Trade policy is back at the center of the economic conversation. In this episode of Current Account, Clay examines a series of major developments that could reshape the U.S. trade landscape in the months ahead. He breaks down the administration’s efforts to rebuild broad tariff authority following February's Supreme Court ruling, the growing role of Section 301, Section 122, and Section 232 trade authorities, and what upcoming deadlines could mean for businesses and global markets. Clay also explores the latest uncertainty surrounding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) after the United States declined to renew the pact for another 16-year term. The discussion offers a practical look at where trade negotiations stand and why tariffs are likely to remain a defining feature of U.S. economic policy.

This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.

As frontier AI models become more powerful, concerns about cybersecurity risks are moving to the forefront of policy and business discussions. In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Martin Boer, General Manager and Chief Representative for Europe at the IIF, to examine how advances in AI could reshape the cyber threat landscape.

They discuss why security experts are paying close attention to the latest generation of AI systems, how financial institutions are preparing for emerging risks, and whether regulators and standard setters can keep pace with the speed of innovation. The conversation also explores the growing debate over AI governance and what future legislation could mean for innovation, competition, and financial stability.

This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate, and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.

The conflict involving Iran has entered another period of uncertainty, with diplomatic efforts faltering and regional tensions rising once again. In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Hal Brands, professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, to assess the latest developments and what they could mean for the Middle East and beyond.

They discuss the collapse of recent diplomatic agreements, the strategic objectives of the key parties involved, and how Gulf states are balancing security concerns with efforts to prevent further escalation. The conversation also explores the implications for NATO, global energy markets, and the range of scenarios policymakers and investors should be watching in the weeks ahead.

This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.

As geopolitical tensions reshape security priorities across the Atlantic, defense has become an increasingly important economic and financial issue. In this episode of Current Account, Clay Lowery is joined by Dr. Torrey Taussig, Director of and a Senior Fellow at the Transatlantic Security Initiative in the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, to unpack the outcomes of the recent NATO Summit in Ankara and what they reveal about the future of the alliance.

They discuss growing pressure on European allies to increase defense spending, questions surrounding U.S. leadership and commitment to NATO, and how governments are translating new funding pledges into real military capabilities. The conversation also explores the role of private capital in supporting defense investment, the lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, and the challenges facing NATO as it navigates an increasingly uncertain security environment.

This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.

Can regulators promote growth and competitiveness while preserving financial stability? In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by IIF's Kyle Grieser, Director, Regulatory Affairs, and Miguel Lobo, Policy Advisor, to examine two major developments shaping the future of banking regulation: the ongoing implementation of Basel III and the European Commission’s new banking competitiveness agenda.

They discuss how post-crisis reforms have strengthened the banking sector, why policymakers are increasingly focused on regulatory simplification and modernization, and what the latest proposals could mean for banks in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The conversation also explores whether global regulators are finally approaching the end of the Basel III process and what comes next for cross-border regulatory alignment and growth.

Programming note — Current Account will return in September after a summer break.

This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.