Panama, Tariffs, and Power, with Andrew R. Thomas-EP 237
02/18/25 • 53 min
When Trump was elected President for a second term, I expected there would be a lot of talk about tariffs, but I didn’t anticipate all the attention on the Panama Canal and Greenland.
So, it seemed like the perfect time for Lloyd and I to talk to one of our favorite geopolitics experts, Dr. Andrew R. Thomas, best selling author and Professor of Business at the University of Akron. It also just so happens that Thomas is a part-time resident of Panama and he recently wrote a book about the Panama Canal.
It was a fun interview. We explored how the latest politics are reshaping international trade and why the current administration seems so interested in Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Quick note: we recorded this conversation on February 3rd, when there was serious talk about 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports potentially taking effect the very next day.
Listen to our other interviews with Andrew R. Thomas on the subject of reshoring and China, and the fracking revolution (Part 1 and Part 2).
*************
Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.
View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel
Follow us on Social and never miss an update!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog
*************
Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion!
*************
Interview Highlights
The Panama Canal’s Surprising Success Story
Thomas shared a compelling narrative about the Panama Canal’s transformation. World War II marked a turning point – modern warships had grown too large for the locks, while America’s new interstate highway system and thriving west coast economy diminished its commercial importance. In 2000, critics compared the U.S. handover of control to “giving a Ferrari’s keys to a 16-year-old.” The Panamanians proved them wrong. They achieved ISO 9001 certification within a year, modernized booking systems, and transformed the money-losing operation into a profitable enterprise that generates billions in annual revenue.
This success story has taken a geopolitical turn. China has established growing influence in Panama by managing ports on both sides of the canal, launching infrastructure projects, and strengthening diplomatic ties. This expansion has drawn intense scrutiny from U.S. policymakers, especially President Trump.
The Energy Revolution Reshaping Global Politics
Thomas outlined how the American shale revolution has transformed international relations. America’s private property rights system differs from other nations where governments control mineral rights. This distinction enabled an energy renaissance that has transformed global dynamics and given the U.S. unprecedented leverage in foreign policy decisions.
The Panama Canal serves as a crucial link in this new energy landscape by facilitating American LNG exports to Asian markets. This demonstrates how infrastructure, energy policy, and international trade interconnect in today’s complex global environment.
Tariffs as Tools of Power
The recent announcements of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% on China mark a dramatic shift in American foreign policy. Thomas argues these moves extend beyond trade – they leverage economic power to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. This approach signals a shift from maintaining global order to prioritizing domestic interests, creating unprecedented uncertainty in international business.
A New World Order Emerges
Thomas highlighted a pivotal moment when the Secretary of State acknowledged a “multipolar world” – a revolutionary admissi...
When Trump was elected President for a second term, I expected there would be a lot of talk about tariffs, but I didn’t anticipate all the attention on the Panama Canal and Greenland.
So, it seemed like the perfect time for Lloyd and I to talk to one of our favorite geopolitics experts, Dr. Andrew R. Thomas, best selling author and Professor of Business at the University of Akron. It also just so happens that Thomas is a part-time resident of Panama and he recently wrote a book about the Panama Canal.
It was a fun interview. We explored how the latest politics are reshaping international trade and why the current administration seems so interested in Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Quick note: we recorded this conversation on February 3rd, when there was serious talk about 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports potentially taking effect the very next day.
Listen to our other interviews with Andrew R. Thomas on the subject of reshoring and China, and the fracking revolution (Part 1 and Part 2).
*************
Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.
View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel
Follow us on Social and never miss an update!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog
*************
Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion!
*************
Interview Highlights
The Panama Canal’s Surprising Success Story
Thomas shared a compelling narrative about the Panama Canal’s transformation. World War II marked a turning point – modern warships had grown too large for the locks, while America’s new interstate highway system and thriving west coast economy diminished its commercial importance. In 2000, critics compared the U.S. handover of control to “giving a Ferrari’s keys to a 16-year-old.” The Panamanians proved them wrong. They achieved ISO 9001 certification within a year, modernized booking systems, and transformed the money-losing operation into a profitable enterprise that generates billions in annual revenue.
This success story has taken a geopolitical turn. China has established growing influence in Panama by managing ports on both sides of the canal, launching infrastructure projects, and strengthening diplomatic ties. This expansion has drawn intense scrutiny from U.S. policymakers, especially President Trump.
The Energy Revolution Reshaping Global Politics
Thomas outlined how the American shale revolution has transformed international relations. America’s private property rights system differs from other nations where governments control mineral rights. This distinction enabled an energy renaissance that has transformed global dynamics and given the U.S. unprecedented leverage in foreign policy decisions.
The Panama Canal serves as a crucial link in this new energy landscape by facilitating American LNG exports to Asian markets. This demonstrates how infrastructure, energy policy, and international trade interconnect in today’s complex global environment.
Tariffs as Tools of Power
The recent announcements of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% on China mark a dramatic shift in American foreign policy. Thomas argues these moves extend beyond trade – they leverage economic power to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. This approach signals a shift from maintaining global order to prioritizing domestic interests, creating unprecedented uncertainty in international business.
A New World Order Emerges
Thomas highlighted a pivotal moment when the Secretary of State acknowledged a “multipolar world” – a revolutionary admissi...
Previous Episode
My STAR CNC Swiss Guru, with Dave Polito—EP 169
Dave Polito is my Star CNC guru.
He’s always been there when I’ve had questions, whether I was asking about a 1999 Star SA12, or a sweet SV38R located in Asia, or the ever flummoxing Siemens control on an ECAS-20.
Dave is the owner of Quality Machine Tool Services, the Star distributor for Illinois and southern Wisconsin. He has been servicing and selling Star Swiss screw machines for over 35 years. For much of his career he did technical service and applications. Quality Machine Tool Services started as strictly a service center and then in 2009 began selling Star machines.
*************
Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.
View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel
Follow us on Social and never miss an update!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog
*************
Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion!
*************
Interview Highlights
Star’s Distinction from other Swiss CNC Brands
Dave says that several top Swiss CNC screw machine producers make quality products, but Star’s service and the durability of its machines make it one of the best choices on the market. The machines have dovetail construction and their Fanuc control make them easy for operators of other machines with Fanuc control to adopt them. It’s not uncommon for 20-year-old Star machines to still be making good parts, so Star has continued to service all of the machines, and Star’s live tools can be used on all different generations of the brand.
A Refresher on Swiss Machining
Swiss style machines originated in the 1800s in Switzerland for the watch industry that needed to be able to produce parts with a long length to diameter ratio. Swiss style machines are able to produce precise long parts because the bar is supported by a guide bushing that prevents deflection. Swiss style machines are also known as sliding headstock machines because the headstock is what feeds the material through the guide bushing. Today’s Swiss technology is still important for making long parts, but it’s also significant because it enables users to produce complex complete parts. Typically, Swiss machines are used for runs of at least thousands. They aren’t nearly as fast as multi-spindles but are a lot faster than single spindle CNC lathes.
Machining with Ground Bar Stock vs. Unground Bar Stock
Swiss machining is generally associated with using bar stock that is ground to the desired tolerance of parts. Quality ground stock takes some of the variables away that could produce poor parts, so it’s usually advisable to use it when machining unattended.
However, Dave says only around 50% of Swiss work uses ground stock. Some improvements in technology such as Star’s rotary magic guide bushing have made it easier to machine cheaper unground stock. One of the benefits of the rotary magic guide bushing is that it creates air pressure to make sure it is not too loose nor too tight around the bar.
Machining with Guide Bushing (Swiss Style) vs Without Guide Bushing (Chucking Mode)
Using Swiss Style lathes without the guide bushing, also called chucking mode, has been growing more popular. Without a guide bushing, the machines cannot produce parts quite as long or precise, but the parts can still be high quality and machined complete. Using no guide bushing enables smaller bar remnants when a bar has been used up because the bar doesn’t have to travel over the added space of the guide bushing.
Turret Swiss Lathes vs. Gang Style
Turret style Swiss Lathes, often used for medical work can produce far more complex parts than gang style machines because they can hold 50 live tools at a time, while a gang style machine holds only a fraction of that. ...
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