GAFA goes to Washington

Summary

Down to Business English – Episode Summary

Episode Title: GAFA goes to Washington
Hosts: Skip Montreux, Samantha Vega, Dez Morgan
Date: October 25, 2020

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Overview

In this episode, the hosts discuss the US government’s antitrust investigations into GAFA—the tech giants Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon. The conversation explores the role of government in ensuring fair competition in the digital age, the economic and political context in the US and New Zealand, and the implications of monopolistic practices for both consumers and smaller businesses. The hosts also explain key business English vocabulary and offer perspectives on current events, making this episode valuable for ESL/EFL professionals interested in global business trends.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. COVID-19 Situational Update & Impact on Business

• New Zealand’s COVID-19 Handling (00:26–01:52)

  • Samantha provides a brief update: After a local outbreak in Auckland, strict but targeted lockdown measures were imposed.
    • “Auckland is at level two, which is social distancing, and you have to record your movements and wear a mask on public transportation.” — Samantha (00:38)
  • Active cases are mostly among returnees in managed isolation.
    • “They go into a 14 day managed isolation when they arrive at the border, and they have to show two negative Covid tests over two weeks before they can leave isolation.” — Samantha (01:19)

• Japan’s COVID-19 Status

  • Skip contrasts Tokyo’s higher case numbers, emphasizing the strictness and effectiveness of New Zealand’s approach.

• Political Ramifications

  • Discussion about the economic risks government faces by enforcing public health measures.
  • “It is a fine line they're walking. But there is an election on October 17, and it looks like Prime Minister Ardern and her party are in good shape for staying in power.” — Samantha (02:14)

2. Politics, the Pandemic, and Business Uncertainty

• The hosts discuss how pandemic responses are influencing elections worldwide, notably in the US where the presidential election is being shaped by views on pandemic management.
  • “It sure looks like the US Presidential election in November is going to be to a large extent about how Trump has responded to the COVID crisis.” — Skip (02:27)
  • “You have Trump and the Republicans on one side trying to balance reopening the economy with managing the spread of coronavirus and Biden, and the Democrats on the other side more focused on ending the pandemic before focusing on the economy.” — Samantha (02:42)
• The effect of uncertainty on businesses is highlighted.
  • “And it is really difficult for businesses to operate in an environment of uncertainty.” — Skip (03:06)

3. Antitrust: Government’s Role in Market Competition

• Transition to Main Topic (03:14–03:23)

  • The hosts steer the discussion toward the government’s role in ensuring a fair business environment, particularly through antitrust laws targeting monopolistic giants.

• Introduction to GAFA Antitrust Investigations (03:24–03:45)

  • GAFA: Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon.
  • The US government has been probing these companies for using their size and influence to suppress competition, potentially harming consumers.
    • “The US Government has been looking into accusations that GAFA companies have been using their powerful market positions to squash competitors, which in turn is hurting consumers.” — Skip (03:45)

• Congressional Hearing & Seriousness of Inquiry (03:44–04:20)

  • CEOs of all four companies were questioned under oath, signifying the gravity of the investigations.
    • “So if they lied, they could be charged with a crime. Sounds quite serious.” — Samantha (04:11)

4. Notable Quotes & Congressional Perspective

• Congressman David Cicillini’s Statement (04:39–05:01)
  • Sets the historic context for antitrust laws and draws parallels between past monopolists and modern tech giants:
    • “When these laws were written, the monopolists were men named Rockefeller and Carnegie. Their control of the marketplace allowed them to do whatever it took to crush independent businesses and expand their own power. Well, the names have changed, but the story is the same.” — US Congressman David Cicillini (04:39)

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Memorable Moments

• Clear Explanation of “Community Transmitted Case” — Samantha (01:07)
• Lively Comparison of International Responses to COVID-19.
• The Contextualization of Antitrust:
  • The hosts explain not only the basic premise of the antitrust investigations but also tie it back to history and modern business vocabulary.

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Important Timestamps

• New Zealand COVID-19 update: 00:26–01:52
• Political impact and election overview: 02:06–02:42
• Transition to antitrust topic: 03:14–03:24
• Explanation of GAFA investigation: 03:44–03:58
• Congressional quote and historical context: 04:39–05:01

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Summary & Language Tips

The episode covers essential business vocabulary such as “managed isolation,” “antitrust,” and “under oath,” providing definitions and real-world context. The hosts’ conversation, punctuated with both local and global perspectives, offers listeners a nuanced understanding of how political decisions intersect with business strategy—particularly in periods of uncertainty like the pandemic.

The tone of the episode is informative, conversational, and geared for listeners looking to both improve their English and stay informed on key business issues. The lively exchange between Skip, Samantha, and Dez ensures key points are clearly explained and resonate with their ESL/EFL audience.

Transcript

[A]

From Tokyo, Japan, and Auckland, New Zealand, this is down to business English with your hosts, Git Montreux and Samantha Vega.

[B]

Hello, Samantha.

[C]

Hi, Skip. It's been a while. How are things going for you?

[B]

Hmm, all things considered, not too bad, I suppose. And you over there in New Zealand, how are you doing?

[C]

Everything is fine, thanks for asking.

[B]

Tell me, what's the current situation with COVID I understand that the New Zealand government needed to declare another lockdown a little while back. Is that still ongoing?

[C]

That was in July. There was an unexpected Covid outbreak in Auckland, so the Labour government imposed a stage three lockdown, but it was just for the city of Auckland. The other part of the country was only under stage two. So now Auckland is at level two, which is social distancing, and you have to record your movements and wear a mask on public transportation. And the rest of the country is at level one.

[B]

Hmm. Okay. Well, that's good to hear. And just how many Covid cases prompted those measures?

[C]

Well, it started with a community transmitted case, as opposed to one that was coming in was in managed isolation, coming in from another country. So it was a family of three. We currently have 41 active cases, but they're all in managed isolation. So the majority of our current cases are from Kiwis returning home from other countries. They go into a 14 day managed isolation when they arrive at the border, and they have to show two negative Covid tests over two weeks before they can leave isolation.

[B]

41 current active cases, that's all. Wow. Here in Tokyo, there are anywhere from one to 300 new cases every day. The New Zealand government sure isn't taking any chances, are they?

[C]

Now, in terms of the pandemic and health, they are not. I mean, we all are a small country and we're surrounded by water, so maybe it's a little bit easier to. To keep it that way. But it remains to be seen if they're going too far in terms of damaging the economy.

[B]

Sure. If there is too much economic pain, the government runs the risk of being voted out of office in the next election.

[C]

It is a fine line they're walking. But there is an election on October 17, and it looks like Prime Minister Ardern and her party are in good shape for staying in power. I think overall, people are pretty happy with how she's dealt with the COVID crisis.

[B]

It really is interesting how everything eventually boils down to politics. I mean, it sure looks like the US Presidential election in November is going to be to a large extent about how Trump has responded to the COVID crisis.

[C]

You have Trump and the Republicans on one side trying to balance reopening the economy with managing the spread of coronavirus and Biden, and the Democrats on the other side more focused on ending the pandemic before focusing on the economy.

[B]

That is a good synopsis of the situation.

[C]

And now with Trump coming down with the virus himself, along with many of the people around him, it's really hard to say what's going to happen.

[D]

True.

[B]

And it is really difficult for businesses to operate in an environment of uncertainty.

[C]

Is that our topic for today?

[B]

Not exactly.

[D]

However, our topic today does have to

[B]

do with the government's role in creating a fair playing field for competition.

[C]

Ah, what's that?

[B]

Have you been following the US Government's antitrust investigations into gafa?

[C]

Gafa? You mean Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon?

[D]

That's right.

[B]

The four biggest, most powerful tech companies on the face of the planet.

[C]

I've heard a bit about it, but I'm not up on the latest details.

[D]

Well, for the past year, the US

[B]

Government has been looking into accusations that GAFA companies have been using their powerful market positions to squash competitors, which in turn is hurting consumers.

[C]

Ah, so they're looking out for the little guys.

[B]

Apparently. In fact, back at the end Of July, the CEOs from each company were hauled in front of a congressional committee and questioned under oath.

[C]

Under oath. So if they lied, they could be charged with a crime. Sounds quite serious. Sounds like an interesting topic for today.

[B]

I'm glad you think so.

[C]

So let's do it. Let's get DTube V. Down to Business with GAFA Goes to Washington. The U.S. government's antitrust investigation into Big Tech.

[E]

We need to ensure the antitrust laws first written more than a century ago work in the digital age. When these laws were written, the monopolists were men named Rockefeller and Carneg. Their control of the marketplace allowed them to do whatever it took to crush independent businesses and expand their own power. Well, the names have changed, but the story is the same. And without objection, this hearing is adjourned.

[C]

And who, may I ask, were we just listening to?

[B]

That was U.S. congressman David Cicillini.

[D]

Hi, everyone. Skip Montreux here. You have just listened to the introduction to a members only episode of down to Business English. If you are a D2B member, you will already have received an email from us. And in that email are links to the full episode and its audio script. If you are not a member, don't worry. We will be back with a regular episode very soon. But if you find down to Business English useful in your self study language routine, you should really consider supporting the show and become a D2B member. Membership comes with three great benefits. First, there are member only episodes such as today's. The second benefit is complete access to the entire audioscript library. That library contains the audio scripts for each and every D2B episode, going all the way back to our very first season in 2010. And the third benefit is instant delivery of audio scripts of newly released episodes. Personally I think this is a great benefit. No need for you to take the time and visit the website, log on and download the audio script. Within minutes of releasing a new episode, we send you a link to its audio script and you can start using it in your self studies right away. So what are you waiting for? Help support the show and visit the down to Business English website right now and get your membership today.