Trump Threatens ‘Economic D-Day’ Against Iran | Balance of Power 08/20/2026
“Balance of Power: Late Edition” focuses on the intersection of politics and global business. On today’s show, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York says the US should “hold the Chinese to account” for facilitating Iran’s illicit oil trade as President Donald Trump pushes an economic “D-Day” against Tehran. Josh Lipsky, Vice President & Chair of International Economics at the Atlantic Council, says Beijing is betting President Donald Trump wants to make a “big show” of economic pressure on Iran but will stop short of squeezing Chinese banks. Dana Stroul, Senior Fellow and Director of Research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says imposing more punishing economic pressure on Iran will depend on cooperation from partners including the UAE and China.
Chapters:
00:01:27 Bloomberg’s Jeff Mason on Scott Bessent’s Treasury Strategy
00:03:57 Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on the $40 Trillion National Debt
00:08:24 Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on AI Data Centers, Energy Demand & Local Opposition
00:10:32 Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on China, Iranian Oil & Sanctions
00:12:53 Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on The CLARITY Act & Crypto Regulation
00:16:49 Power Moves: Top Financial Moves
00:18:56 Josh Lipsky, Vice President & Chair of International Economics at the Atlantic Council, on US Debt & Global Investor Confidence
00:21:19 Josh Lipsky on Trump’s Economic Pressure Strategy Against Iran
00:23:42 Josh Lipsky on US Canada Tariff Negotiations
00:26:50 Dana Stroul, Senior Fellow and Director of Research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, on Trump’s Iran Economic Strategy
00:28:17 Dana Stroul on UAE Cuts Economic Ties With Iran
00:30:30 Dana Stroul on Iran’s Military Rebuilding & US Munitions
00:32:00 Dana Stroul on US Aircraft Carriers & the Costs of the Iran Conflict
00:34:56 Bloomberg’s Tyler Kendall Interviews Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev on the CLARITY Act & Trump Meeting
00:42:46 Political Panel Reacts: Can the CLARITY Act Pass?, White House Legislative Affairs Shake-Up, Could the Senate End Up 50-50?
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