In the first episode of a mini-series on global manufacturing, Gaurav and the team take a sweeping look at the sector’s evolution—from its roots in the liberalization and technological breakthroughs of the late 20th century to the geopolitical tensions shaping it today. They explore how different development models across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. have created distinct strengths and vulnerabilities, and how China’s rise—accelerated by its entry into the WTO in 2001—and recent headwinds have reshaped the global landscape. The conversation then turns to the changing nature of supply chains, the increasing irrelevance of the WTO, and the impact of shifting global consumption patterns. Finally, they examine the modern tech frontier—from semiconductors to clean tech—and the new geopolitics of manufacturing, including Europe’s energy shock and the rise of Chinese EVs.

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