Podcast Episode Summary: De 7 – 12/01 | Week van de waarheid voor Groenland en Iran | Resultatenseizoen grootbanken | Pokémon-kaartrecord

Podcast: De 7
Host: Bert Rymen (De Tijd)
Guest Editorialist: Bart Haeck (select comments and analysis)
Date: January 12, 2026

Main Theme

This episode gives listeners a concise overview of seven key news stories to start the day, touching on geopolitical developments involving Greenland and Iran, the kickoff of the US and European banking earnings season, key pharma sector updates, major political economics (including Trump-Fed tensions), and an eye-opening record auction of a Pokémon card.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US-Greenland-Denmark Tensions and Diplomacy

• US Secretary Rubio is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland, heightening political sensitivity around US interests in the Arctic region.
• The episode replays a key remark from Donald Trump regarding negotiations:

  "I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way." (Donald Trump, [01:44])

• Commentary: The US wants more control or influence over Greenland, while Denmark is standing firm, as confirmed by Danish PM Mette Frederiksen's ongoing resistance ([02:20], Danish politics coverage).

2. Intensifying Unrest in Iran

• The coverage outlines continuous protests and violent crackdowns in Tehran, with hundreds reported affected.
• Regime hardliners remain entrenched, but opposition persists.[05:08]
• US commentary labels some Iranian actors as "terrorists and criminals" ([05:34])
• Trump’s posts on Truth Social are mentioned, taking a hard line on the situation ([05:39]).

3. World Economic Forum in Davos: Global Risks

• The global elite (CEOs of multinationals, top policymakers) gather at Davos to discuss world risks.
• The focus is on economic uncertainty, climate change, geopolitics, and technological disruption.

  "The risks for world economies now are more splintered: politics is fractured, authoritarianism is on the rise, and technology is changing the rules."
  (Economic Analyst, [07:45])

• Ongoing speculation about what new insights or agreements could come from this year’s forum.

4. Bank Results Season Kicks Off

• Major US banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and soon Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley) open the financial results season ([13:50]-[13:56]).
• Significant attention to how economic sentiment, interest rates, and advances in AI (Magnificent 7 stocks: Apple, Nvidia, Alphabet, etc.) are driving the market ([14:20]).
• Upcoming US midterm elections (November) and questions about consumer confidence and jobs—impacting both politics and banking ([14:20]-[15:24]).

5. US Political Intervention in Economic Policy (Fed & Trump)

• Crucial segment: Discussion moves to Trump’s ongoing criticism of the Fed and Jerome Powell ([15:56]-[16:44]).
• The debate: Can the Fed maintain its independence, or will monetary policy become increasingly politicized?

  “This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economics... or whether, instead, policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.”
  (Financial Expert, [16:52])

6. Pharma Sector Updates: JP Morgan Healthcare Conference

• The annual healthcare conference (JP Morgan in San Francisco) is underway.
• Belgian company argenx in the spotlight, with CEO Tim Van Hauwermeiren stepping down soon ([11:19]).
• Updates to come about company forecasts and sector trends, including billion-dollar expectations for new biopharma products ([11:19]-[13:50]).

7. The Most Expensive Pokémon Card Ever Auctioned

• Headline story closes the episode for lighter news:
  • A Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card is sold for $12 million at Goldin Auctions ([21:13]-[21:45]).
  • Buyer: Logan Paul (YouTuber and influencer, brother of boxer Jake Paul).
  • Analyst draws parallels to the speculative value seen in collectibles like sports cards, Star Wars, Harry Potter memorabilia:

    “It’s a business opportunity—the Pokémon market is like Star Wars or Harry Potter, built on massive community engagement.”
    (Economic Analyst, [22:18])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donald Trump on Deal-making:

  "I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way."
  (Donald Trump, [01:44])

• Economic Risks:

  "The risks for world economies now are more splintered: politics is fractured, authoritarianism is on the rise, and technology is changing the rules."
  (Economic Analyst, [07:45])

• On Fed Independence:

  “This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economics... or whether, instead, policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.”
  (Financial Expert, [16:52])

• Pokémon Card Auction:

  "The Pikachu Illustrator card fetched $12 million—Logan Paul bought it, which says a lot about the market’s connection with influencers and collectors."
  (European Correspondent, [21:38])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Greenland-US tensions: [00:38] – [02:20]
• Iran protests/crackdown: [01:04] – [05:39]
• Davos World Economic Forum/global risks: [07:07] – [11:13]
• US bank earnings preview: [13:50] – [15:56]
• Fed/Trump/central bank politics: [15:56] – [17:17]
• Pharma/JP Morgan Healthcare Conference: [11:19] – [13:50]
• Pokémon card/collectibles boom: [21:13] – [22:18]

Overall Flow & Tone

The podcast maintains an urgent, news-driven tone—quick, to-the-point, but balanced with expert commentary. Brief moments of levity appear with the Pokémon card story, but the episode mainly takes a serious approach to macro-political and financial risks facing Europe, the US, and the broader world.

This summary captures the key news moments, analysis, and expert perspectives to help listeners stay ahead as they start the day.