The Urgent Clean Energy, Small Modular Reactor Race with China

In this episode of Exploring Prosperity, we dive into the nuclear energy race that should define the 25 years. Host Robert Dewey and MacroVoices founder Erik Townsend explore how China is sprinting ahead with mass production of nuclear reactors—and why America is falling behind. With the U.S. now responding through a new executive order from President Trump ("REINVIGORATING THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRIAL BASE"), this conversation breaks down the urgent need for policy reform, mass-scale deployment of advanced reactors, and why this isn't just about energy—it's about global power. Thank you to our sponsors! Truflation: Learn about what prices are actually doing by going to https://truflation.com/ Foundation: Protect your Bitcoin using the latest off-line technology with easy-to-use Passport. Their next product, Passport Prime will protect all passwords off-line with even-better technology. https://foundation.xyz/ River Financial: If not cold storage for your Bitcoin, I’d highly recommend River for buying and holding- River is engineered to protect your Bitcoin over the long run. Use this link for discounts: https://river.com/signup?r=T7GGAF7G * 🔍 Topics covered: * China’s lead in nuclear reactor construction * The strategic importance of thorium-fueled molten salt reactors * Trump’s May 2025 executive order on nuclear innovation * How energy dominance translates to geopolitical dominance The role of U.S. national labs in reclaiming technological leadership 📈 Learn why nuclear energy is not just a climate solution—it’s a cornerstone of economic and military power in the 21st century. Chapters: 00:00 The Energy Dilemma: Balancing Growth and Sustainability 10:44 The Challenges of Nuclear Energy 13:18 Historical Context of Nuclear Technology 16:07 The Shift in Nuclear Research 17:18 The Role of Government in Nuclear Innovation 20:05 China's Advancements in Nuclear Technology 22:05 Future Directions for Nuclear Energy 23:01 Revolutionizing Reactor Coolants 24:04 The Future of Nuclear Energy 24:24 Economic Implications of Thorium Energy 28:39 Mass Production of Nuclear Reactors 29:57 Innovations in Turbine Technology 31:44 The Future of Nuclear Fusion 32:50 Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers 33:46 Safety of Molten Salt Reactors 34:51 Political Sentiment Towards Nuclear Energy 38:10 The Future of Energy and Nuclear Solutions 40:55 The Stakes of Nuclear Energy Dominance 40:56 Building the Future: Reactor Development This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertdewey3.substack.com/subscribe