This episode explores the impact of President Trump's newly imposed tariffs on the automotive industry. Against the backdrop of Trump's "Liberation Day" announcement of reciprocal tariffs and a 25% levy on imported vehicles, the discussion pivots to an analysis of the winners and losers. More significantly, the interview reveals that the US is actually a stringent nation regarding tariffs, contrary to Trump's claims, with examples provided of higher US tariffs compared to those imposed by other countries. The conversation then delves into the valuation of Elon Musk's xAI and X, exposing the use of accounting tricks to inflate perceived value. For instance, the all-stock deal between xAI and X is shown to be a red herring, with no actual cash exchanged. As the discussion shifts to OpenAI's massive funding round and $300 billion valuation, the host expresses his bullish outlook, contrasting this with a guest's more cautious prediction. Finally, the interview concludes with a broader discussion of the EV market, highlighting the success of BYD, the challenges faced by legacy automakers, and the uncertainties surrounding the future of companies like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid, emphasizing the complex interplay of technological innovation, political influence, and global economic factors.
