The EU is planning to impose duties on substandard Chinese goods, Panama’s president wants to close the Darién gap, and Joe Biden is under pressure to explain his fitness to run for office. Plus, the FT’s Attracta Mooney explains how Denmark is implementing the world’s first carbon tax on agriculture. Mentioned in this podcast: EU takes aim at China’s Temu and Shein with proposed import duty Denmark to charge farmers €100 a cow in first carbon tax on agriculture Panama will close n...
Jul 03, 2024•11 min
Western banks have cut their workforces in China , the US Supreme Court ruled that former president Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for his ‘official’ actions, and Amazon has turned its first international profit in four years. Plus, the FT’s Leo Lewis explains how online competitors are affecting Japan’s regional banks. Mentioned in this podcast: Global investment banks’ China expansion goes into retreat US Supreme Court says Donald Trump immune for ‘official acts’ as president Amazon’...
Jul 02, 2024•10 min
Marine Le Pen’s far-right party has battered President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance in the first round of snap parliamentary elections, US stock markets performing better than expected at the midyear point, and Morgan Stanley will join Goldman and JPMorgan in scrapping UK bonus caps. Mentioned in this podcast: French voters turn out in record numbers Wall Street’s last remaining bears struggle to convince optimistic clients Morgan Stanley to join Goldman and JPMorgan in scrapping UK...
Jul 01, 2024•9 min
Martin Wolf is worried about the threat autocrats pose to liberal democracies. Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, but in many places, populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. In this episode, Martin spells out his concerns to the FT’s executive opinion editor, Jonathan Derbyshire, and they discuss what Martin has gleaned from hi...
Jun 30, 2024•36 min
Joe Biden went into Thursday night’s CNN presidential debate hoping to assuage concerns over his mental acuity and fitness for office. But his performance only heightened those concerns — and may even force Democrats to reconsider their standard-bearer. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and Washington reporter, Steff Chavez, join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to explain why. Credit: CNN Presidential Debate, NBC News, ABC News Mentioned in this podcast: Democrats panic...
Jun 29, 2024•12 min
The US is inviting foreign ministers from Israel and Arab countries to the Nato summit next month, EY’s new global chief executive confirmed that the firm will not split in two, and Thames Water is on the brink of a financial collapse. Plus, the FT’s Lucy Fisher explains why immigration is an important issue in the UK elections. Mentioned in this podcast: US invites Arab and Israeli ministers to Nato anniversary summit New EY chief rules out reviving plan to split Big Four firm in t...
Jun 28, 2024•11 min
JPMorgan is adding India's sovereign debt to its emerging markets index, and violent protests in Kenya stopped its president from signing a bill that would raise taxes. Plus, the FT’s Harry Dempsey explains why the US wants to lift sanctions on a billionaire to gain access to minerals in Africa. Mentioned in this podcast: India braced for billions of dollars of inflows as bonds added to JPMorgan index Kenya’s president drops tax rises after deadly protests Billionaire under s...
Jun 27, 2024•12 min
Shares of electric vehicle start-up Rivian surged in extended trading after Volkswagen announced a plan to invest up to $5bn, global investment in clean energy is set to hit $2tn and the EU charged Microsoft for violating antitrust laws yesterday. Plus, the FT’s Emma Agyemang explains why a deadlock in the US Senate is threatening to upend a global tax treaty. Mentioned in this podcast: Rivian shares soar on Volkswagen plan to invest up to $5bn Clean tech investment set to hit $2tn in 2024  ...
Jun 26, 2024•12 min
Chinese executives are trying to avoid US tariffs by relocating manufacturing, a growing number of wealthy foreigners in the UK are planning on leaving the country, and Brazilian financial markets have been performing poorly. Plus, the FT’s Tim Bradshaw explains whether Nvidia is on a crash course similar to some of the dotcom darlings from the 2000s tech bubble. Mentioned in this podcast: Chinese companies seek assurances from Malaysia over US tariffs Can Nvidia stay at the heart of...
Jun 25, 2024•11 min
The EU has devised a legal workaround to sidestep Hungary’s veto on buying weapons for Ukraine, investment vehicles that scoop up risky loans are being launched at a record rate in Europe this year, and agencies representing TikTok’s biggest advertisers are drawing up contingency plans as the US prepares to ban the popular video app. Plus, Amazon and Microsoft are scaling up infrastructure investments for artificial intelligence in India. Mentioned in this podcast: EU devises legal loophol...
Jun 24, 2024•11 min
Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, and in many places, populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. Fiona Hill, who served as senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council in the Trump White House from 2017 to 2019, tells Martin Wolf about the parallels she sees between Donald Trump and Vladimir P...
Jun 23, 2024•33 min
Americans have inflation and foreign policy on their minds this election. That means that President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate achievements aren’t resonating with voters – especially young voters – the way his administration expected. The FT’s US climate reporter, Aime Williams, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to explain why. Credit: ESPN Mentioned in this podcast: How Joe Biden’s climate push fell flat with Gen Z voters Why Americans are ...
Jun 22, 2024•15 min
Credit agencies have misrated more than $100bn of commercial real estate debt, new election polls suggest the UK could be in for a seismic political shift, and the Philippines has been secretly reinforcing a dilapidated warship marooned on a South China Sea reef. Plus, drilling for naturally occurring hydrogen gas was deemed unfeasible, but prospectors now think differently. Mentioned in this podcast: Poll predicts Rishi Sunak to lose seat in Tory wipeout Why we can’t be sure of the size of the ...
Jun 21, 2024•12 min
Hamas-backed militants orchestrate bank heists, the ECB raises alarm over Eurozone debt, Malaysia courts Chinese investment, and Softbank debuts “EmotionCancelling” AI. Mentioned in this podcast: Premier Li Qiang’s visit has Malaysia wanting more from China pivot Armed gangs stage bank heists in Gaza This episode of FT News Briefing was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Fiona Symon, Persis Love, Mischa Frankl-Duval. Additional help from Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Bre...
Jun 20, 2024•11 min
Nvidia capitalises on investor excitement over artificial intelligence, Japan’s TDK is claiming a breakthrough in materials used in its small solid-state batteries, and Silicon Valley companies are screening their staff for Chinese spying. Plus, the FT’s Saffeya Ahmed unpacks Shein’s tumultuous journey to go public. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia vaults past Apple and Microsoft to become world’s most valuable company Apple supplier TDK claims solid-state battery breakthrough Behind the ...
Jun 19, 2024•12 min
French business leaders are warming up to France’s far-right and Dubai is trying to optimise a cluster of unique, abandoned islands. Plus, the FT’s Cristina Criddle explains why OpenAI is expanding its global affairs unit. Mentioned in this podcast: French businesses court Marine Le Pen after taking fright at left’s policies OpenAI expands lobbying team to influence regulation Bill Gross seeks to set record by selling stamp collection for up to $20mn The FT News Briefing is produced by Fio...
Jun 18, 2024•11 min
Major defence companies are recruiting workers at the fastest rate since the end of the cold war, global leaders were able to reach a consensus on major issues during the G7 summit, and big Chinese companies are turning to the convertible bond market. Plus, investors are flocking to the local currency bonds of one-time emerging market pariahs. Mentioned in this podcast: Chinese companies rush to tap US convertible bond market Frontier emerging markets lure investors back with high yields G...
Jun 17, 2024•11 min
Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries and in many places, populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. But India, the world’s biggest democracy, bucked the trend with Narendra Modi’s relatively weak election victory in June. In the third of this five-part series, the FT’s renowned economics commentator, Martin Wolf, and Raghuram Rajan, ...
Jun 16, 2024•43 min
Margaret Thatcher’s election in 1979 foreshadowed Ronald Reagan’s a year later, and the Brexit vote in 2016 took place just months before Donald Trump’s stunning presidential victory. The FT’s Whitehall editor, Lucy Fisher, and US politics news editor, Derek Brower, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why British and American politics often rhyme, and what the phenomenon could mean for upcoming elections in both countries. Mentioned in this podcast: Parallel US and UK elections could b...
Jun 15, 2024•14 min
Chinese electric vehicle makers look like they will survive the latest tariffs the EU announced this week, and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer laid out his party’s manifesto. Plus, Toyota is caught up in a scandal. Will it matter during next week’s shareholder meeting? Mentioned in this podcast: Japan’s top carmakers caught in widening testing scandal What the EU’s tariffs on electric vehicles mean for China Keir Starmer sets out plans to raise £8.6bn in tax at Labour manifesto launch The FT N...
Jun 14, 2024•11 min
The Federal Reserve held borrowing costs at a 23-year high yesterday, and Terraform Labs has agreed to pay $4.47bn in a case brought by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Plus, tech companies launch a fight against a proposed California law to introduce a ‘kill switch’ on AI models. Mentioned in this podcast: Fed officials signal just one interest rate cut before end of 2024 Silicon Valley in uproar over Californian AI safety bill US inflation falls to 3.3% in May in boost to...
Jun 13, 2024•9 min
Shari Redstone has ended talks with Skydance Media over a deal to control Paramount, the number of central banks seeking to increase their exposure to the US dollar has increased sharply this year, the EU plans to put hefty tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and the UK Tories' manifesto lays out billions in tax cuts. Plus, the FT’s Christine Murray explains why Mexico's peso slid after president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum proposed reforms. Mentioned in this podcast: EU to impose multi-billion eu...
Jun 12, 2024•11 min
Apple on Monday said it has partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, and private equity groups are snapping up US accounting firms. Plus, President Emmanuel Macron stunned France on Sunday when he called snap parliamentary elections. The FT’s Leila Abboud unpacks what happens next for the country. Mentioned in this podcast: Apple partners with OpenAI as it rolls out new artificial intelligence system Private equity groups poised to own one in three top US accounting fir...
Jun 11, 2024•11 min
Far right parties make significant gains in the European Union elections, opposition politician Benny Gantz has resigned from Israel’s emergency government, and Iranian authorities have disqualified prominent moderates as candidates in the snap presidential election. Plus, global investors are turning their backs on sustainability-focused stock funds. Mentioned in this podcast: Far-right parties make significant gains in European parliament elections Investors pull cash from ESG funds as perform...
Jun 10, 2024•12 min
Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, making this a pivotal year for democracy. But these polls come as populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. In the second of this five-part series, the FT’s renowned economics commentator, Martin Wolf, speaks to the author and journalist Anne Applebaum, who’s witnessed first hand some of the sei...
Jun 09, 2024•36 min
Few of Silicon Valley’s biggest names supported Donald Trump in 2016 or 2020. Now, some of them are holding multimillion- dollar fundraisers for him. The FT’s US business and politics correspondent, Alex Rogers, and tech correspondent, Hannah Murphy, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why Big Tech is abandoning Joe Biden. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump fundraiser latest sign of support in Silicon Valley Silicon Valley elite warms to Donald Trump Biden camp hits out at Elon Mu...
Jun 08, 2024•13 min
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the first time in nearly five years, and the European Commission will recommend the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine this month. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how optimistic we should be about a revival of the London Stock Exchange. Mentioned in this podcast: ECB cuts interest rates for first time in five years A cautious revival of the London IPO market Ukraine ready for EU membership talks, Brussels says The FT News Brie...
Jun 07, 2024•11 min
Nvidia’s market value briefly rose past $3tn to overtake Apple as the world’s second-most valuable company, South Africa’s African National Congress party is considering the formation of a national unity government with rival parties, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused on Wednesday by Sir Keir Starmer of “resorting to lies” over Labour’s tax plans. Plus, a US appeals court has tossed out new rules that would have forced private equity and hedge funds to be more transparent. Mentioned ...
Jun 06, 2024•12 min
Gazprom is unlikely to recover gas sales lost as a result of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine for at least a decade, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to win a historic third term, job openings, vacancies and quits data provided more evidence of a cooling labour market in the US. Plus, Opec+ might be losing ground in its fight to prop up oil prices. Mentioned in this podcast: Gazprom badly hurt by Ukraine war, says company-commissioned report Narendra Modi set to l...
Jun 05, 2024•9 min
US President Joe Biden is moving to sharply tighten immigration rules at the southern border with Mexico, Indian markets hit record highs after exit polls forecast a landslide election win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, food delivery apps put new focus on profits despite slower growth following the coronavirus pandemic, and a new podcast from the Financial Times explores the fallout since Qatargate. Mentioned in this podcast: Food delivery apps rack up $20bn in losses in fierce battle f...
Jun 04, 2024•11 min
