Podcast Summary: "Louder with Crowder" – Episode: COLD WAR 2.0? Will China Blink First Or Will Trump?

Release Date: April 9, 2025

In this provocative episode of "Louder with Crowder," host Steven Crowder delves deep into the escalating tensions between the United States and China, framing the current economic and political standoff as a new Cold War. The discussion intertwines with critiques of environmental conservation efforts, highlighting unintended consequences of well-meaning policies. The episode features contributions from guests Nick DiPaolo, Angela, and Jasmine Crockett, who add layers of humor and critical perspectives to the unfolding dialogue.

1. Introduction and Overview

Steven Crowder opens the show with his characteristic blend of humor and directness, welcoming the audience and setting the stage for a discussion on the resurgence of tariffs against China. He positions this economic maneuver as a strategic move to prevent an outright military conflict, reminiscent of the original Cold War's intent to stave off direct warfare.

Notable Quote:

[00:01] Steven Crowder: "We're going to make the case the tariff war needs to take place so that we can avoid actual war. That's what the Cold War was. This is actually more severe. This is a new cold war."

2. Tariff War with China

Crowder argues that the imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods is a necessary step to counteract China's aggressive economic strategies and prevent a potential military confrontation. He emphasizes the importance of economic measures as a front line in this modern geopolitical struggle.

Key Points:

• Tariffs are portrayed as a peaceful alternative to military engagement.
• The necessity of a "tariff war" to counteract China's economic dominance.
• Comparison of China’s global ambitions to historical adversaries like Russia.

3. Trump's Defense Undersecretary Confirmation

The episode highlights the Senate's confirmation of Elbridge Kobe as the Defense Department Undersecretary for Policy under President Trump. Kobe is characterized as a staunch hawk on China, advocating for increased defense spending in the Asia-Pacific region and reduced focus on Ukraine.

Notable Quote:

[10:15] Angela: "I know that sounds."

[11:24] Jasmine Crockett: "That was written by a staffer. McConnell didn't write that."

Crowder scrutinizes the Senate vote, pointing out the bipartisan dynamics and the implications of Kobe's policy stances on U.S.-China relations.

4. Tariffs' Impact and Media Misrepresentation

Crowder contends that media outlets are exaggerating the potential for tariffs to lead to an actual war, arguing instead that these measures are part of an inevitable economic clash between superpowers. He emphasizes that the tariffs themselves are not causing war but are a response to already existing tensions.

Notable Quote:

[18:18] Steven Crowder: "It could happen, but it's not happening because of the tariffs. It's happening because it was going to happen anyway."

5. Perspective from Kevin O'Leary on Tariffs

Guest Kevin O'Leary joins the conversation, advocating for even higher tariffs on China. He criticizes China's adherence to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and accuses China of intellectual property theft and unfair trade practices.

Notable Quote:

[21:04] Kevin O'Leary: "104% tariffs in China are not enough. I'm advocating 400%. I do this."

O'Leary’s forthright stance underscores the frustration among some American business leaders regarding China’s trade practices.

6. The Argument for Uncoupling from China

Crowder, supported by his guests, argues for the United States to reduce its economic dependence on China. He cites the example of rare earth minerals, emphasizing that the U.S. lacks the domestic capacity to process these resources without Chinese intervention. Crowder highlights the strategic vulnerability this creates.

Notable Quote:

[24:45] Angela: "Yeah, well, and I want to go back to Kevin O'Leary's point, because his point is the overall point and people are missing this. We're slowly heading towards an inevitable death in this country if we don't address this problem."

7. Environmental Conservation and Unintended Consequences

Shifting gears, Crowder critiques modern conservation efforts, arguing that interventions often lead to ecological imbalances. He uses the example of dire wolves reintroduced by Colossal Biosciences to illustrate potential pitfalls in manipulating ecosystems.

Notable Quote:

[38:55] Nick DiPaolo: "Oh my God. I want earth for more than 10,000 years."

Crowder posits that efforts to "fix" ecosystems can sometimes exacerbate problems rather than solve them.

8. Discussion on De-extinct Dire Wolves

The episode examines Colossal Biosciences' project to revive dire wolves through genetic engineering. Crowder is skeptical, suggesting that reintroducing extinct species can lead to unforeseen ecological disruptions.

Notable Quote:

[40:18] Cass: "Had some amount of preserved ancient DNA."

Crowder humorously questions the viability and necessity of bringing back an extinct species, implying that such endeavors are more theatrical than practical.

9. Conservation Efforts: Wolves, Bears, Mountain Lions, and Seals

Crowder and his guests explore various conservation efforts and their unintended consequences:

• Wolves: Reintroduction led to a significant decline in moose and elk populations, disrupting local ecosystems.

  Notable Quote:
  [48:31] Nick DiPaolo: "Black people getting rid of their pit bulls, replacing them with wolves. For the love of God, man."

• Bears: Increased bear populations have resulted in more human-bear encounters, leading to safety concerns.

  Notable Quote: [53:06] Angela: "Many too many."

• Mountain Lions: Efforts to preserve mountain lions have led to territorial imbalances, impacting local ecosystems.

  Notable Quote: [56:37] Steven Crowder: "There's a mountain lion and a maga hat saying, build a wall."

• Seals: Conservation led to a surge in seal populations, which in turn attracted more sharks, increasing beach shark attacks.

  Notable Quote: [58:03] Steven Crowder: "Now we have to travel anywhere from 50 to 125 miles to really be successful at catching codfish."

Crowder argues that these examples demonstrate how well-intentioned environmental policies can backfire, leading to greater ecological and social issues.

10. Host's Top Five Species That Should Be Extinct

In a humorous segment, Crowder lists species he believes should be extinct, reflecting his critical stance on certain conservation efforts.

Notable Quote:

[61:06] Steven Crowder: "This week. Top five species that should be extinct. Number five, anything on Snake Island. And then numbers four through one, just spider, spider, spider, spider, spider, spider, spider, spider, spiders."

The segment underscores Crowder's skepticism about interventions in natural ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of letting nature take its course without human interference.

11. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Crowder maintains his stance on the necessity of economic strategies against China to prevent a larger conflict. He reiterates his criticisms of environmental conservation efforts, suggesting that they often do more harm than good. The episode blends serious geopolitical discourse with comedic elements, characteristic of Crowder's style.

Final Notable Quote:

[61:52] Jasmine Crockett: "That picked up."

[62:14] Steven Crowder: "The only people that are crying are the mediocre white boys."

Key Takeaways

• Economic Strategy Against China: Crowder emphasizes tariffs as a necessary measure to counter China's economic aggression and prevent a potential Cold War-like conflict.

• Critique of Conservation Efforts: The episode argues that human interventions in ecosystems often lead to unintended negative consequences, questioning the efficacy of modern conservation strategies.

• Skepticism of De-extinction Projects: Reintroducing extinct species like dire wolves is portrayed as potentially more harmful than beneficial, highlighting the unpredictability of such endeavors.

• Humorous Yet Critical Tone: Throughout the episode, Crowder and his guests employ humor to critique both political and environmental policies, engaging the audience with a mix of serious analysis and satirical commentary.

This episode of "Louder with Crowder" offers a blend of geopolitical analysis and environmental critique, framed within the host's characteristic comedic style. By intertwining serious discussions with humor, Crowder engages his audience in contemplating the complexities of modern economic and environmental policies.