everyday life, this episode provides invaluable insights into the hidden forces reshaping our world. Subscribe now to explore more geopolitical perspectives that go beyond the headlines. Support the show

    49 min

  4. MAY 27

    Episode 19- The Three-Legged Stool: Trump's Plan to Become the Richest Man in the World.

    What happens when an economic vision serves the ultra-wealthy while shifting costs to average Americans? In this eye-opening episode, Henry R. Greenfield dissects Trump administration's "three-legged stool" economic strategy and reveals how it fundamentally reshapes American economic priorities and global relationships. Greenfield takes listeners deep into Treasury Secretary Scott Besant's economic framework, exposing how tariffs function not as penalties on foreign nations, but as consumption taxes paid by American consumers and businesses. Despite the administration's claims, these tariffs have already contributed to a 20% drop in US exports while creating market volatility through inconsistent application. The conversation pivots to examine corporate reinvestment pressures, where Trump's approach differs dramatically from Biden's record-setting foreign direct investment achievements. Rather than strategic government investment in sectors like semiconductor manufacturing, Trump combines threats and incentives to pressure corporations – expecting them to absorb tariff costs while simultaneously offering them massive tax cuts. Most revealing is Greenfield's analysis of the third leg – tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy – which represents the true core of Trump's economic vision. Combined with reduced IRS enforcement capabilities, these policies create a windfall for the wealthy while potentially exploding the federal deficit. All while shifting America's geopolitical focus toward oil-rich Gulf states that provide both cheap oil and limitless investment capital. The implications are profound. This economic model accelerates wealth inequality while pivoting American foreign policy toward transactional relationships based on financial benefit rather than shared democratic values. Could this strategy make Trump the world's first trillionaire president? Listen now and judge for yourself. Support the show

    28 min

  5. MAY 12

    Episode 17- Three Empires and Europe's Uncertain Future: Navigating Challenges 80 Years After WWII

    Europe stands at a crossroads 80 years after the end of World War II, facing three existential challenges from China, Russia, and America that threaten its sovereignty and way of life. The continent must decide whether to step up and protect its democracies or allow external powers to determine its future as the post-American century unfolds. • Xi Jinping's economic invasion of Europe through countries like Hungary threatens European industries • China is flooding Europe with cheap exports as US tariffs block access to American markets • Trump and America represent a second challenge as NATO weakens and US support becomes unreliable • Putin's Russia poses the third and most direct military threat, particularly through the invasion of Ukraine • European nations enjoy their extensive benefits and vacations while reluctant to increase defense spending • Germany and other countries must transition from American dependence to self-sufficiency • Europe faces an inflection point where it must evolve or risk becoming "a permanent open-air museum" • The next few years will determine if Europeans can overcome internal divisions to present a unified front • Historical patterns show Europe's tendency to react too late to existential threats Will Europe step up to meet these challenges, or will they sink into irrelevance and domination by these three powers? If they fail to decide, the future for Europe's children and the continent will reflect this moment when they did not move decisively to take control of their destiny. Support the show

    52 min

  6. MAY 5

    Episode 16- America's Shrinking Global Footprint Under Trump

    The global chess board is being dramatically reshaped, and America's position as the dominant player is rapidly diminishing. Trump's second administration has launched what can only be described as a systematic withdrawal from global leadership across multiple domains, creating what critics have termed "MASA" - Make America Small Again. The evidence is mounting across every sector of global influence. Trump's supposed war on "woke" institutions has morphed into a broad assault on American research and innovation, triggering an unprecedented brain drain as European countries openly recruit U.S. scientists who feel unwelcome in their homeland. This exodus of intellectual capital threatens to derail America's technological edge for generations to come. Meanwhile, the economic consequences are already visible. Boeing faces the cancellation of hundreds of aircraft orders as retaliatory tariffs make American products uncompetitive. Tourism is plummeting as foreign visitors encounter hostile border policies, including invasive searches of personal devices. Agricultural exports, long a cornerstone of American trade, are collapsing as farmers lose access to international markets. Even in energy, where America briefly gained advantage through LNG exports to Europe, Trump's fossil fuel fixation ignores the reality that global oil prices have dropped below the threshold of U.S. profitability. Most concerning is China's resurgence. While America retreats from innovation, research, and global markets, China has pivoted masterfully - maintaining political control while unleashing technological advancement. Their leap forward in electric vehicles exemplifies this approach, reimagining transportation while America clings to combustion engines. Traditional allies from Europe to Australia are recalibrating their relationships, no longer waiting for American leadership. Is this American decline deliberate or accidental? Project 2025 advocates appear satisfied with these developments, suggesting a conscious strategy to transform America from global hegemon to regional power. But in a world that continues to advance without us, can a smaller America ever truly be great again? The stakes couldn't be higher as we witness what may be the voluntary surrender of American exceptionalism. Support the show

    25 min

  7. APR 25

    Episode 15- America's Labor Dilemma: Guest Workers vs Trump's Plan

    Trump's recent proposal to remove illegal immigrants only to bring them back with stipends exposes a critical realization: America needs immigrant labor for jobs its citizens no longer want. Reporting from Monte Carlo, Henry Greenfield observes a microcosm of this reality – wealthy residents completely dependent on imported labor for essential services, mirroring America's reliance on immigrant workers for agriculture, construction, and other sectors abandoned during the Great Migration. The historical context proves illuminating. Nearly a century ago, Americans began abandoning agricultural labor as they migrated from Southern poverty to Northern factory jobs. This massive demographic shift created labor vacuums gradually filled by immigrants. Now, with former manufacturing hubs like Detroit reduced to a third of their former population, the remaining residents face challenges that make them unlikely candidates for field labor. Trump's belated acknowledgment of this reality signals a significant shift from his previous rhetoric about removing all undocumented workers. Global examples offer clear solutions. Countries including Canada, Australia, Hungary, and Israel maintain successful guest worker programs that balance economic needs with immigration control. Even nations with strict immigration policies and physical barriers implement these programs because they recognize economic necessity. A properly structured American guest worker program would offer multiple benefits: contributing $150-200 billion annually to Social Security and Medicare, reducing pressure on housing as workers would come without families, eliminating birthright citizenship concerns, and providing fair wages and conditions for essential workers. Ready to move beyond political theatrics and implement real solutions? Contact your representatives and demand a comprehensive guest worker program with proper enforcement mechanisms. The time has come for America to acknowledge both its labor requirements and sovereignty concerns with a practical approach that benefits the economy, American workers, and immigrants alike. What other issue could simultaneously shore up Social Security, end housing pressures, and create fair labor practices while solving our immigration challenges? Support the show

    24 min

  8. APR 18

    Episode 14- China, Tariffs, and Global Economy Shifts. Part 2 with Eric Hendriks

    Henry Greenfield welcomes Dr. Eric Hendriks for a penetrating analysis of the structural imbalances between Chinese and American economies, revealing why tariffs may be the wrong solution for addressing deep economic disparities. Drawing on insights from prominent economists like Michael Pettis and Ray Dalio, Dr. Hendriks exposes a fundamental contradiction in American economic strategy: the desire to maintain dollar dominance while simultaneously reindustrializing. This contradiction creates tensions that tariffs alone cannot resolve. The conversation thoughtfully explores how America's structural trade deficit necessarily coexists with the dollar's role as the global reserve currency, creating a cycle that benefits financial markets while challenging domestic manufacturing. The discussion takes a fascinating turn when examining Europe's position in this economic power struggle. Dr. Hendriks suggests that Trump's confrontational approach toward European allies has paradoxically strengthened Europe's economic independence, allowing nations like Hungary to pursue sovereign relationships with China without facing pressure to align completely with American trade policy. This rebalancing of global economic relationships could potentially alter the Western alliance structure for decades to come. Perhaps most sobering is Dr. Hendriks' assessment of China's comprehensive preparations regarding Taiwan, including diplomatic positioning, military readiness targeted for 2027, and intellectual frameworks justifying potential future actions. As American foreign policy undergoes significant shifts, the window for Chinese assertiveness may be widening in ways that demand careful attention. Whether you're concerned about global economic stability, the future of American manufacturing, European sovereignty, or peace in the Taiwan Strait, this episode provides essential context for understanding the complex interplay of forces shaping our world. What economic rebalancing might actually benefit both American workers and global stability? Listen now to expand your perspective beyond simplistic trade narratives. Support the show

    21 min
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4.9
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About

Welcome to "The Greenfield Reportwith Henry R. Greenfield," where 50+ years of world travels across 10 countries shape insightful takes on current geopolitical events. Join Robert for eye-opening global reports with practical local solutions, and enjoy guest appearances offering fresh perspectives. Embark on a journey of understanding and lively discussion.

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