Tomorrow, Today releases interview with Juan Verde on trade, purpose and AI

Tomorrow, Today has published a new episode featuring former Obama Commerce official Juan Verde, who reflects on his path from Spain’s Canary Islands to Washington and on the case for cooperation in a more fragmented world. The conversation touches on trade, sustainability, middle-class job losses and the risks of AI that prioritizes efficiency over human dignity.

Why it matters: - The episode centers on how public service, trade policy and cooperation can shape economic opportunity and social trust. - Verde’s views connect three major policy debates now colliding: AI, climate change and global security. - The interview frames responsible trade and sustainability as practical tools for growth, not just policy ideals.

What happened: - Tomorrow, Today released a new long-form interview with Juan Verde, former deputy assistant secretary of commerce for Europe and Eurasia in the Obama administration. - The episode features a conversation with host Shekhar Natarajan about Verde’s personal journey and his views on trade, sustainability and artificial intelligence. - The full episode is available on YouTube.

The details: - Verde said he left Spain’s Canary Islands for Boston at age 15 after a Cuban immigrant family his parents had helped years earlier invited him to live with them. - Verde said that experience, along with his parents’ example, shaped his belief that helping others creates lasting returns. - Verde said, “I've come to know that when you give, you get. So why not give everything you have?” - Verde chose a lower-paying public service job at Boston City Hall over private-sector offers early in his career. - Verde said mentors pushed him toward excellence throughout his career. - Verde argued that international trade, when done responsibly, can create prosperity and support peace. - Verde said globalization’s costs to middle-class jobs helped fuel today’s polarization. - Verde said sustainability has to make business sense to scale successfully. - Verde warned that artificial intelligence focused only on efficiency could overlook human dignity. - Verde said the world has shifted from multilateral cooperation toward more transactional diplomacy. - Verde said global challenges such as AI, climate change and security cannot be solved by any one country alone.

Between the lines: - The episode uses Verde’s personal story to support a broader argument for civic responsibility and cross-border cooperation. - Natarajan’s comments point to a centrist governing model as a practical requirement for policy action in a polarized environment. - The interview reflects a growing tension between technological progress and the need to preserve human values in public policy and business.

What’s next: - Tomorrow, Today will continue distributing episodes on YouTube and major podcast platforms. - The interview adds to a broader conversation about how governments and companies should respond to AI, climate risk and economic fragmentation. - More information about the show is available on Tomorrow, Today.