# GM102: China Built a Trap. Germany Set It. America Fell In. Europe Is Next ft. Michael Pettis

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/top-traders-unplugged-761537/gm102-china-built-a-trap-germany-set-it-america-fell-in-europe-is-next-ft-michael-pettis
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/top-traders-unplugged-761537/gm102-china-built-a-trap-germany-set-it-america-fell-in-europe-is-next-ft-michael-pettis.md
Podcast: [Top Traders Unplugged](https://stenobird.com/podcast/top-traders-unplugged-761537)
Published: 2026-06-17T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://localhost:8888/TopTradersUnplugged/ttu-2021/homepage/gm102-the-coming-trade-reckoning-and-why-europe-may-be-unprepared-ft-michael-pettis
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ffc56082-94a9-469d-9d89-f69803853ab8.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/top-traders-unplugged-761537/episodes/gm102-china-built-a-trap-germany-set-it-america-fell-in-europe-is-next-ft-michael-pettis
Duration seconds: 4999

## Resource

Michael Pettis joins Alan Dunne for a wide ranging conversation on trade imbalances, globalization and the future of the world economy. Drawing on decades of research into China, Europe and financial history, Pettis argues that persistent trade surpluses are ultimately rooted in domestic income imbalances rather than national competitiveness. The discussion explores why China struggles to rebalance, why Europe may face its biggest challenge yet, and how US reindustrialization could reshape global trade. From Bretton Woods to modern tariffs, this episode offers a provocative framework for understanding the forces driving the next phase of the global economy. ----- 50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE ----- Follow Niels on Twitter , LinkedIn , YouTube or via the TTU website . IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written  here . And you can get a free copy of my latest book “ Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio ” here . Learn more about the Trend Barometer here . Send your questions to  info@toptradersunplugged.com And please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on  iTunes  or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast. Follow Alan on LinkedIn. Follow Michael on X. Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Michael Pettis warns that the real trade reckoning may still lie ahead 01:07 - Introduction to Michael Pettis and his background in finance and economics 06:34 - Why trade imbalances are ultimately driven by income imbalances 09:59 - Germany’s Hartz reforms and the roots of European imbalances 17:22 - Competitiveness versus productivity and the h…

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