In this episode of Energy Impacts, host David Blackmon sits down with David Malpass, former head of the World Bank Group, for an insightful discussion on U.S.–China trade relations, rare earth supply chains, and the global energy landscape. Malpass shares his perspective on rebuilding American manufacturing, the real costs of climate policies, and how energy independence will shape future economic growth. From Bill Gates’ shift on climate strategy to the critical role of nuclear power and data centers, this conversation dives deep into the policies and innovations driving the world’s energy future.Highlights of the Podcast00:01 - Introduction01:54 - David Malpass’ Career Journey04:18 - Trump-Xi Trade Agreement on Rare Earths08:02 - Agricultural Trade and U.S. Competitiveness10:54 - Contrasting the Trump and Biden Administrations14:14 - The U.S. Rare Earth Supply Chain Challenge19:41 - China’s Strategic Dominance in Manufacturing23:19 - Bill Gates’ Shift on Climate Change28:16 - The Real Cost of Climate Policies32:53 - Electric Vehicle Industry Pitfalls36:51 - Building U.S. Energy Independence42:22 - Competing with China’s Scale and Control45:28 - ESG Investing and Policy Shifts46:34 - The Role of Nuclear Power in Energy Security50:17 - Data Centers Driving Energy Demand53:47 - Closing Thoughts