A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning.
Donald Trump launched a barrage of new tariffs on trading partners, and Tesla’s share price jumped on a report that chief executive Elon Musk could be leaving his US government role. Plus, the FT’s Ben Hall explains what’s next for Marie Le Pen now that France’s far-right leader has received a five-year ban from standing in elections. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump escalates global trade war with sweeping tariff blitz Elon Musk denies role in Trump administration is under pressure...
US venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz is in talks to invest in social media platform TikTok, US President Donald Trump is expected to lay out his sweeping tariffs policy today, and European inflation is down for the second straight month. Plus, Syria’s White Helmets have returned to Damascus as the country tries to rebuild from its brutal civil war. Mentioned in this podcast: Andreessen Horowitz in talks to help buy out TikTok’s Chinese owners What to expect on ‘liberation day’ Euro...
Google’s artificial intelligence arm DeepMind has been holding back the release of its world-renowned research, and Elon Musk has poured an unprecedented amount of money into a Wisconsin state supreme court race. Plus, Lebanon’s new central bank governor Karim Souaid has been mired in controversy. Mentioned in this podcast: DeepMind slows down research releases in battle to keep competitive edge The people vs Elon Musk: billionaire transforms Wisconsin court contest Lebanon closes in on ne...
Investors warn that higher bond yields in Germany could make it harder for EU members to increase defence spending, and the tech world’s largest public offering in 18 months fell flat on Friday. China was targeted by a record number of trade disputes at the World Trade Organization last year, and traders in Gaza are charging commissions of 30% on hard currency due to severe shortages. Mentioned in this podcast: Germany’s spending push drives up borrowing costs across Eurozone CoreWeave tre...
As Congress works through President Donald Trump’s recent budget, one of the likeliest cuts on the chopping block is Medicaid. The government health insurance programme is used by one in five Americans, including many voters who make up Trump’s Maga base. So could cuts to Medicaid actually threaten Trump’s hold on Republicans? Washington bureau chief James Politi and US politics and society correspondent Guy Chazan are on to discuss if a showdown is coming between the party’s fiscal hawks a...
US President Donald Trump’s auto tariffs hit carmaker shares and Chinese financial authorities have told some companies they can start launching mainland initial public offerings. Plus, protesters in Turkey are worried about the future of their democracy. Mentioned in this podcast: China opens path to revival in A-share listings Donald Trump’s tariffs throw car industry into turmoil Turkish protesters rise up against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Son...
The US will impose tariffs of 25 per cent on imports of foreign-made autos and Piyush Gupta will step down after 16 years as chief executive at Singapore’s DBS bank. UK inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.8 per cent in February, and Rolls-Royce has seen its share price skyrocket since 2023, in large part due to chief executive Tufan Erginbilgiç. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump to impose 25% tariff on US auto imports DBS and Jack Ma: how a meeting helped change the history of Singapore...
Beijing has introduced environmental restrictions that would prevent Chinese companies from buying Nvidia’s bestselling processors, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves will update the country on Wednesday on the latest economic growth forecasts, and Shell has said it will cut costs and spending, especially in clean energy. Plus, individual investors have pumped almost $70bn into US stocks this year even as professional money managers are slashing their exposure. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia’s China...
Sources tell the FT that China is considering including services in a multibillion-dollar subsidy programme to stimulate consumption, software giant SAP has become Europe’s most valuable company, and BYD’s annual sales have topped $100bn for the first time. Plus, Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to cement its dominance this year, but his ties to US President Donald Trump are shifting from an asset to a liability. Mentioned in this podcast: China explores services subsidy to boost weak domestic demand...
Canada’s new prime minister calls snap elections, European investors in US equities have been dealt a double blow, and carmakers try to get ahead of US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. Plus, a group of top tennis players has accused the game’s governing bodies of trapping them in an unfair system. Mentioned in this podcast: Mark Carney calls snap election for Canada citing ‘crisis’ caused by Trump Dollar slump magnifies stock market pain for foreign investors Carmakers rush to ship vehicles...
As US President Donald Trump dismantles agencies and challenges institutions across the federal government, Democrats still can’t decide how to oppose him. The FT’s global business columnist Rana Foroohar and Washington reporter Steff Chavez join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to discuss why Democrats’ inability to pick a strategy can prove costly. Mentioned in this podcast: The Democrats must make a choice Top Senate Democrat to back Republican bill to avert government shutdow...
European countries are considering how to take on greater responsibilities for the continent’s defence, the UK and the US are negotiating a trade deal to avoid tariffs, and has the Federal Reserve stopped leading the way on global monetary policy? Mentioned in this podcast: European military powers work on 5-10 year plan to replace US in Nato UK races to avoid worst of Trump tariffs with talks on tech tax What’s at stake in the US-UK trade talks? Newsletter: Chris Giles on Central Banks Th...
The Federal Reserve is still in wait-and-see mode, a handful of technology start-ups are expected to go public next month, and Turkish police have detained the main political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Plus, the campaign for International Olympic Committee president has shone a harsh light on the organization’s business model. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve cuts US growth forecast as Trump’s policies weigh on outlook Tech groups boost IPO revival hopes despit...
Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia’s military to refrain from striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days, and the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was broken after Israeli strikes killed more than 400 people on Tuesday. Boeing’s rescue mission highlights the company’s struggles in space. Plus, Germany’s parliament approves Friedrich Merz’s plans to boost defence spending. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin agrees 30-day halt to strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in call with Trump&nbs...
Vladimir Putin has allowed a group of western asset managers and hedge funds to offload Russian securities left in limbo by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, an FT analysis found that US listings often fail to boost companies’ valuations, and the Financial Conduct Authority is to ban Crispin Odey from the financial services industry. Plus, tech giant Jack Ma used artificial intelligence to fuel a major turnaround at Alibaba. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin lets western investors sell some Russian s...
HSBC and UBS are expanding their wealth management arms in India, and the consulting boom in Saudi Arabia is slowing down. Plus, global gold prices have soared on fears that President Donald Trump could impose tariffs on gold imports, and US retailers are preparing for fewer sales in 2025. Mentioned in this podcast: HSBC and UBS expand India wealth management arms after IPO boom Gold hits $3,000 for first time on global growth fears From London to New York via Switzerland: the booming trad...
This week, the value of the American dollar continued to decline. The plunge has been attributed to market volatility over President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs. But there are some on Trump’s economic team who have floated wanting to weaken the dollar intentionally. FT economics columnist Gillian Tett and Unhedged host Katie Martin join to discuss why the chaos that’s keeping investors worried may be a feature, not a bug. Mentioned in this podcast: Unhedged Podcast What a Mar-a-La...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated Moscow is unwilling to drop its maximalist demands over any deal to halt the fighting in Ukraine, and Intel’s new chief executive has made investors excited. Plus, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in a tough spot over how he handles tariffs from the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin voices doubts over US proposal for Ukraine ceasefire Intel shares soar after troubled chipmaker appoints Lip-Bu Tan as CEO ‘Whatever you charge, I’...
Elon Musk’s efficiency drive failed to prevent US federal spending rising to a record $603bn in February, European battery maker Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, and US inflation fell to 2.8% last month. Plus, China’s plan to revive Africa’s ‘freedom railway’ showcases Beijing’s leaner approach to overseas aid. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk’s cuts fail to stop US federal spending hitting new record Northvolt files for bankruptcy in Sweden US inflation fell more than ex...
The S&P 500 dipped into correction territory on Tuesday and Nissan has pushed out chief executive Makoto Uchida in the wake of the collapse of merger talks with Honda. Plus, banks are trying to catch up to one of the hottest trends in consumer finance: interest-free buy now, pay later loans. Mentioned in this podcast: Ukraine says it is willing to accept 30-day US-brokered ceasefire Wall Street sell-off pulls S&P 500 into correction territory Nissan pushes out chief Makoto Uchida a...
Wall Street stocks fell on Monday, and Pimco has recorded a 17% paper profit on its portion of a £3bn emergency loan that it and others are set to provide to ailing utility Thames Water. Plus, hundreds of people have been killed in Syria after clashes between pro-government and pro-Assad forces escalated into sectarian violence. Mentioned in this podcast: Wall Street stocks tumble as investors fret over US economic slowdown Is this dotcom bust 2.0? US condemns Syria violence after hundreds...
Canada’s Liberal party selects a new leader, and US President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Justice Department’s antitrust division is turning heads on Wall Street. Plus, US startups are raising more money than at any point since 2021, and why a gold boom in Ghana is driving up global chocolate prices. Mentioned in this podcast: Mark Carney to replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister Trump nominee unites right and left with tough antitrust view The illegal gold miners driving...
This episode of Swamp Notes discusses the growing rift between the U.S. and Europe under Trump's policies, focusing on defense, trade, and overall transatlantic relations. Gideon Rachman analyzes the implications of reduced U.S. support for Ukraine and Europe's increasing efforts towards self-sufficiency, including Germany's significant defense spending boost and potential economic shifts. The conversation explores whether Europe can emerge stronger from this 'divorce' and the potential long-term consequences for global alliances.
This episode of the FT News Briefing covers a range of financial and geopolitical topics. It begins with discussion of Donald Trump's crypto venture and its implications, then shifts to market reactions to Trump's tariff policies and Germany's debt plans. The episode concludes with analysis of the ECB's interest rate cut and the EU's increased focus on defense spending and support for Ukraine amidst changing transatlantic relations.
This episode discusses the US giving carmakers a one-month tariff reprieve, BlackRock's acquisition of Panama Canal ports amid Trump's interest, Germany's rising borrowing costs following a historic debt deal, and the Canadian Liberal Party's leadership election spurred by Trump's hostility towards Canada.
This episode discusses Taiwan's efforts to maintain US support under a potentially less favorable Trump administration, drawing parallels to Ukraine's situation. It also covers the recent decline in the private equity industry and how businesses are increasingly purchasing renewable energy directly from wind and solar farms, compensating for reduced government subsidies.
This episode of the FT News Briefing covers the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine, the potential impact of tariffs on the Chevrolet Silverado, and the recent drop in Eurozone inflation. It also explores why US defense stocks are underperforming compared to their European counterparts amid changing geopolitical priorities and potential budget cuts.
This episode covers European leaders seeking a Ukraine peace deal after a US fallout, Deutsche Bank's clashes with the ECB over risk management, and Donald Trump's announcement impacting cryptocurrency markets. It also discusses the challenges facing the US housing market due to high interest rates and immigration policy uncertainty.
This week, the White House said it would pick which reporters would get access to Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the US president has sued several press outlets for what he considers unfair coverage. Can the media do its job in this political landscape? The FT’s Washington bureau chief James Politi and Los Angeles bureau chief Chris Grimes examine the media climate. Mentioned in this podcast: White House to choose which reporters get close access to Donald Trump Donald Trump vs the media: US pre...
US President Donald Trump has said his administration is working on a trade deal with the UK , Santander’s incoming chief accounting officer is under criminal investigation in Brazil, and the pound is rebounding. Plus, DeepSeek’s advances have sparked a nationwide push in China to deploy its large language models everywhere from hospitals to local governments. Audio credit: The Independent Mentioned in this podcast: Trump says US is working on trade deal with the UK Sterling outshine...
