The Decibel

Mar 13 2025 600 ep. 21 mins 2.9k

The Decibel Podcast artwork

Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.

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How to protect your money during a trade war

Mar 13 2025 21 mins

On Wednesday, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, with Canada hitting back with counter levies on nearly $30 billion dollars worth of U.S. goods. In response to the ongoing trade war, the Bank of Canada cut its interest rate to 2.75% as the trade war rattles the economy. Between stock market downturns, increasing fears of a recession, and the volatility of U.S. Presid

Pierre Poilievre’s problems with corporate Canada

Mar 12 2025 22 mins

Throughout his campaign, Pierre Poilievre has taken an antagonistic attitude towards Canada’s business elite – a historically uncharacteristic approach for the Conservative party. During a time of economic uncertainty, Canadians are looking for a leader to protect them from a trade war with the U.S. and business leaders are hoping to show a united front with the next Prime Mini

The Canadian detained by the Taliban for 77 days

Mar 11 2025 24 mins

For the last four years, Dave Lavery — a former soldier and UN security advisor — has helped Afghans safely evacuate to Canada. But this past November, during his most recent trip to Afghanistan, he was detained by Taliban Intelligence and Security Forces. But what happens when the person sent in to rescue needs saving? The Globe’s international affairs reporter, Janice Dic

Mark Carney will be the prime minister – what happens next?

Mar 10 2025 25 mins

The Liberal Party of Canada have chosen their new leader — and the country’s 24th prime minister. Former Bank of Canada Governor, Mark Carney won in a landslide, capturing nearly 86% of the vote. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau steps aside, Carney will take his place as the first Canadian prime minister with no political experience. While the Liberals have gained in the polls

How Trump’s imperialism is reshaping global alliances

Mar 07 2025 22 mins

After a little more than two days, U.S. President Donald Trump paused the 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico until April 2. It’s not just the tariff whiplash that’s causing anxiety – since Trump took office, he’s alienated allies, moved closer to traditional rivals, and hinted at a new age of U.S. imperialism. Doug Saunders is the international affairs columnist for

A carve out in the trade war – is this the first of many?

Mar 06 2025 25 mins

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke on the phone for nearly an hour about the trade war between the two countries. A slight reprieve was announced later that afternoon – but not necessarily because of that call. And at the center of all of these negotiations is one U.S. official: Howard Lutnick. Nathan VanderKlippe is an int

What Canada did day one of the trade war

Mar 05 2025 26 mins

U.S. President Donald Trump‘s 25 per cent tariffs are now in effect on Canadian goods entering the U.S., with 10 per cent on energy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hit back with countertariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods. If the trade war continues, inflation will start to rise, jobs will be lost, and economists project a likely recession. And with growing sentiment t

Trump declares trade war, Canada prepares counter tariffs

Mar 04 2025 24 mins

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to follow through on his economic threat against North American neighbours – his government plans to impose 25 per-cent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. In response, the Canadian government said it would retaliate with tariffs of its own. The tariff plan disrupts Canada’s most important economic relationship and would effecti

The ‘quiet rebellion’ underway in Iran

Mar 03 2025 23 mins

The Islamic Republic of Iran is as isolated from the western world as ever. It has no diplomatic relations with Canada, President Trump recently recommitted to exerting “maximum economic pressure” on the country to force it to abandon its nuclear weapons program and support for terrorism. Western sanctions have contributed to its 32 per cent inflation rate. And yet, as The Glo

Big Tech hijacked our attention. Chris Hayes wants to win it back

Mar 01 2025 30 mins

Presenting Machines Like Us, a Globe and Mail podcast on technology and people. We are living in a world of perpetual distraction. There are more things to read, watch and listen to than ever before – but our brains, it turns out, can only absorb so much. Politicians like Donald Trump have figured out how to exploit this dynamic. If you’re constantly saying outrageous things,