Squawk Pod

President-elect Trump has reportedly invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for his inauguration next month. CNBC Beijing Bureau chief Eunice Yoon says it’s unlikely that Xi will attend, but shares her insight on Trump’s China policy, including the threat of tariffs and his stance on Taiwan. Next, Spanx founder Sara Blakely has a new venture: a high-heeled sneaker called “Sneex.” The self-made billionaire discusses her entrepreneurship journey and inspiration, from shapewear to shoes. Plus, Amazon reportedly plans to donate $1M to Trump’s inauguration, higher egg prices are back, just in time for the holidays, and mysterious drone sightings continue over New Jersey. Eunice Yoon - 15:35Sara Blakely - 23:38 In this episode:Eunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvSara Blakely, @sarablakelyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

New bipartisan legislation in Washington aims to break up pharmacy benefit managers after years of scrutiny on PBMs from Congress and the FTC. Health care insurance executive Mark Bertolini is now CEO of Oscar Health, and he spent years leading Aetna and CVS Health. Today, he reflects on American health care, his vision for an improved system, and his own security detail in the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder. In a wide ranging and very personal conversation, Bertolini shares his experience with 18 years of chronic pain and the treatment that changed his life. Plus, Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) is explaining his edited Spotify wrapped, and Elon Musk is inching closer to trillionaire status, thanks to a new Tesla stock milestone.   Mark Bertolini - 17:42 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Preroll 00:00ad 1 14:28ad 2 36:18TRT 36:44

Two major corporate deals withered on Tuesday. A judge blocked the pending $25 billion merger of grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons, and President Biden reportedly plans to block U.S. Steel’s $14.1 billion sale to Nippon Steel. Dealmaking on public markets will continue in 2025, according to Lead Edge Capital founding partner Mitchell Green. The Alibaba, Uber, and Spotify backer discusses the IPO window as we wind down 2024. His rationale for a slow year for market debuts: many of the best companies raised enough capital in 2021 and 2022 to hold off on an IPO. Plus, Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka discusses the potential impact of President-elect Trump’s tariff plans on the supply chain and consumer prices.  Mitchell Green - 14:35Gene Seroka - 23:31 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

New York prosecutors have charged Ivy League grad Luigi Mangione with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, court records show. Though a manhunt is over for now, the health care industry may be ready for change. Next, Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Karim Sadjapour examines the power vacuum in Syria and the new leadership’s agenda for the nation. Plus, Dunkin' Donuts is making waves, but not just in your cup—find out why they’re showing up in bathrooms. And as the holiday travel season ramps up, The Points Guy Brian Kelly shares his top tips on how to maximize travel rewards and save this season.Karim Sadjapour - 16:17Brian Kelly - 26:43In this episode:Karim Sadjadpour, @ksadjadpourBrian Kelly, @thepointsguyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY