Decoder host Nilay Patel talks with Altana CEO Evan Smith about how tariffs failed to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, with goods simply rerouted through third countries. The episode covers AI agents automating customs, the rise of supply chain traceability, and the weaponization of economic choke points like the Strait of Hormuz.
Summarized by Podsumo
US manufacturing jobs have not returned despite tariffs; automation is filling the gap.
Chinese goods are being rerouted through Vietnam, Mexico, and Canada with minimal transformation, not reshored.
Altana's acquisition of Servo AI automates customs brokerage, reducing friction from rising trade barriers.
Governments are demanding product passports for supply chain traceability, especially for critical minerals.
Economic choke points like the Strait of Hormuz are being weaponized, increasing the risk of kinetic conflict.
"_"The tariffs were supposed to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States... spoiler alert, it did not happen."_ — Nilay Patel"
"_"Manufacturing jobs continue to decline... the answer must be industrial automation."_ — Evan Smith"
"_"You don’t have economic security if you don’t control critical minerals."_ — Evan Smith"