Video is rapidly emerging as the leader of content, with podcasts as an influential ally. Together, alongside other digital content, they are reshaping how treasury and finance executives consume information and engage with critical insights.

In the past, we have published articles compiling lists of treasury management ebooks, training courses, webinars, and podcasts to help corporate treasury and finance practitioners develop a more thorough understanding of the subject and add value to their team and organizations. In light of increasing supply chain, geopolitical, and fiscal health risks, here are two videos and a podcast discussions that will assist treasury and finance executives in deepening their understanding of these emerging and disruptive risks, as well as strategies to mitigate them:

Global companies navigating from ‘China Plus One’ to a ‘China Plus Many’ world

The “China Plus One” (Plus One or C+1) supply chain strategy gained momentum in recent years due to the contentious US-China trade relationship, a faltering Chinese economy, and international armed conflicts that impacted global supply chains and fuelled inflationary pressures worldwide.

India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, and Poland, are challenging China’s dominance in global manufacturing, emerging as preferred alternatives for transnational companies looking to reconfigure their supply chains and navigate geopolitical risks.

These six countries have benefited from the “China Plus One” strategy pursued by global corporations to avoid investing solely in China by diversifying production and sourcing activities into other countries.

Despite the rise of the China Plus One strategy, China remains a dominant force in global manufacturing, amplified by its high value-added production prowess.

In this video, CTMfile dives into some critical questions: Can China’s superior manufacturing power be challenged by any country anytime soon? Should multinational companies invest solely in China, or is it wiser to stick with the China Plus One strategy? Alternatively, should multinational corporations shift from the ‘China Plus One’ to a ‘China Plus Many’ approach? To explore these pressing issues and gain insights into the best strategies for global companies looking to rewire their supply chains and alleviate geopolitical risks, please watch this video.

Which Country Faces the Biggest Debt Challenge? | GDP Series (Episode 5)

This video explores the national debt levels of the G7 and G20 nations, representing the total debt held by a country’s government, as opposed to debt held by businesses or individuals within those nations. Additionally, the video sheds light on the debt-to-GDP ratio for G20 nations, a critical metric indicating the scale of national debt in relation to economic output.

Understanding which countries carry the heaviest debt burdens or the largest debt load relative to their GDP can help treasury and finance teams identify nations that are facing economic distress or are likely to encounter it in the future. This insight enables these teams to take proactive steps to evaluate country-specific risks. By doing so, treasury and finance executives can determine the potential impact of such risks on their organizations and implement strategies to manage their level of exposure to those nations.

Record-high US national debt: A ticking time bomb likely to spark a debt crisis

The OpenTreasury Podcast recently discussed a concerning economic development: in July 2024, the US national debt reached an all-time high. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the gross federal debt surpassed US$35 trillion for the first time in history.

The mounting US government debt stands as a ticking fiscal time bomb that now represents one of the greatest threats to its long-term economic growth and financial stability and is likely to spark a debt crisis that may not unfold in 2025 but is bound to arise in the future if the US continues to rely heavily on debt and deficits.

By tuning into the audio or video version of the podcast episode, treasury and finance professionals can enhance their understanding about the rising debt levels, including the growing burden of interest payments, and uncover measures to prepare for a potential debt crisis.

To conclude, the global landscape is constantly evolving, with economic risks —including fiscal challenges as well as geopolitical and trade tensions—demanding attention from treasury and finance executives and pointing to one thing: the need for proactive strategy and preparedness.

Whether it’s bracing for broader economic changes that lie ahead or shifting global manufacturing strategies, the knowledge gained from the aforementioned videos and the OpenTreasury Podcast episode will provide key insights to help you anticipate and respond to complex economic challenges before they escalate.

The time to act is now. Engage with these videos and the podcast episode to sharpen your understanding of these crucial economic and business aspects and navigate the ongoing risks with confidence.

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⃰ Disclosure: Strategic Treasurer owns CTMfile.