Donald Trump is now aiming his trade war squarely at China. As the tit-for-tat tariff battle keeps escalating, investors are fleeing to safe assets. What will happen next? Germany’s Friedrich Merz finally signs a deal for a coalition government (10:12). And remembering Betty Webb , who worked at Britain’s wartime codebreaking centre Bletchley Park (19:36). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more inf...
Apr 11, 2025•27 min
Just 12 hours after Donald Trump launched his searing regime of tariffs, he paused many of them for 90 days. What's next for global trade? An outlandish proposal to build data centres in space (8:14). And why “ The Great Gatsby ” is just as relevant, 100 years on (15:58). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our vi...
Apr 10, 2025•21 min
As Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs take effect, our correspondent explains how one of America’s most profitable companies may navigate the trade war. Are class divides in Britain softening (9:28)? And Republican influencers define what it is to be a conservative woman (16:08). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch o...
Apr 09, 2025•23 min
More than 36,000 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats last year. Our correspondent investigates the increasingly sophisticated business strategies of the criminals who smuggle them. As the planet heats, wildfires in East Asia are becoming fiercer and more frequent (10:36). And why ordinary Americans are falling out of love with their former international allies (18:31). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist...
Apr 08, 2025•25 min
Since Donald Trump announced punishing tariffs on “Liberation Day” last week, stock markets have fallen and governments and businesses scrambled to respond. Our correspondent discusses the impact on the global economy . Do personalised diets really improve gut health (9:16)? And gasp at the science of how seals spend so long underwater without breathing (16:13). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For mo...
Apr 07, 2025•21 min
South Korea has been paralysed since its president declared martial law in December. Even after his impeachment , politicians face a divided polity and battered economy. Why governments should pay attention to the “ Henry ” – High Earner, Not Rich Yet (9:49). And what tiffs over tofu teach us (15:38). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit...
Apr 04, 2025•21 min
After months of bluster, he’s finally done it. At a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, Donald Trump overturned decades of American trade policy with a simple signature. The new wave of trade restrictions , if implemented in full, will raise tariffs to the highest level in more than a century. So how bad could it get? Hosts: Mike Bird and Ethan Wu. Guests: The Economist ’s Simon Rabinovitch; and Douglas Irwin, a professor of economics at Dartmouth College. Transcripts of our podcasts are av...
Apr 03, 2025•47 min
Even in the run-up to Donald Trump’s “ Liberation Day ” tariff hikes, few had expected such colossal levies. Our correspondent explains how they will shake America’s economy and global trade. After Sudanese government forces retake Khartoum , will this alter the course of the civil war (10:32)? And Shonda Rhimes is shaping watching habits (18:12). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about ...
Apr 03, 2025•25 min
Months ago, holding an election in wartorn Ukraine seemed impossible. Now plans are being made. Our correspondent explains the prospects for the campaign – and the chance of a ceasefire, which must precede it. How did “The Economist” cover American tariff hikes in the 1930s (8:29)? And why daylight savings time may not be so brilliant for your health (16:14). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more ...
Apr 02, 2025•23 min
Marine Le Pen is one of France’s most popular politicians, who has brought the National Rally party to the heart of the political landscape. Our correspondent explains the implications of a court ruling that stops her running for president in 2027. Why rents keep rising in the rich world (8:29). And remembering Oleg Gordievsky , the Russian spy turned British agent (13:03). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podc...
Apr 01, 2025•20 min
Civil war in Myanmar is hampering relief efforts after the devastating earthquake on Friday, as the ruling military regime intensifies attacks on resistance fighters. The impact of Donald Trump’s attempt to silence “ Voice of America ” and other federally-funded broadcasters (8:45). And, “The Economist” reveals the best places to be a working woman in 2025 in its annual glass-ceiling index (17:37). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Su...
Mar 31, 2025•23 min
No surprises here: The Economist reckons tariffs are a terrible trade tool. But what is most clearly harming American businesses and scaring off investors is persistent uncertainty about them. Our correspondent sees the effects of one non-military donor to Ukraine: help not to fight but to preserve something worth fighting for (10:57). And why “ Adolescence ” tops Netflix’s viewing numbers the world over (19:54). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more informatio...
Mar 28, 2025•26 min
For Europe’s hard-right politicians, Donald Trump’s second White House bid looked like validation and opportunity. Now that he is in it, the tensions and trade-offs are becoming clear . The Houthis’ grip over Yemen and the Red Sea is only strengthening , even as other Iranian proxies are waning (10:03). And a look at the boom in Christian entertainment (15:51). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please vis...
Mar 27, 2025•22 min
The Conservative Party, led by a Trump-tinged populist, once had the polls locked up. That is changing radically now that Donald Trump is seen as a threat to the nation. Amid America’s foreign-policy misfires, China might choose to smooth diplomatic feathers and make friends; instead it, too, is muscle-flexing (8:14). And an unsettling new book typifies a rise in dystopian fiction (13:45). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Ec...
Mar 26, 2025•19 min
Put aside for the moment the outrageous security breach of a journalist being brought in on classified military planning: a leaked group chat reveals much about the Trump administration’s transactional, anti-European ethos. The story of a Nigerian senator shows how vile politics can be for the country’s women (10:23). And why not to be too bothered by colleagues stealing your ideas (16:26). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access E...
Mar 25, 2025•22 min
The ceasefire in Gaza is in tatters ; the campaign against Hizbullah is flaring up again. Yet the most telling battles are those happening inside Israel. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, is coolly dealing with the fitful aggression of her northern neighbour (10:25). And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Richard Fortey , a fossil obsessive who spent a career telling the world about trilobites (16:50). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information a...
Mar 24, 2025•23 min
America’s international intelligence-sharing relationships have been decades in the making and rely not on a treaty but trust. Could Donald Trump damage the powerful spy alliance? Why we may soon be buying cutting-edge medicines developed in China (11:00). And introducing a new regular feature, “ What to watch this weekend ” (17:39). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to a...
Mar 21, 2025•23 min
Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested just days before he was likely to be elected leader of Turkey’s opposition. Where does this leave Turkish democracy? What Panama’s concessions teach us about how to deal with Donald Trump (9:49). And how zoos help hospitals treat venomous snakebites (19:16). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page o...
Mar 20, 2025•26 min
Donald Trump hoped Vladimir Putin would agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Instead he made marginal concessions , then launched a missile attack. Our correspondent assesses the implications. Tesla’s falling sales are not just down to Elon Musk’s politics (9:42). And a flowering of literary erotica (15:40). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please vi...
Mar 19, 2025•22 min
After Israel launched dozens of missiles into Gaza overnight, what does this mean for the prospect of a lasting ceasefire ? As two stranded astronauts are rescued from the International Space Station, our correspondent explains how private investment has changed space exploration (9:10). And a cutesy animation wins plaudits from the Chinese Communist Party (18:09). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more ...
Mar 18, 2025•24 min
Donald Trump’s team has called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “the most incompetent and arrogant agency” in the federal government. Our correspondent talks to staff who fear that jobs and crucial public-health projects are under threat. Is silver the new gold (10:56)? And why live albums are staging a comeback (15:50). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access...
Mar 17, 2025•20 min
The International Criminal Court has arrested Rodrigo Duterte, a former president of the Philippines. The case highlights both the strengths and the weaknesses of international justice. We examine the spate of bombings plaguing Sweden—carried out by young people who are in it for the money (8:18). And remembering Athol Fugard , a playwright who spoke truth to power in South Africa’s apartheid era (17:04). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about ...
Mar 14, 2025•25 min
The Trump administration’s dedication to tariffs now seems more fervent than the first time around. Markets are noticing . We ask what might temper the trade war. Europe’s once-fringe hard-right parties are now leading polls , even if not yet leading governments; we look at where things are headed (11:07). And tackling the mythology behind people’s very first and very last words (16:47). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Econ...
Mar 13, 2025•22 min
The ceasefire proposal hatched by American negotiators and agreed by Ukraine is now a matter for Russia to consider. We ask how the not-yet-a-breakthrough will land in both countries. Our correspondents ask one of NATO’s very-top brass about Europe’s defence stance and how it should shift (10:44). And the shockingly life-shortening effects of loneliness (18:55). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please vi...
Mar 12, 2025•25 min
Horrifying attacks on Alawites, the sect of deposed leader Bashar al-Assad, throw into question the power—or the will—of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country’s leader, to maintain peace . For the first time in decades it now makes more sense to pay off a mortgage early (10:36). And high-end satellite data, once the preserve only of spies, could soon be available to all (16:19). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, p...
Mar 11, 2025•23 min
The governing Liberal party is enjoying a stunning turnaround in the polls, and now it has a new leader. We ask how Mark Carney will tussle with Donald Trump’s tariffs and taunts. China has a vibrant new wintertime economic sector: skiing and snowy tourism (10:45). And a tribute to Rose Girone , knitter extraordinaire and the oldest known Holocaust survivor (17:22). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, pleas...
Mar 10, 2025•24 min
After a turbulent seven days , how will President Volodymyr Zelensky tackle the domestic and international challenges ahead? Our correspondent attends “Ode to Resilience”, a concert of defiance in Ukraine (9:55). And how “The Economist” reported on the Allies’ advance across Europe in the second world war: a sample from our interactive archive (18:22). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information a...
Mar 07, 2025•23 min
The leader of Turkey’s Kurdish rebels has called on the group to disband. That could end one of the world’s longest running conflicts. How tariffs and political volatility may affect the American economy (10:16). And the craze for eating caviar … with chicken nuggets (18:33). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or wa...
Mar 06, 2025•25 min
American presidents often use their first meeting with Congress as a chance to lay out their agenda for the next four years. Donald Trump, by contrast, treated last night’s address like a campaign rally. Meet Ecuador’s tenacious anti-corruption champion (12:18). And co-host Jason Palmer plays an AI bot of Magnus Carlsen at chess (21:39). Jason Palmer v AI Magnus Carlsen: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. c3 Qe7 5. Nxd4 d5 6. Bb5 Qxe4+ 7. Ne2 Qxg2 8. Rg1 Qe4 9. Nd2 Qe7 10. b3 Nf6 11. Ba3 Qxa3 12....
Mar 05, 2025•28 min
In an effort to bring Ukraine to the negotiating table, America has paused military help to the war-torn country. What will this mean on the ground? Our correspondent explores a new cryptocurrency craze, visiting Turkey’s bazaars to meet people trading goods using stablecoins (9:43). And why the Louvre is staging its first fashion gala (16:00). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information abo...
Mar 04, 2025•23 min
