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20VC: Reid Hoffman on The Trump Administration | Elon Musk and DOGE | The US Defence Budget, NATO and The War in Ukraine | China, Tariffs and TikTok | The Future of Chips, Nuclear Energy, Quantum Computing and Climate

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Episode notes

Reid Hoffman is one of the most impactful people in technology and startups. As a Founder he founded Paypal and Linkedin before moving to the investing side where he has led deals in Facebook, Airbnb and more. 

In Today’s Episode with Reid Hoffman We Discuss:

1. China and Tariffs:

  • Should the US ban Tiktok and other Chinese companies, given China banning US companies presence in their country?

  • How does Reid evaluate the rise of the Chinese car industry? What are his concerns?

  • How does Reid hope Trump uses tariffs to advantage the US position?

  • What is Reid concerned about what Trump could do with tariffs? What would be bad?

2. Elon Musk and DOGE:

  • What impact will Elon Musk have on the future of AI in America?

  • Why does Reid believe that it is impossible for DOGE to achieve it’s targets?

  • What should Elon must be given credit for? What does he not deserve credit for?

  • What are Elon’s greatest strengths? What are his greatest weaknesses?

3. The US Defence Budget and Ukraine:

  • Why does Reid believe that the US should reduce their defence budget?

  • Does Reid believe the US should continue to finance the war in Ukraine?

  • Should the US continue to subsidise NATO’s lack of defence spending?

4. NVIDIA and The Future of Chips:

  • Will NVIDIA be able to sustain their monopoly? 

  • What is the biggest threat to their position?

  • Should both the US and Europe have their own chip sovereignty?

  • How does Reid evaluate potential conflict between China and Taiwan impacting chip supply?

5. Nuclear, Quantum and Climate:

  • Why does Reid believe nuclear fusion can solve climate change?

  • Does Reid believe that with the rise of global conflict and AI, the importance of climate change is reduced in the attention of the world?

  • Why does Reid believe that AI does more to help than harm climate change? 

  • Why is Reid so excited for a future with quantum computing? 

  • What are the biggest dangers of quantum that we need to be mindful of?