Mar 8, 2022

An oil shock? In this economy?

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Surging oil prices and high prices at the pump used to precede a recession. But after two years of the pandemic, this time might be different.

Segments From this episode

Has the pandemic made the U.S. less vulnerable to oil price spikes?

by Matt Levin

Mar 8, 2022

Biden's ban on Russian oil may raise already high fuel prices. Though recessions followed past runups, this time may be different.

High oil prices may not affect the U.S. like they used to. We produce a lot of the commodity ourselves, and many households are flush with savings.

David Ryder/Getty Images

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For global brands, pulling out of Russia isn't a yes-or-no question

by Kristin Schwab

Mar 8, 2022

Logistics, business models and a fear of Russians' reactions are all factors.

The Kremlin's towers are reflected in the window of a McDonald's restaurant in Moscow. The chain said Tuesday that it would temporarily close its Russian locations.

Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images

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The war in Ukraine means more chaos for global shipping

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Mar 8, 2022

Companies are rerouting around conflict zones and costs are on the rise, explains Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport.

Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, said the air cargo business is "dramatically cut short right now in capacity."

John Moore/Getty Images

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How to make sure your Ukraine donations make it to the people who need it

by Samantha Fields

Mar 8, 2022

Donating requires some due diligence, especially when it comes to social media.

As the number of refugees from Ukraine increases, so does aid, and so do aid scams. Above, charity workers and volunteers in New Jersey pack boxes with humanitarian donations to be shipped to Ukraine.

Angela Weiss/AFP Getty Images

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Has the pandemic made the U.S. less vulnerable to oil price spikes?

by Matt Levin

Mar 8, 2022

Biden's ban on Russian oil may raise already high fuel prices. Though recessions followed past runups, this time may be different.

David Ryder/Getty Images

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Could China scoop up Russian goods at bargain-basement prices because of sanctions?

by Jennifer Pak

Mar 8, 2022

If fewer countries want Russian goods, supply goes up and China could, in theory, get cheaper prices. It is a whole other thing in practice.

Workers sort packages at a JD.com warehouse in Beijing in November. Items have been flying off the virtual shelves of a Russian store on the Chinese e-commerce site.

Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Rising Son Takuya Kuroda

The Game Gabriel Garzón-Montano

Nightlife (Zero dB Reconstruction) Bonobo

Drew Barrymore SZA

Wind Travel Richard Houghten

Divina Toro y Moi

Didn't Cha Know Erykah Badu

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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