Ep 13. Jun 3, 2018

In the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which premiered on June 3, 2018, the host delves into a variety of topics including the G7 Summit, the impact of trade wars, and the recent outbreak of E. coli in the United States.

Oliver begins by discussing the upcoming G7 Summit, which is set to take place in Quebec, Canada, and is expected to involve leaders from seven of the world's most powerful economies – the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. He explains that the summit is typically used to discuss a variety of important issues, from global trade to climate change to international security.

However, he notes that this year's summit is expected to be fraught with tension, particularly due to recent actions taken by President Trump. Specifically, Oliver highlights Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal as a major point of contention, as well as the president's recent decision to enact tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from several key U.S. allies.

Oliver then pivots to a discussion on the broader impact of trade wars, explaining that tariffs can often have unintended consequences that hurt consumers and the global economy. He notes that many American companies rely on imported materials to produce their goods, which will become more expensive if tariffs are enacted, and that retaliatory tariffs from other countries could hurt U.S. exports.

Next, Oliver turns his attention to the recent outbreak of E. coli in the United States, which has been linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region. He explains that the outbreak has sickened dozens of people across the country and has been difficult to contain due to the complex nature of the produce supply chain.

Oliver uses this example to illustrate the need for greater transparency in the food industry and for stronger regulations to protect public health. He notes that the current system, in which food growers, manufacturers, and distributors are largely left to police themselves, is not effective.

Finally, Oliver takes aim at the cosmetics industry, which he argues is in need of greater regulation as well. He notes that many cosmetics contain harmful chemicals that can cause serious health problems, from cancer to hormonal disruption to skin irritation.

Oliver notes that the European Union has already taken steps to regulate the cosmetics industry, banning more than 1,300 potentially harmful chemicals from use in cosmetics. However, he argues that the United States has been slow to follow suit and that many Americans are unaware of the risks associated with common cosmetics ingredients.

Overall, the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver offers a wide-ranging take on some of the most pressing issues facing the global community today. Oliver's unique blend of humor, insight, and cutting-edge research is sure to educate and entertain viewers.