Bannon’s War Room: Episode 4479 – The Strategic Decoupling
Release Date: May 12, 2025

In Episode 4479 of Bannon’s War Room, hosted by Steve Bannon and produced by WarRoom.org, the discussion centers around the United States' strategic economic maneuvers to decouple from China, the implications of the Vatican's clandestine agreements with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and the broader impacts of the BRICS summit on the global economy. The episode features insights from economic strategists, political analysts, and commentators Jack Posobiec and Scott Besson, offering a comprehensive analysis of shifting geopolitical landscapes and their ramifications for the American economy and global power structures.

1. Strategic Decoupling from China

Scott Besson initiates the conversation by elucidating China's "dual circulation" economic strategy. He emphasizes that this strategy is not merely about balancing exports with domestic consumption but avoiding overproduction that could flood global markets, thereby undermining local producers worldwide.

"Dual circulation means export and domestic use. It cannot mean that China overproduces and that only Chinese goods are consumed in China and then they export the excess to the rest of the world."
— Scott Besson [00:00]

Besson highlights the challenges posed by high tariff rates and the embargo on Chinese goods, which may otherwise "leak" into global markets at discounted prices, thus undercutting local industries in other countries. He stresses the importance of “strategic decoupling”—a targeted approach focusing on critical industries rather than a blanket separation from China.

Steve Bannon builds on Besson’s points, detailing the administration's tariff strategy aimed at exerting economic pressure on China. He outlines the current tariff structure, which imposes a cumulative 50% tariff on Chinese products—a combination of 20% from the Trump era and an additional 30% introduced by the current administration.

"The tariffs as structured now are 50% on Chinese products. How do I get to that math? Quite simple. 20% from Trump's first term... and ... he brought those down to 10%... you add that up, it's 50%."
— Steve Bannon [01:37]

Bannon underscores the severe strain these tariffs place on China’s economy, citing the $1.2 trillion annual trade deficit and the detrimental effects on China’s real estate, banking, and manufacturing sectors. He argues that this strategic decoupling is not about severing all economic ties with China but about isolating and retracting from sectors deemed strategically necessary, such as steel, critical medicines, and semiconductors.

"We do not want a generalized decoupling from China, but ... what we do want is a decoupling for strategic necessities."
— Scott Besson [00:00]

2. The Vatican-China Deal

The conversation shifts to the controversial Vatican-China agreement, where the Vatican allegedly entered into a covert arrangement with the CCP to allow Chinese authorities to select bishops, thereby exerting influence over the Catholic Church in China.

Steve Bannon criticizes this deal vehemently, suggesting it undermines religious autonomy and represents a significant compromise by the Vatican.

"The Vatican has a secret deal with the Chinese Communist Party. They're taking cash money from the CCP to allow the CCP and the PLA to select bishops."
— Steve Bannon [10:28]

Jack Posobiec provides a detailed account of the conclave that led to the election of Pope Leo, accusing the Holy See of orchestrating the selection to secure financial stability amidst declining donations.

"The Vatican is broke... They need the big donors to come back. So what did they do? They got a guy in Peru who was born in Chicago... He's going to be Bergoglio's absolute lineage on what he's trying to execute."
— Jack Posobiec [16:47]

Posobiec further elaborates on how the Vatican’s financial struggles necessitated this agreement with China, arguing that it reflects a broader pattern of elite manipulation and corruption aimed at sustaining institutional power at the expense of ethical and autonomous governance.

"This was more rigged and more thought through... It's more rigged than the stolen election of President Trump in 2020."
— Jack Posobiec [15:00]

3. BRICS Summit and the Future of the US Dollar

The episode transitions to the looming BRICS summit scheduled for July in Rio de Janeiro, dubbed the "Rio Reset." This summit represents a critical juncture for emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to coordinate efforts to diminish the dominance of the US dollar in global trade.

Although initially presented through an advertisement by Mike Lindell, the implications of the Rio Reset are significant and align with the broader theme of challenging established Western economic hegemony.

Steve Bannon emphasizes the pivotal nature of the summit, suggesting that the actions taken by BRICS nations could lead to a substantial decline in the global reliance on the US dollar, thereby weakening the established financial order that has underpinned American economic supremacy.

"The BRICS objectives move decisively from a theoretical possibility towards inevitable reality. Diversifying your savings into gold is right for you."
— Mike Lindell [12:31]

While the segment primarily serves as an advertisement, it underscores concerns about the sustainability of the US dollar and the potential shift towards a multipolar global economy where emerging powers assert greater influence over international financial systems.

4. Global Political Dynamics and Domestic Implications

Jack Posobiec and Steve Bannon also delve into the interconnectedness of global political events, including the elections in Romania and Poland, and their relevance to NATO's strategic positioning vis-à-vis Ukraine. Posobiec highlights the rise of populist nationalism in these nations, drawing parallels to the populist surge in the United States under Trump’s influence.

"Globalism is the face of all of this. That's the system we're trying to break... That is the underpinning of the globalist party."
— Jack Posobiec [26:06]

The discussion extends to the potential constitutional crisis in the United States, citing ongoing debates over federal spending, tax reforms, and the challenges posed by an expanding federal bureaucracy. Bannon warns of the increasing influence of Marxist ideologies within the judiciary and legislative branches, advocating for a robust response to preserve constitutional integrity.

"This is the convergence of the crises... We are hurtling towards a constitutional crisis which must be resolved by the end of June."
— Steve Bannon [19:40]

5. Economic Warfare and Future Projections

The episode concludes with a focus on economic warfare as a fundamental component of the broader conflict described as the "Third World War." Bannon and Posobiec argue that economic strategies—including tariffs, trade negotiations, and shifting alliances—are as crucial, if not more so, than military interventions in determining the outcome of global power struggles.

"We're going to take down the CCP."
— Steve Bannon [27:21]

They assert that the restructuring of global trade relationships and the protection of key American industries are essential to maintaining economic sovereignty and countering the influence of adversarial powers like China and Russia.

Conclusion

Episode 4479 of Bannon’s War Room presents a critical examination of the United States' strategic efforts to recalibrate its economic and geopolitical stance in the face of rising global challenges. Through incisive analysis and expert commentary, the episode underscores the importance of targeted economic policies, the ramifications of clandestine international agreements, and the shifting dynamics of global power structures. For listeners seeking an in-depth understanding of the complex interplay between domestic policies and international relations, this episode provides a thought-provoking and comprehensive perspective.

Notable Quotes:

1. Scott Besson [00:00]:
   "Dual circulation means export and domestic use. It cannot mean that China overproduces and that only Chinese goods are consumed in China and then they export the excess to the rest of the world."

2. Steve Bannon [01:37]:
   "The tariffs as structured now are 50% on Chinese products. How do I get to that math? Quite simple... that's the pressure."

3. Steve Bannon [10:28]:
   "The Vatican has a secret deal with the Chinese Communist Party. They're taking cash money from the CCP to allow the CCP and the PLA to select bishops."

4. Jack Posobiec [16:47]:
   "The Vatican is broke... They need the big donors to come back. So what did they do? They got a guy in Peru who was born in Chicago."

5. Jack Posobiec [26:06]:
   "Globalism is the face of all of this. That's the system we're trying to break... That is the underpinning of the globalist party."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights shared in Episode 4479, providing a clear and structured overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.