Deglobalization in Action: What’s Next for Brands and Borders?

Renee Hartman joins Chris Baker from opposite sides of the globe — Galway, Ireland and Seoul, South Korea — to unpack developments in global trade, retail innovation, and shifting consumer behavior. The episode dives into the uncertainty caused by tariff threats and how that’s already influencing supply chains, marketing, and travel habits. You’ll hear firsthand insights from a Seoul marketing conference (Coupang, Pinterest, Teradata), European retail spotlighting Asian innovation, and conversations on U.S.–China trade. The discussion covers China as the top trade partner for most countries, how Korean and Chinese brands outpace U.S. competitors in speed to market, why tariffs may increase overseas shopping by American tourists, Asia’s experience-led physical retail, and the shift from globalization to regional trading blocs.