Johannesburg braces for G20 summit protests

Summary

The Globalist – “Johannesburg braces for G20 summit protests”

Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Chris Chermack (Monocle Radio)
Guests: Antony Squatsin (Bloomberg News Africa), Tara O’Connor (Africa Risk Consulting), Harris Georgiadis (Cyprus Parliament), Noel Salmi (Monocle/Zurich), Alessio Patalano (King’s College London), Gabe Bullard (Basel), Garry Boyle (Bangkok)

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Overview

This episode of The Globalist centers on the high-stakes G20 summit in Johannesburg amidst U.S. President Donald Trump’s dramatic boycott and apparent moves to expel South Africa from the G20. The show explores the impact of this boycott on diplomatic relations, African priorities, evolving global alliances, and possible shifts in multilateral dynamics. The program also covers Cyprus peace talks, deteriorating Japan-China relations, international arts news, and the drama surrounding the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. G20 Summit in Johannesburg: U.S. Boycott and Global Repercussions

• Context:
  First ever G20 summit hosted in Africa; U.S. President Donald Trump has boycotted, suggesting South Africa should be ejected from the bloc.
• Johannesburg’s Mood (03:46):
  • Antony Squatsin: “People are quite bullish. The US boycott isn’t ideal, but it’s strengthened South Africa’s relations with its long-term partners, especially the EU. Most countries are indicating support and want the summit to be a success.”
  • The U.S. attempted some last-minute diplomatic engagement by sending a deputy ambassador, intensifying bilateral tensions.
• African and South African Priorities (04:52):
  • Tara O’Connor: “With Trump not there—he’s famous for taking all the oxygen out of the room—the G19 has real possibilities. This is a chance to showcase the world how Africa can operate without the U.S.”
  • Key themes: solidarity, equality, and sustainability (anathema to Trump administration); the focus is on progress without U.S. disruption.
  • “Yesterday’s bilateral between the EU and South Africa, couched in language of reliability and trusted partners, was a clear jibe at the unreliability of the Trump administration.”
• Summit Outcomes and U.S. Absence (06:21):
  • Question of whether Trump miscalculated and will be left out of key global shifts.
  • Antony Squatsin: “There’s real resolve to support South Africa and push ahead. It’s problematic to have a consensus communiqué without the U.S., but leaders want to find a workaround.”
  • Likely focus on debt relief, climate, sustainability, and reducing global inequality—highlighting a report by Joseph Stiglitz commissioned by President Ramaphosa.
• Balance of Power & China’s Role (07:57):
  • China’s premier attending instead of President Xi; significant Nigerian presence.
  • Other key African nations see opportunity for influence, especially bringing forward debt and inequality issues and reinforcing the importance of multilateral institutions.
  • “This is a vital chance for other nations to rub shoulders with the ‘great and good’ of 19 countries.”
• Downgraded Participation, Future of G20 (10:06):
  • Trump’s absence and Xí’s non-attendance slightly diminish the summit.
  • South Africa still pleased with broad attendance, despite disappointment over key absences.

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2. Revived Cyprus Peace Talks

• Background:
  • Cyprus remains divided since Turkey’s 1974 intervention, with periodic, often unsuccessful, peace talks.
• Current Developments (12:08):
  • Harris Georgiadis (Cyprus Parliament): Skeptical optimism about new talks, noting that real leeway lies with Ankara (Turkey), not just Turkish Cypriot leadership.
  • “Unless we see a real change in Turkey’s approach to the EU, democracy, and rule of law, I would remain skeptical.”
• Greek Cypriot Perspective (16:07):
  • Strong support for a single, federal state, aligned with UN and EU frameworks.
  • Flat refusal of a two-state solution: “Sovereign equality would mean two states—this is not acceptable to the Greek Cypriots, the UN, or the EU.”
  • Removal of Turkish troops seen as essential for functional security.
• UN-led Talks (19:22):
  • Talks must be based on federation/UN framework.
  • “Resolution on a federal basis could transform the East Mediterranean into a region of collaboration and peace—but as always, it takes two to tango.”

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3. Japan-China Tensions

• Recent Spark:
  • Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi suggested a possible response to a theoretical Chinese invasion of Taiwan, prompting Beijing’s strong reaction.
• Current Situation (32:56):
  • Alessio Patalano:
    • “The sharpness of Beijing’s escalatory moves was surprising, but the remarks from Tokyo were carefully worded. Beijing’s reaction will take time to calm down.”
    • Walk-back will be about Beijing’s perception of respect from Japan; it’s more theatre than substance at this stage.
    • China showing growing military confidence, using planned exercises as signaling to reinforce its rising power.
    • “Xi Jinping has made clear that military power underwrites China’s renewed world role—showcasing this is part of the journey.”

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4. World News Briefs

• Ukraine Peace Talks:
  • President Zelensky open to U.S.-backed peace plan with Trump, though Europe pushes back over concessions required from Kyiv. (21:16, 41:00)
• Japan Economic Stimulus:
  • $135B package approved under new PM Takaichi, stoking investor concerns over debt and weakening currency. (21:16)
• Brazilian Tariffs:
  • U.S. lifts tariffs on key Brazilian imports, but not others; ongoing trade friction. (21:16)

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5. Global Arts & Culture Roundup

• Frida Kahlo Auction (46:27):
  • Record-setting sale of “El Sueño (La Cama)” for $54.7 million, the highest upfront price for a work by a woman artist.
• Wicked 2 Film Release:
  • Debate over the trend of multi-part film musicals; critical reception largely positive.
  • Gabe Bullard: “It seems like people tend to like music on screen… Broadway is enjoying a revival in film form.”
• Meta-narrative on Criticism:
  • Growing new forms of cultural criticism on platforms like Letterboxd and Goodreads as traditional staff roles decline.
  • “There’s a hunger for qualitative evaluation, but confusion about who should be doing it.”

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6. Miss Universe Pageant Scandal in Bangkok

• Controversy Recap (53:34):
  • Drama peaked with two judges resigning over alleged competition rigging; one banned permanently.
  • Tensions between Thai and Mexican franchise owners, accusations of favoritism after Miss Mexico’s victory.
  • Garry Boyle: “It’s been months of tantrums and tiaras… The pageant has been sprinkled with intrigue—a secretive cabal of judges, accusations flying.”
• Social Impact:
  • Pageant retains massive popularity in Southeast Asia; significant pride and hopes tied to national candidates like Miss Philippines.
  • Criticism over perceived behind-the-scenes machinations and its relevance today.

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7. Notable Humour & Commentary

• Andrew Muller’s “What We Learned” (39:04):
  • Highlights media mishaps (Trump calling a reporter “Piggy”), notorious politicians’ names, and quirky records (matchsticks up nose).
  • Satirical take on global events:
    • “Musically inane, lyrically vacuous, and culturally pernicious…” (re John Lennon’s Imagine, 41:30)
    • “Donald Trump… does not care for follow-up questions, especially from women.” (43:15)

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Selected Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Antony Squatsin on G20’s mood:
  “People are quite bullish… The boycott by the US is obviously not ideal, but it seems to have strengthened South Africa’s relations with its long-term traditional partners… Most countries are indicating they will do their best to make the meeting a success.” (03:46)

• Tara O’Connor on Trump’s absence:
  “The fact that Donald Trump will not be there—he’s famous for taking all the oxygen out of the room… There’s a possibility to show how Africa can operate without the USA.” (04:52)

• Harris Georgiadis on Cyprus Talks:
  “It takes two to tango. Let’s hear clearly from the Turkish government that they are willing to facilitate federal reunification of Cyprus.” (19:22)

• Alessio Patalano on China’s behavior:
  “There’s a tactical opportunism from a political point of view the Chinese have displayed… Military exercises become really important signposting events.” (37:03)

• Garry Boyle on Miss Universe drama:
  “Three months of tantrums and tiaras… a secretive cabal of judges… This has ended up with more eyes on the pageant than otherwise.” (54:14, 55:06)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• G20 Summit in Johannesburg: 03:46 – 10:59
• Cyprus Peace Talks: 12:08 – 21:07
• Japan-China Relations: 32:56 – 38:33
• Arts & Culture / Frida Kahlo Auction: 46:19 – 49:59
• Miss Universe Pageant in Bangkok: 53:34 – 58:22
• Humorous news wrap (Andrew Muller): 39:04 – 45:22

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains Monocle’s signature style—polished, globally minded yet relaxed, with a mix of straight reporting, knowledgeable expert insight, and light, incisive wit. The humor and cultural asides (particularly in Andrew Muller’s segments and the Miss Universe coverage) provide a lively counterbalance to the gravity of international diplomacy.

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Takeaway

This episode captures a key inflection point in global diplomacy—Africa’s increasing agency, a fracturing G20, and the reconfiguration of alliances with the U.S.’s voluntary withdrawal from multilateralism. The vivid snapshots from Cyprus and East Asia highlight the fragility and persistence of old conflicts, while the lively coverage of arts and culture and global curiosities underscores how global headlines are woven through all facets of modern life.

Transcript

[UBS Narrator]

Craft matters in small ways like how a coffee is brewed, and in not so small ways like how your money is cared for. Which is why for 160 years, UBS has elevated banking to a craft, tailoring unique strategies that combine human expertise with the latest technologies, all happening across 24 time zones and 12 key financial hubs. With you at the heart of it all, UBS advice is our craft.

[Chris Chermack]

You're listening to the Globalist, first broadcast on 21st November 2025 on Monocle Radio. The Globalist in association with U. Live from London, this is the Globalist. I'm Chris Chermack. Coming up on today's program, boycott politics never work. It's always best to be inside the tent than being outside of the tent. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa navigates an on again, off again diplomatic relationship with the United States as prepares to host the G20 summit. After that, we'll speak to the chair of Cyprus Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee about signs that Greek and Turkish Cypriots could once again be ready to revive peace talks. We'll also talk about the ever deteriorating relations between Japan and China.

[Andrew Muller]

And then we learned another lesson in media management from U.S. president Donald Trump, who does not, we learned care for follow up questions, especially from women.

[Chris Chermack]

Andrew Muller asks what we learned this week. We'll also have a wrap of stories from the world of arts and culture and ask what the heck is happening with the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand. That's all up ahead here on the Globalist live from London. First look at what else is happening in the news. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he's willing to talk talk seriously with President Donald Trump about a US Backed draft peace plan to end the war with Russia. Japan's cabinet has approved a new 21.3 trillion yen or $135 billion economic stimulus package. And Brazilian food products, including beef and coffee have been exempted from U.S. tariffs that were first imposed in July. Stay tuned to Monaco Radio throughout the day for more on those stories. But first, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is taking center stage today for a summit of the Group of 20 G20 nations, or maybe that should be Group of 19, as US President Donald Trump has chosen to boycott the event and in turn has suggested South Africa should be kicked out of the bloc. The rest of the world's leaders will be discussing how to keep multilateralism alive in such strange and complex times, as well as issues that are particularly important to the African continent, which is hosting the G20 for the first time. I'm joined now by Antony Squatsin, Bloomberg News Africa senior reporter in Johannesburg, and by Tara o', Connor, founder and Executive Director of Africa Risk Consulting, a Pan African consulting company. Good to have you both on the show. I'm going to start with you, Anthony. What's the mood on the ground over there in Johannesburg? Are people bullish about this summit despite some of the controversies leading up to it?

[Anthony Squatsin]

Thanks, Chris. Yes, I think generally people are quite bullish. I think that the boycott by the US is obviously not ideal, but it does seem to have strengthened South Africa's relations with a lot of its long term traditional partners which have been testy in the last few years, like the European Union. There's been a lot of support for South Africa's position and I think most of the countries attending have indicated that they will do their best to make the meeting a success. Bit of a spat late yesterday when the US suggested sending their deputy ambassador in South Africa to receive the handover of the G20 from Ramaphosa. So that's a bit of a. That's the latest in the fight between the two countries that's happened.

[Chris Chermack]

Yes, there has been a sort of last minute fight over whether it would be any US participation at all. Tara, to bring you in on this. I mean, without the US there, as Anthony was saying, there perhaps strengthening South Africa's resolve, what are South Africa's and Africa's for that matter, priorities for this summit?

[Tara O'Connor]

Well, I think in a sense, I think the fact that Donald Trump will not be there, he's famous for taking all the oxygen out of the room. I think the G19 has got the possibility of actually becoming an important one and actually also looking at how, looking, showing out the world and how Africa can operate without the usa, which is the de facto position effectively and see where things can be done with the absence, a very prominent absence of the US And I still think the important, you know, the, I mean the theme of the themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability are a complete anathema to the Trump administration. But I think without the Trump regime they're disrupting there is possibility that the rest of the world row can make some useful progress. We've already seen that with the bilateral that happened yesterday between the EU and South Africa, which is all couched and framed in language such as reliability, the importance of having reliable and trusted partners, which was a jibe between both the EU and South Africa at the unreliability of the Trump administration.

[Chris Chermack]

Antony, to bring you in on that I mean, as Tara suggests there, it wasn't just the fact that this is being held in South Africa. It was also the topics, the theme of the summit that led the US President to Boycot caught this. I do wonder at this point if this is going to be a bigger summit, as Tara suggests. Does that mean that Donald Trump miscalculated, is he going to feel left out and also for that matter, worried that the rest of the world and Africa will turn its back on the US.

[Anthony Squatsin]

I don't know if he's taken that into account, but it's certainly what's happening. I think there's a, there is a resolve by the countries that are attending to go ahead to support South Africa's policies, which are not controversial for most of them, and to basically issue some sort of statement at the end of the meeting. It is problematic because it's a bit hard to have a communique which is supposed to be consensual when the US Isn't there. But I think South Africa is going to try and find a way around that. Whether it succeeds, we'll have to wait until Sunday to find out.

[Chris Chermack]

And what do you expect to be just to follow up with you, Anthony, on that, what do you expect to then be in that communique? Even if there isn't broad disagreement on some of this stuff, there are issues like debt relief as well. What do you expect to hear there?

[Anthony Squatsin]

Well, I think we'll hear that basically also expect to have some language around climate and sustainability and really pushing for, you know, basically highlighting the inequality report that Ramaphosa ordered from Joseph Stiglitz, the.

[Chris Chermack]

Acclaimed economist and Tara, to bring you in on some of the other nations that are there. China of course in particular might be the key beneficiary. How will President Xi be looking to parlay his appearance into influence in Africa?

[Tara O'Connor]

Well, I think, I don't think Xi is himself is attending, but he sent his premier and unfortunately that, you know, Trump not arriving means that there has been a lot of other downgrading. But for the other African countries that are attending, obviously the other, the hugely important country on the continent is Nigeria, which is the biggest economy next to South Africa. And you'll have Bola Tinubu and a very large Nigerian delegation. And it gives those other countries a great opportunity to get their message across, which is about debt and inequality and in fact, ironically, trying to restore the rules based order that a lot of these countries have actually complained against or bristled against and reinforcing the importance of the multilateral institutions. So nevertheless, it is a very important opportunity for all these other countries to rub shoulders with the great and the good from 19 countries.

[Chris Chermack]

And Antony, I mean, as Tara mentions there, there has been some downgrading of participation as a result also of Donald Trump not participating. What does that provide for the feel of this summit from your end as well? Because one might argue that therefore the G20 could of course lose influence, although as you mentioned, it will be going to the US for next year. One just wonders if there's going to be an upgrading again at that point or what your senses of the role that the G20 plays right now?

[Anthony Squatsin]

Well, no doubt the US has boycott of this final leaders meeting and their limited participation throughout the year has meant that the G20 status has been downgraded to a certain extent. I mean, South Africa has pushed on and done its best and there has been some resolve from itself and other key members, including the member nations of the EU and the UK to make it a success. But no doubt it has been downgraded a bit. And I think there is a little bit of disappointment that Xi Jinping didn't, didn't come to the summit, although he has been to South Africa many times in the past. And I think Javier Milei is not coming as well from Argentina. But otherwise I think attendance is pretty good. And I think South Africa will still be pleased that most European leaders have arrived and there will also be key presidents and prime ministers from a number of the larger global south nations.

[Chris Chermack]

Anthony Squatsen of Bloomberg and Tara O'Connor of Africa Risk Consulting, thank you both for joining us. This is the Globalist. It is 910 in Nicosia and 710 here in London. The island of Cyprus has been divided ever since Turkey's military intervention back in 1974. And deciding whether or not how to accept that reality has been one of the thorniest diplomatic problems over the last many decades. And now it appears that Cypriot leaders are open to giving it another try. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Tudan Erhoman met yesterday in the buffer zone between these two territories and have now said they're willing to restart talks led by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. Well, I'm joined now by Harris Giragadis, chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee in Cyprus Parliament. It's great to have you on the show. Let's talk first of all about how this meeting yesterday came about.

[Harris Georgiadis]

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity. Well, I wouldn't read too much about this meeting, because there have been so many meetings and therefore over the last half century. But in any case, there is a new Turkish Cypriot leader recently elected. He appears to be more conciliatory. So that explains, let's say, the heightened expectations that something may happen. I'm not sure if I share the optimism.

[Chris Chermack]

Harris, tell us a little more about that. It does sound like you are skeptical, despite the fact that, as you say, there is a new Turkish Cypriot leader who has sounded a little different from those in the past. Although, as you say, this has been going on for a very long time. Is this change in your mind genuine?

[Harris Georgiadis]

Well, what is the key, in my view, is not how the Turkish Cypriot leadership thinks, but what is the approach of Turkey or Ankara, of the Turkish government. So what the history, the long history of the Cyprus problem teaches us is that the leeway of any Turkish Cypriot leadership should not be exaggerated. I'm not saying that there isn't an input from Turkish Cypriot leadership, but ultimately all key decisions, especially when it comes to the very sensitive issues of troops and security, that's not a decision for the local leadership of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots. That's a decision of Turkey, That's a decision of Erdogan. And all the policies coming from Ankara do not signify a shift in policy. On the contrary, it seems that Turkey over the last 10, 15 years has been adopting a more, well, a role which is more revisionist. It sees itself as the dominant regional power. It doesn't hesitate to openly challenge Israel, for instance. It doesn't hesitate to make claims even for Gaza, citing the old Ottoman rule of that region. So we have a regional power which so far has not indicated that it is willing to adopt a more conciliatory approach to approach the European Union in a more genuine manner, to become more democratic domestically and to respect the rule of law in its international relations. So unless we see that, I would remain skeptical.

[Chris Chermack]

Harris, I do have to ask you about the Greek Cypriot side as well, though, on this, because there are basically intractable positions here, are there not, on whether there should even be a sort of two state solution to this or a kind of federal model. What is the view from the Greek Cypriot side at this point on how this can should be resolved?

[Harris Georgiadis]

It's not only a Greek Cypriot view. It's the view of the United nations who act as mediators. It's the view of the, of the European Union. It's the view of the international community that it should be a federal state. So one state, a federal one. But still, it's going to be one state. So this is one of the key differences. There cannot be one federation comprising of two states. That's a contradiction in terms. That might be a confederation or a cooperation between two states, but it's not a state all be the federal one. So yes, a federation is what the international community and what the Greek Cypriot side is willing to accept and to discuss. It has to come with certain preconditions, self evident preconditions, that it should be a functional federation, that it should be aligned with the EU are key because we are and we want to remain a member state of the European Union. Actually, the European identity of Cyprus should be the ultimate safeguard for Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike. If, on the other hand, we have approaches which basically lead to a two state solution in terms of, let's say it is called sovereign equality. So if the Republic of Cyprus is an internationally recognized sovereign state, sovereign equality means that there has to be two internationally recognized sovereign states. That is not something that the Greek Cypriots will accept. That's not something which is aligned with international law and the UN framework. That's not something that the European Union would be willing to accept. So this is one of the sticking points. Another would be the presence of troops. We believe that troops have to go, otherwise there will be no security and as I said, functionality that could be expected from any liberal democracy should be a precondition.

[Chris Chermack]

Harris, just finally then, with everything you described there in terms of some of the difficulties, the quite intractable positions between the two, even if there is skepticism, the fact that these two leaders have said they are willing to go back into this UN process to restart talks led by Antonio Guterres, what would that actually mean? What would those talks look like for you?

[Harris Georgiadis]

So they would, I would expect that they would be on the basis of a federation. That's the framework. That's the UN framework you mentioned, the framework of Antonio Guderres, the Secretary General. It is about a federan reunification of Cyprus. So that should be the starting point. And if that happens, then I may become a bit more optimistic that we may have an honest, let's say, effort about reaching a solution. We should, of course, see Cyprus in a regional perspective. As we have seen, the Eastern Mediterranean can be either a region of crises and conflict and challenges, or it can become a region of collaboration and opportunities and peace. A resolution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a federal reunification could facilitate the effort to transform the East Med into a region of peace and collaboration and not of conflicts. But once Again, I would say that it takes two to tango. Let's hear it out clearly from the Turkish side, especially Turkey, the Turkish government from Erdogan, that they are willing to facilitate the federal reunification of Cyprus and let us have a fully fledged, let's say, effort to sort out the details.

[Chris Chermack]

Harris Georgiadis of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of Cyprus Parliament, thank you very much for joining us today. Still to come in the program, what.

[Andrew Muller]

Is the one most important thing our.

[Chris Chermack]

Society needs that would be harsher punishment for parole violators? Stan and world peace. A clip from the 2000 film Miss Congeniality, all about sabotage and controversy at a beauty pageant. But how close is it to real life? We'll head to Bangkok to hear about the drama surrounding the Miss Universe contest. This is the Globalist.

[UBS Narrator]

Craft is a matter of perspective, a unique outlook, an obsessive attention to detail. With UBS's Chief Investment Office Houseview, we're focused on identifying the latest investment opportunities and market risks to help you achieve your financial goals. So you get the best big picture broken down into thought provoking insights delivered daily and curated by over 200 globally connected locally active analysts. UBS banking is our craft.

[Chris Chermack]

You're back with the Globalist and it's time now to continue with today's newspapers. Joining me from our studio at Dufelstrasse 90 in Zurich is Noel Salmi, travel, culture and sustainability writer. Good morning to Zurich.

[Noel Salmi]

Good morning.

[Chris Chermack]

Great to have you here. We're going to start with belem and the COP 30 summit that is ongoing there because negotiators are trying to reach a final deal. But what is the latest on this big fire that broke out yesterday?

[Noel Salmi]

Yes, that's right. Yesterday afternoon just after 2 local time, a fire broke out at the main entrance to the venue and the scene was apparently chaotic with people shouting fire and fogu running out of the air conditioned tents into the hot air. About an hour later they started filing in and then we're told no, the entire area is being evacuated. We're going to open later. And I was looking at the Estado newspaper this morning. Basically they did not reconvene yesterday and today is the last day of the event. So we will see what they managed to get done. A UN statement later said that the fire had been contained within six minutes and that 13 people had been treated for smoke inhalation. You know, I have to add here, so I grew up in Brazil, my father still lives there. And every time Brazil has hosted an international event, we always host kind of hold our breath Wondering, are they going to pull it off this time? Like three weeks before the Rio Olympics, the sites look like a construction zone, but they managed to pull it off this time. There have been a lot of complaints. One week before the event, according to the Estado, the UN was complaining of exposed wires. There had been torrential rains at the event with water leaking in through the tents, apparently not enough food, poor ac and even with lax security, with protesters able to force their way into the venue earlier this week. So not really good optics for Brazil or for the COP event.

[Chris Chermack]

Certainly not the best optics, as you say. There've been a lot of issues around COP 30. How is Brazil? Are they trying to put sort of a good spin on this? Are they able to? Because, as you say, this was their big moment, even if we've had these challenges?

[Noel Salmi]

Yeah, well, you know, it's tough. German Chancellor Mertz had come back to Germany earlier this week and said, wow, aren't we glad we left that place? And was attacked by Lula, by officials in Berlin, which is a very poor city in the. The poor northeast region of Brazil. So initially, Brazilians had been very defensive, but now even the papers are beginning to question the organization. So we'll see what they manage to, you know, how they managed to come off with this.

[Chris Chermack]

We will, and we'll see how those negotiations go as they get back to it well into the night. But let's move on to another story that you brought us, Noel, from the U.S. coast Guard. They're ending hate symbol labels for some. Well, pretty hateful stuff.

[Noel Salmi]

Yeah, no, it's really quite disturbing. So yesterday afternoon the Washington Post wrote a piece and then all the other US Papers have picked up on it today that the US Coast Guard quietly changed its regulations regarding representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, namely things like swastikas, noose symbols and other imagery from. With Confederate symbols. And they basically changed the labeling to say that they would be punished to. They could be considered divisive only if they affect good order and discipline and unit cohesion. The new regulations even say that it is okay to use display symbols widely identified with oppression and hatred in private spaces outside of public view. So following the Washington Post expose, if you will, on this sort of, you know, it's noticing that they had changed their wording. The New York Times followed up and Admiral Lundy, which is who is the top officer at the Coast Guard, said, no, no, no, we're still going to thoroughly investigate and punish the use of these symbols. So they're trying to tread A fine line between what is actually reasonable and what is being demanded by the Trump administration, which wants a loosening of harassment rules.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, trying to thread the fine line there. But as you say, when it comes to Washington, certainly this fits into a pattern of directives, doesn't it not?

[Noel Salmi]

Oh, it certainly does. I mean, when Secretary of War. Sounds terrible to say that Pete Hegseth had reowned all of the senior leaders from around the world, the senior generals, he said the era politically correct, overly sensitive, don't hurt anyone's feelings. Leadership ends now. So the Coast Guard is actually acting on directives which also include removing any protections for any transgender Coast Guard officers.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, let's move on to a story where you are which also feels controversial. Novartis wants to raise the cost of drugs that are sold in Switzerland.

[Noel Salmi]

Yes, that's right. So the CEO of Novartis said at an event earlier this week that they would like to see Switzerland raise drug prices. They've been wanting this for a while. They are controlled by government policy in Switzerland. But he's specifically acting in reaction to something that the Trump administration wants to do, which actually, this one is actually a good one, is lowering drug prices in the United States, which are absolutely out of control. And Trump has said that he wants to base the price of US Medicines on those that you find in Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and Denmark. Right now, there are no controls in the US which means that it's a great place for drug companies, for pharmaceutical companies to make a whole bunch of money in the United States and charge exorbitant prices. So what he would like to see would be a slight increase in prices in Switzerland and in these other countries, so that they could still charge a lot in the US they're threatening to release drugs directly into the sort of into the private sector and not to make them available through the state insurance, sort of the basic insurance that everyone has to have in Switzerland, which would mean that if you don't have your own private insurance or if your private insurer will go by case by case and doesn't want to pay for it, you would have to pay for those drugs out of pocket.

[Chris Chermack]

Noel, just finally, as well, you have a more positive story from the Los Angeles Times for us about the Palisades fire and something that survived.

[Noel Salmi]

Yeah, I just love this story. The Los Angeles Times has this amazing photograph taken by an Associated Press photographer in January right after the fires, where you see just this hillside of the Palisades completely burned out in ash. And right there kind of center top right is this beautiful blue and white VW microbus. And it's such a funny story. Amy Weintraub, resident of the Palisades, parked her bus there after a day of surfing and then fled the area when the fire started. And then she next saw her car. When she saw this image that had gone viral, people couldn't believe it was true. I mean, it was just this incredible image of this beautiful car that had survived, this van that had survived, and it sort of became a symbol of hope. And VW decided to jump on that and take advantage of it and restore the car for free. Now, the backside of it was actually pretty damaged. The mechanicals were not in good shape, but they fixed it all and they previewed it to the press yesterday ahead of the LA Auto Show. And Amy Weintraub, the owner, as well as the AP photographer who took the picture were both there to see it.

[Chris Chermack]

Good bit of branding there from vw.

[Noel Salmi]

Exactly.

[Chris Chermack]

LA Auto Show. Noel Salmi, thank you very much for joining us from our studio in Zurich View with the Globalist on Monocle Radio. Now here's what else we're keeping an eye on today. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's willing to talk seriously with President Donald Trump about a US Backed draft peace plan to bring about a just end to the war with Russia. European countries have pushed back against the plan, which would reportedly require Kyiv to give up more land and partially disarm. Japan's cabinet has approved a new 21.3 trillion yen, or $135 billion economic stimulus package, the first under its new prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, concerning some investors who fear the country's debt burden. The approval sent the country's currency to a 10 month low, prompting the country's finance minister to warn it was open to currency intervention. And Brazilian food products, including beef and coffee, have been exempted from U.S. tariffs that were first imposed in July. Brazil supplies about one third of coffee imported into the United States. A 40% tariff remains on other Brazilian goods. This is the Globalist. Stay tuned. It is 1531 in Beijing, 731 here in London. It's been about a week since Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, sparked a firestorm by suggesting that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could prompt a military response from Tokyo. Beijing has condemned the remarks and successively escalated things since poking at Japan's territorial waters and airspace, suspending seafood imports and some film releases and prompting some 500,000 Chinese to cancel their Trips to Japan as well. I'm joined now by Alessio Pantolano, professor of War and Strategy at King's College London and an expert on Asian defense. Alessio, great to have you back on the show. There have been some talks between Japan and China in this past week, but it does look like they're not yielding any results, are they?

[Noel Salmi]

No.

[Alessio Pantolano]

Good morning. Welcome back to be on the platform. Yes, I think this is going to take a few weeks before the storm can come down. And in some respects this is the sort of situation that is not entirely surprising for the type of dynamics that we've seen. What was surprising was somewhat the sharpness of the escalatory moves that Beijing put in place in response to the remarks, which we should sort of remind the audience that was not something that was planned ahead. The remarks on Taiwan were in response to a question that was opposed to the Prime Minister. And the Prime Minister actually for something that was not planned, had a relatively carefully worded response. She was very clear to present the subject in the context of if military action were to be considered to specifically say this is not if any action takes place, we will be considering some sort of involvement is only if the well being of the Japanese people, which in constitutional terms is one of the.

[Chris Chermack]

Very few.

[Alessio Pantolano]

Instances in which the Prime Minister and the government would have to consider what to do next. Notwithstanding that reactions were indeed very, very strong. So it will take some time before either side can actually roll back from the current situation. And certainly for Beijing, Taiwan remains a core issue and that means that it will take a certain period of time before even any de escalatory move can be put into consideration.

[Chris Chermack]

And Alessio, the way you describe all of that, both Takaichi's remarks somewhat careful and China's response, what would a walk back actually look like? I mean, if you look at China's reactions, what do they want Takaichi to say that she might be able to say?

[Alessio Pantolano]

I just think that whatever Takechi is going to say is irrelevant to the question. This is a continuity. This has been completely sort of self contracted by the Chinese. The Chinese decided to be offended, the Chinese decided to escalate. It's for the Chinese to recreate the condition. This was purely an early move in order to create some sort of a power play to establish certain dynamics with the relationship. So the choreography here is very much in terms of how Beijing will make it look that the Japanese are proving to be respectful. And I think in this respect, and we've seen already yesterday the Japanese national television was noting how on Chinese social media images of senior diplomatic representatives from Japan and China meeting together and they were portrayed like they were paying respects in a very apologetic sort of behavior to their Chinese counterparts. So I think some of these theater will be absolutely central for things to go back. Whether Takeichi is involved in this or not, that remains to be seen. But as things stand, it seems very much that this is very much about how Beijing will read the room and help through its own social media, its own domestic platform to make it possible to bring things back to normal.

[Chris Chermack]

Alessio, even if China's response here was not necessarily planned, or if you will, this was a reaction to these remarks from Take. There are other things that have been planned this week. There's a new aircraft carrier brought into service which has been, which China has been kind of showing off. There's apparent civilian exercises going on. I mean, in that sense, is China getting more confident in its military might right now?

[Alessio Pantolano]

I think you're absolutely right. China is getting much more confident. But let's be absolutely clear. What was not planned was the fact that then Takaichi would be asked a question. The way in which the Chinese reacted is absolutely part of the playbook. So in that sense there is a standard sort of behavior. There's a tactical opportunism from a political point of view that the Chinese have displayed already with a number of different actors from the Philippines to Australia to some of the European countries. So you know, the fact that it was going to happen last week was not planned, but everything else in a way is a set of responses and behavioral sort of attitudes. Politically, they're absolutely pre planned, same thing. China is on a trajectory. And Xi Jinping has been clear since the very early stages of his sort of leadership in 201213 that military power would underwrite the return of China as a leading actor in international affairs. So this is all part of that journey. And military exercises, training opportunities because of their pre planned nature become really important if you want signposting events that allow to underwrite this process and if other political sort of circumstances are taking place, they will be connected in order to showcase where China is going, that you have to respect China and that China's sort of emergence as a preponderance power in that parts of the world is absolutely inevitable.

[Chris Chermack]

Alessio Patolano of King's College London, thank you very much for joining us today. You're with Monocle Radio. Now, as it is Friday, it is time for Andrew Muller's weekly news roundup. What we learned.

[Andrew Muller]

We learned this week that J.D. van Vance had been sent to prison for two years. Not that J.D. vance, though, @ least not yet. We learned that Michigan citizen J.D. vance of Grand Rapids, big hello to all our listeners in Grand Rapids hello, had indeed earned himself two years in the clean for and here is where it gets confusing. Threatening the life of Ohio citizen J.D. vance of the Vice Presidency of the United States. We learned that J.D. vance had menaced J.D. vance and other public figures in a series of ill advised and intemperate social media posts. However, we learned upon further research that JD Vance, not the Vice President, the other one, may not be entirely with us and therefore perhaps not strictly representative of any trend to the effect that people sharing names with public figures may be more likely to represent a danger to said public figures, which would have been a statistically alarming development for, for example, Congressman Chris Smith of the New Jersey Fourth, but perhaps reassuring for the less usually named likes of Oletha Faust Goodeau, a member of the Kansas State Senate. And what an absolutely excellent name that is, as all right thinking people will surely agree. Although given that we spent all afternoon researching distinctive names of American politicians, would be remiss not to elicit a few cheap laughs from the more easily amused sections of our audience by acknowledging this guy President Trump needs you. On April 1st vote Trump endorsed businessman Randy Fox Randy Fine will help President Trump save Social Security, although Congressman Randy Fine is not and can never be any match for the sadly retired now.

[Chris Chermack]

Live from Manchester, New Hampshire, a US Senate candidate's debate between incumbent Republican Bob Smith and former Democratic Congressman Dick Sweat.

[Andrew Muller]

Or indeed the also former Butch Otter.

[Harris Georgiadis]

Our future our governor.

[Andrew Muller]

Tempting though it would obviously be to while away the rest of this monologue and perhaps the rest of this week chuckling at the lexicon of Americans elected to public office over the years by their fellow citizens, despite being encumbered with names that seem a sort of open ended license to stuff them into lockers. One thinks, as one often does, of Wiley, Nicol, Ruffin, Pleasant, Napoleon B. Thistlewood, Xenophon, Wilfley, Outerbridge, Horsey, Furnifold Simmons and Young Boozer iii. And we made up none of these these. We learned that many more contemporary follies were here to command our attention, including an example of a head of state bursting into song. Oh no, and not just any song. The worst song ever written. It absolutely is and you know it. Musically inane, lyrically vacuous and culturally pernicious has spent half a century reassuring total fatheads that they are good people for insisting that the world's problems can be solved by everybody somehow simply getting along, no thinking or learning required. We learned that the latest politically and actually tone deaf karaoke est to seize a microphone and honk his way through John Lennon's regrettably inextinguishable anthem for the medically half witted was Venezuelan president, as of this recording, Nicolas Maduro. But sticking with the subject of eccentric demagogues known for an almost fetishistic relationship with a 1970s hit by New York City based artists exulting in a prospective utopia of brotherly love, we learned another lesson in media management. From U.S. president Donald Trump, who does not we learned care for follow up questions, especially from women. There's growing controversy today over the President's treatment of a reporter aboard Air Force One.

[Gabe Bullard]

Quiet, quiet, Piggy.

[Andrew Muller]

Yep, he really did call a female reporter piggy as she was peppering him with uncomfortable questions about the Epstein files. However, we learned, as we invariably do, that the President is in no way accountable for his own behavior. The White House is defending the President today and blaming the reporter Kathryn Lucey of Bloomberg News. This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues on the plane, a White House spokesperson says in a statement. If you're going to give it, you have to be able to take and we learned after tinkering with this section of the script for longer than you'd believe, that it is no easy thing to engineer a seamless link from the ongoing debasement of public life in the highest places to someone stuffing matchsticks up their nose. So let's just have some silly Scandinavian folk music music. For we learned of a new benchmark in the, to be honest, not hotly contested field of stuffing matchsticks up one's nose. Actually, hotly contested. That's pretty good. And we only just spotted it. We learned that the previous world record for stuffing matchsticks up one's nose 68 by Denmark's Peter von Tangenbuskov in 20192024 had been convincingly smashed by Swedish usurper Martin Strobe, who crammed not fewer than 81 matchsticks into his clearly capacious nostrils. We learned from subsequent questioning by agog local reporters that Mr. Strobe had embarked on this venture for the most honourable of reasons, as will now be voiced by Monocle's people stuffing matches up their noses. Desk chief Chris Chermack As a father.

[Chris Chermack]

I want my children to look up to me. With that in mind, I really wanted to make them proud and think that they have a cool dad.

[Andrew Muller]

If it's any consolation, he does have 81 matchsticks stuffed up his nose. For Monocle Radio, I'm Andrew Miller.

[Chris Chermack]

Thank you, Andrew, also for that cameo. I do think I'll stick with doing the rest of this show without matchsticks up my nose. This is the globalist on Monocle Radio.

[UBS Narrator]

Iq, EQ and AI, three components key to the craft of innovation at ubs. Because to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving age, you need a partner with decades of experience, endless passion for the work and a finger on the pulse of leading technologies, bridging human expertise and with artificial intelligence all to elevate you. UBS banking is our craft.

[Chris Chermack]

It is time to talk arts and culture now with Gabe Bullard, a journalist based in Basel who joins us on the line now. Gabe, good to have you on the show.

[Gabe Bullard]

Good to be here.

[Chris Chermack]

Let's start with Frida Kahlo, somebody we've been talking about quite a lot actually this week because there's also a new museum of Frida Kahlo in Mexico. And then there's been this big painting auction yesterday.

[Gabe Bullard]

Yes, one of Kahlo's works, El Sueno La Cama, which means the Dream, the bed, sold for $54.7 million at auction. This is the highest price paid up front by a work for a work by a woman artist, though adjusted for inflation, it is slightly less than was paid for a Georgia O' Keeffe painting in 2014, though at the time that was a number much lower than 54.7 million.

[Chris Chermack]

Certainly. And it's been a big week, though, for art in general, hasn't it? How does this kind of fit into the bigger picture that we've seen this week?

[Gabe Bullard]

Yes, there have been a few other high profile auctions this week that have fetched quite high prices, surprising a few of the observers. Maurizio Catalan's America, which is the solid gold toilet, sold for $12 million to Ripley's Believe it or Not. Gustav Klimt's portrait of Elizabeth Lederer soldier at Sotheby's for just under $237 million, which is the second most expensive sale of art at auction ever. So these prices are a sign that perhaps the market is growing after a few years of decline, or perhaps there have just been a number of lots for sale that have drawn new attention.

[Chris Chermack]

There have been a number of lots, but at the same time, just another word on Frida Kahlo herself. Does it show that she is still somebody who is you know, pretty popular around the world.

[Gabe Bullard]

Oh, yes. I think since the sort of rediscovery of her works in the 1970s, there has been this huge upsurge in her work. She's probably one of the most famous artists out there right now, and you don't have to look very far to see tributes to her work. I see her paintings on T shirts when I'm out and about. There's a restaurant nearby that has a replica of one of her paintings on the wall. I think that she has become such an iconic painter now that any of her works going to auction are going to be fetching these high prices. And when they're on display, they're going to draw very large crowds.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, Gabe, let's move on to some film news. The big film news that we have had this week. Wicked 2 is out. What do you make of it?

[Gabe Bullard]

You know, there was skepticism about splitting it into two parts. They've made these two movies longer than the stage show, which was a smash that the film was based on. And it seems like it's getting mostly good reviews, a few pans, and a lot of sort of medium to somewhat exuberant praise as well. I think the fans are going to to turn out in droves. I know that already. Some screenings have been pretty packed. Is it a sign of maybe more sequel addiction? You know, we saw that they split the Dune movies into two parts and everything like that. And it seems like a big ask to ask viewers to come back to the theater after seeing one part or maybe settle for only half a movie when they go. But it is turning out here. I think the other big lesson, though, is that people tend to like music when it's on screen.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, that is the other side of it, isn't there? On the one hand, it's the sequels. On the other hand, it's bringing Broadway to film, which, I don't know. I have to say, personally, I'm kind of skeptical of. Or at least it's really nice just to see a musical in person. But are people enjoying this revival of Broadway on screen?

[Gabe Bullard]

You know, it really seems so. And no matter what your taste in film, it seems like there is something for you right now that is Broadway themed. Richard Linklater's new film, Blue Moon, is about Lawrence Hart, who of course was the famous lyricist. That is not a musical, but it is a movie sort of taking place all around Broadway. It's set on the day of the premiere of Oklahoma, which Hart was not part of, though his former partner was, and also there's going to be a filmed production of Merrily We Roll Along. For any Sondheim fans who couldn't make it to New York, though, I should say that Linklater is also filming Merrily We Roll along, but he's filming it over decades. So if you're really wanting to see it, you'll have to wait till 2040.

[Chris Chermack]

That is a long time to wait for a film. And I have to say, I have to admit maybe that being in London, we do have the privilege of having the West End here. So maybe not something that everyone can enjoy. But we wanted to also, Gabe, get a little bit meta at this point because you brought us this story about everyone talking about film criticism.

[Gabe Bullard]

Yes. I feel like I've read more pieces about the craft and the work of criticism lately than I've of read actual criticism. Every time I open a publication now, there's an essay about what is happening to critics. You know, there was, we saw earlier this year the New York Times shuffled some of its critics to other beats. There have been changes at the music site Pitchfork. There was also the New Yorker essay from Californa arguing that music critics are perhaps too nice. I think what we're seeing is that criticism is like journalism in general, in a pretty dire state. Staff jobs are on the wane and there's a lot of growth among influencers and some might have some interesting information, some good points of view, but the platforms that they're on don't necessarily support the kind of in depth consideration that we used to get in, in print or online.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, I find that interesting. I mean, it sounds like you're saying. I mean, I guess that is true of other things too. Like that criticism is moving elsewhere. Or is there a problem with criticism itself? Are people kind of tired of the critics?

[Gabe Bullard]

I think that people maybe were tired of critics in their old sort of gatekeeping role, but it seems like people are really seeking out any sort of qualitative evaluation of a work. You see it on sites like letterboxd or Goodreads, people checking the star ratings of everything possible, whether it's a household product they're buying online or a new movie or book or a television show. So I think there is that hunger, but there is maybe some confusion about what, what criticism is actually supposed to do and who is really qualified to be doing it.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, I'm sure criticism won't ever die completely, but. Gay Bord in Basel, thank you very much for joining us Today. You're listening to the Globalist on monocle Radio. Finally, on today's show, it is 1452 in Bangkok, where in the last few hours we have heard Miss Universe is Mexico. Yes, the results of Miss Universe are in, but only after the entire pageant descended into something of a farce in Thailand this year, with two judges resigning and accusing the organizers of rigging the competition's final 30 entrants, charges that the organizers have denied and in turn banned one of those judges from ever participating in the competition again. It is almost as much of a soap opera as when Donald Trump was in charge. Well, I'm joined now by Monocle's Garry Boyle in Bangkok. Gary, good to have you on the show. Were you watching?

[Garry Boyle]

I was not watching. I was watching X have a meltdown as the winner was announced.

[Chris Chermack]

That's something. What kind of meltdown was X having?

[Garry Boyle]

X was very fond of Miss Philippines and thought she would have been the first choice. So Miss Mexico, after quite a dramatic month involving Fatima Bosch, the winner, there has been some disappointment in Southeast Asia, to say the least.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, then, what do you make of the winner? Because this is also related to the controversy that we've seen for Mexico. Was there a bit of sympathy there? She had been in the spotlight after being berated by one of Thailand's directors.

[Garry Boyle]

Well, to give you some background on the whole event, it's been like three months of tantrums and tiaras, I guess, to kind of explain the background behind the whole drama. The Miss Universe organization is jointly owned by Thai and Mexican interests, and they've been sparring the whole month with disputes over intellectual property. But one of the sparks of that conflict was the Thai director reporting some of the contestants to the police for allegedly advertising online gambling sites from their Thai hotels. So I think that sparked off some kind of standoff, Mexican standoff, some kind of standoff between the two countries, which escalated throughout the past three weeks.

[Chris Chermack]

And then there's also been this thing about the judges. Just tell us about that and just what the world has been happening. How has that been covered over there?

[Garry Boyle]

Well, we lost three judges three days ago. The final was this morning in Bangkok. Two of them left for what they said were personal reasons, but one of them did claim that there is some secretive cabal of judges behind the public face of the judges that had chosen the 30 finalists. So it's sprinkled this element of intrigue into the whole pageant, which, you know, I think has ended up with more eyes on the pageant than there would have been otherwise.

[Chris Chermack]

Well, that's a good point. Are there more eyes on it or not. I'm curious even what this pageant really meant for Bangkok, the fact that it was there.

[Garry Boyle]

Well, I think possibly globally these four main beauty pageants have seen a little decline in popularity. It seems a bit archaic, the very fact that we're still having these things. But it's been a hugely popular pageant or competition in Southeast Asia over the past few years. We've had Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, their women doing very well in the contest. So it is a huge big deal over here and it's kind of of culturally seen as a path out of poverty. And I know that Ms. Philippines, her speech this morning was that very beat that, you know, with hard work you can, you know, fulfill your dreams and all that kind of thing. So yeah, it is a big deal for Thailand to host. They hosted in 2018 and that was said to be one of the more popular or more the better events in the past few years. But it's also been a bit of a black eye because of the negativity around the Thai organizer who made a bit of a spectacle of himself a couple of weeks ago.

[Chris Chermack]

There was the spectacle. And then to go back to the Philippines, then the fact that she did not win. Is it because also this was in Southeast Asia, that this is. You're seeing such a reaction to that on social media. She was sort of the local favorite.

[Garry Boyle]

She definitely this morning, as the contest was unfolding this morning, she was getting a lot of positivity across X. I mean, it is a big deal in Southeast Asia. I think the drama has kind of overtaken the fact that Chuchi was a good candidate. She didn't even place in the top three today. So there will be a lot of controversy, I think, over the fact that these two co owners of the franchise, Mexico and Thailand, have been fighting and then they took the top two spots in the competition.

[Chris Chermack]

Ah, that's a good point. So does that mean that there might. I don't want to make you speculate here, Gary as the analyst, but does anyone trust the results?

[Andrew Muller]

Result?

[Garry Boyle]

Well, you know, if, if you're fond of conspiracy theories, you could say, well, you know, you know, Fatima Bosch, Miss Mexico, she, she was at the heart of this scandal. She was berated publicly by, by Mr. Nawat, who is the Thai organizer. Really a bad look for, for an international beauty pageant to have the contestants shouted at by a man. So there will be some speculation online for sure that whether this will kind of an apology or some kind of fix.

[Tara O'Connor]

But I.

[Garry Boyle]

Or is there a secret cabal behind the actual judges who's to say I wouldn't like to predict?

[Chris Chermack]

Gary Boyle, thanks for trying to predict conspiracy theories. Gary Boyle in Bangkok, thanks for joining us. That's all the time we have for today's program. Thanks very much to our producers Carlo Rebello and Laura Kramer, our researcher Joanna Moser and our studio manager, Mariella Bevan with assistance from Desiree Bandley in Zurich. After the headlines, there is more music on the way. The briefing is live at midday in London and the Globalist returns at the same time on Monday. I'm Chris Chermack. Thanks for listening.

[UBS Narrator]

With ubs, you have a truly global partner incorporating new technologies, innovative approaches and unexpected opportunities leading you to insights that help answer the questions that matter. Delivered with passion, care and unmatched expertise. Because it's about rising with the dawn each day, knowing that we can do even better. That's what banking is to us, not just work, but a craft. UBS advice is our craft.