Coercion, control and the Trade Links curse

As Trade Links returns in 2026, host Tim Phillips is joined by our regular panel of experts, Aastha Gupta (European Economist, Economics and Market Strategy) and Scott Livingstone (International Advisor) to talk trade and the international backdrop. 

It’s been a dramatic start to the year, so naturally the discussion focuses on US intervention in Venezuela and that most perennial of trade topics… oil. What are the impacts on the region immediately, and longer term?

The discussion then turns towards sanctions, and their efficacy in a highly interconnected world – looking at Russia, Iran and South Africa as examples. Can supply chains become sanction proof?

Lastly, the panel shares developments that the world may have overlooked, at the time of recording. Since then, of course, everything might have changed.  

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This episode was recorded on 22 January 2026.

President Trump quoted from press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPpd8AJwGlY

All details correct at time of recording.

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