Trump is returning to office with many of the same policies that characterised his last term. And for economists, none looms larger than the prospect of significant new tariffs. But are tariffs really as destructive as feared? After all, the Biden administration maintained most of them and the economy has remained strong. Today on the show, we put the question to Kimberly Clausing, a professor at UCLA, and formerly lead economist in the Biden administration's Office for Tax Policy. Soumaya Keyne...
Dec 01, 2024•33 min
French bond markets take a tumble, Russia threatens a hypersonic missile attack on Kyiv, and Ireland goes to the polls. Plus, Hong Kong’s crypto play. Mentioned in this podcast: Crime boss takes on Sinn Féin leader and Brussels veteran in Dublin election Hong Kong plans crypto tax break for hedge funds and billionaire families Vladimir Putin threatens to turn Kyiv targets ‘to dust’ French bond yields surpass Greece’s for first time as budget worries swirl The FT News Briefing is produced by Misc...
Nov 29, 2024•11 min
Vivendi prepares to spin off Canal+ for a London listing. Christine Lagarde says trade wars threaten global GDP. Sir Alex Younger, former head of UK’s MI6, discusses Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s proposed director of national intelligence. Plus, Adani Group’s infrastructure projects in Kenya hit a roadblock. Mentioned in this podcast: London’s snaring of France’s Canal+ to revive moribund listing market ‘Adios Adani!’ Bribery charges threaten group’s Africa ambitions The FT News Briefing is prod...
Nov 28, 2024•11 min
Israeli and Lebanese leaders agree to a ceasefire, and Mexico hits back at US president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff plans. Plus, President Joe Biden is rushing to cement his legacy during his final weeks in office, and Russia’s rouble has plummeted to its lowest rate against the dollar since the first weeks of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: Ceasefire deal reached in Israel-Lebanon war Mexico hits back as Trump’s tariff threat shakes markets Biden aims to Trump-pro...
Nov 27, 2024•10 min
The US Department of Justice is seeking to drop two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, and Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination for top health role is concerning the pharmaceutical industry. Plus, Italy’s UniCredit has launched a €10bn takeover bid for domestic rival Banco BPM, Brussels is planning to force Chinese companies to transfer intellectual property in return for EU subsidies and TikTok is creating an unlikely frontrunner in Romania’s presidential race. Mentioned in this podcast: ...
Nov 26, 2024•11 min
Huawei is poised to launch its first flagship phone that can run its own apps, and Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Treasury is seen across Wall Street and Washington as a pragmatic pick. COP29 has produced a new global finance deal against considerable odds, and the FT’s Michael Stott warns that the US is being eclipsed by China in Latin America. Mentioned in this podcast: Huawei to launch flagship smartphone with breakthrough software ‘Sigh of relief’: Wall Street welcomes Donald Trump’s pick...
Nov 25, 2024•12 min
Michael Clemens of George Mason University is an expert on the economics of migration, and a scholar of its history. With the newly elected President Trump promising to deport millions of immigrants, we thought it was the perfect time to talk about what illegal immigrants mean to the present economy and, more pressingly, what an economy without them might look like. If you want to learn more about The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes, click here . New episodes available on Apple , Spotify , Po...
Nov 24, 2024•31 min
Donald Trump mostly nominated mainstream conservatives to his first cabinet after the 2016 election. Some high-level appointees back then barely knew Trump, but this time around, he’s selected close allies and loyalists. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor, and Trump’s short-tenured former communications director Anthony Scaramucci join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss what Trump’s picks say about how his new White House will operate. Mentioned in this podcast: Lutnick and Bes...
Nov 23, 2024•19 min
Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for US attorney-general, and billionaire Gautam Adani faces charges over an alleged scheme to bribe Indian officials. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and FT economics columnist Chris Giles unpacks just how much tariffs will increase prices in the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Matt Gaetz withdraws as Trump’s nominee for attorney-general Indian billionaire Gautam Adani...
Nov 22, 2024•12 min
Nvidia’s third-quarter revenue almost doubled from a year ago, and UK inflation accelerated in October as energy prices rose. Disgraced Archegos founder Bill Hwang is sentenced to 18 years in prison for fraud, and China has prepared powerful countermeasures to retaliate against US companies if president-elect Donald Trump reignites a trade war. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia revenue nearly doubles as AI chip demand remains strong UK inflation accelerates sharply to 2.3% in October More growth...
Nov 21, 2024•11 min
Bridgewater is joining forces with State Street’s asset management arm to offer an ETF, Ukraine has struck a military target inside Russia using US-made long-range missiles for the first time, and Walmart’s third-quarter revenue beat forecasts. Plus, Asia’s arms makers and naval shipbuilders are leading a global surge in defence stocks. Mentioned in this podcast: Bridgewater opens strategy to retail investors through State Street ETF Ukraine strikes Russia with US-made long-range missiles for fi...
Nov 20, 2024•11 min
Israel says it struck a “specific component” of Iran’s nuclear programme last month, and US business leaders are warning Donald Trump’s deportation plan could create mass labour shortages. Vanguard’s retail shareholders can now vote for profit over ESG issues, and Chinese tech companies are building AI teams in Silicon Valley, despite Washington’s sanctions. Mentioned in this podcast: Netanyahu says Israel hit ‘specific component’ in Iran’s nuclear programme last month Business owners warn Donal...
Nov 19, 2024•10 min
President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to launch limited strikes into Russia using US-made long-range missiles, and the world’s largest economies are gathering in Brazil for a G20 summit overshadowed by Donald Trump. The US dollar is rallying, as markets expect that the next administration will reignite inflation. Meanwhile, the president-elect’s tariff proposals have sent European markets tumbling. Plus, offshore oil is back. Mentioned in this podcast: Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia ...
Nov 18, 2024•12 min
Who will corporate America's winners and losers be under four more years of Donald Trump? This week, the FT’s Brooke Masters, Stephen Morris and Jamie Smyth explain what changes a second Trump administration will bring to three crucial sectors: Wall Street, tech and energy. This is an episode of the Financial Times podcast Behind the Money. If you like what you hear, click here to listen to more episodes . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: Can the renewable...
Nov 17, 2024•21 min
The Democratic party is hardly monolithic. But if there’s one thing that’s kept it together over the past decade, it’s been a shared opposition to Donald Trump. Now that Trump is returning to the White House, how will the party try to win voters back? The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor and US national editor and columnist Ed Luce join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to discuss how the Democrats are thinking about the future. Mentioned in this podcast: ‘They don’t understand my ...
Nov 16, 2024•16 min
The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft’s cloud computing business, and the FT’s Katie Martin explains why the post-election excitement around crypto comes down to vibes and vision. Plus, Disney’s earnings jumped 39 per cent, and Berkshire Hathaway has investors asking questions after filling its coffers by unwinding its most profitable trade. Mentioned in this podcast: FTC to investigate Microsoft over cloud dominance Bit...
Nov 15, 2024•12 min
Republican John Thune will be the next leader of the Senate, and the president-elect gets to work filling out his cabinet. Plus, US inflation rose to 2.6 per cent in October, as the Federal Reserve debates whether to cut interest rates next month. Plus, activist investor Effissimo Capital Management has taken a stake in struggling carmaker Nissan. Mentioned in this podcast: John Thune elected to Senate leadership in rebuke to Trump allies Donald Trump picks Matt Gaetz as attorney-general Donald ...
Nov 14, 2024•10 min
Donald Trump’s ‘hush money’ case has been paused, Ukraine has been building on its ‘victory plan’ for his incoming administration and SoftBank reported that it is profitable again. Plus, Wall Street has loaned billions of dollars to a niche group of tech companies based on their possession of Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips. Mentioned in this podcast: New York judge delays decision on Donald Trump’s ‘hush money’ sentencing Ukraine seeks to win over Trump with natural resources and troop p...
Nov 13, 2024•11 min
Calendar year inflows in to exchange traded funds surpassed their previous full-year record at the end of October, and we look at how Donald Trump’s win ushers in a new era for Elon Musk. Plus, rival groups of bondholders are vying to extend loans to the troubled UK utility Thames Water. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk’s gamble on Donald Trump pays off How Thames Water became a battleground for hedge funds ETF flows smash full year record The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fion...
Nov 12, 2024•11 min
Donald Trump’s election victory has sent shockwaves across the renewable energy industry, and China has announced fiscal stimulus to bail out local governments. Bitcoin hit $80,000 for the first time as cryptocurrency investors anticipate looser regulations under Trump, and Argentina’s legal battles could complicate President Javier Milei’s attempts to fix the country’s struggling economy. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump election victory deals blow to US clean energy industry China unveils $1.4...
Nov 11, 2024•11 min
The Republicans swept to power in Tuesday’s election, winning the White House, the Senate, and probably the House of Representatives. Voter dissatisfaction with the economy played a big part in their success. The FT’s Washington bureau chief James Politi and global business columnist Rana Foroohar join this election week episode of Swamp Notes to explain why Democrats failed to deliver a convincing economic message, and what Donald Trump’s disruptive agenda could mean for the US economy. Mention...
Nov 09, 2024•20 min
US stocks rallied after Donald Trump’s election victory, but the euphoria could be short-lived if his policies drive up inflation. Plus, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has called for snap elections as early as January following the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s government, and Trump’s victory is set to cast a pall over the UN COP29 summit next week. Mentioned in this podcast: Risk assets rally but bond market views Donald Trump’s victory with caution Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for ...
Nov 08, 2024•10 min
Wall Street stocks hit a record high but investors dumped bonds after Donald Trump’s historic US election victory, and the FT’s Lauren Fedor explains what to expect from his agenda. In Europe, leaders have vowed to preserve a united front and work with Trump, and export-reliant economies across the world brace for his promised tariff increases. Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks hit record high after Donald Trump clinches victory Donald Trump elected US president in historic comeback Donald Tr...
Nov 07, 2024•10 min
A divided US electorate made their choice at the polls yesterday, after candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump spent a combined $3.5bn in their race for the White House. Plus, Germany’s government is in talks on next year’s budget amid fears the coalition could collapse. Mentioned in this podcast: US election 2024 live results: US voters make their choice in historically tight election Donald Trump and Kamala Harris spend $3.5bn in most expensive presidential election German vice-chancellor e...
Nov 06, 2024•11 min
The dollar weakened on Monday as global markets reined in their bets on a victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election, and the Financial Times’ James Politi explains what to look out for as results trickle in. Plus, Spain’s prime minister is facing political backlash over the country’s historic flooding and the Nigeria-based fintech Moniepoint has gained “unicorn” status. Mentioned in this podcast: Dollar weakens as investors rein in bets on Trump victory Spain’s political leaders t...
Nov 05, 2024•11 min
Chinese authorities are demanding wealthy individuals and companies double-check their taxes for unpaid liabilities, and the largest US companies are facing two starkly different financial futures after the election. The UK Conservative party elects right-wing Kemi Badenoch as leader, and share prices of clean hydrogen companies have collapsed due to delayed projects and dwindling demand. Mentioned in this podcast: China piles pressure on rich people and companies to cough up taxes What’s at sta...
Nov 04, 2024•11 min
In a campaign full of twists and turns, one thing has stayed surprisingly steady: the polls. On this final pre-election episode of Swamp Notes, the FT’s senior data journalist Oliver Roeder and deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor explain why the polls have barely budged this cycle, and how Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are motivating their voters in the race’s final days. Mentioned in this podcast: One week to go: what is the state of the US presidential race? What the polls can’t tell ...
Nov 02, 2024•16 min
Apple reported solid revenue growth in the past quarter , and investors are worried about the additional borrowing set out in UK chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget. The US warned that North Korean troops are expected to enter combat alongside Russia’s army in the coming days, and Spain is set to become the world’s fastest-growing major advanced economy this year. Mentioned in this podcast: Apple’s revenue beats Wall Street expectations on higher iPhone sales UK borrowing costs hit highest level th...
Nov 01, 2024•9 min
Microsoft’s quarterly revenue rose 16% on strong cloud computing demand, the UK’s Labour party reveals bold tax increases and borrowing, and the US economy grew at an annualised rate of 2.8% in the third quarter. Plus, critics cry foul over a proof of citizenship law in Arizona. Mentioned in this podcast: Microsoft’s revenue beats estimates on strong cloud demand from AI boom Rachel Reeves announces £40bn tax increase in UK Budget Arizona’s proof of citizenship complicates voting in US swing sta...
Oct 31, 2024•13 min
Alphabet’s profit jumped 34 per cent in the third quarter, and Israel’s parliament approved legislation on Monday that will ban a UN agency for Palestinian refugees from operating within Israeli territory. The US and Taiwan are preparing to negotiate a new tax agreement, and mobile chip designer Arm may try to rival Nvidia. Mentioned in this podcast: Google’s profits beat expectations on strong cloud computing growth Israeli parliament passes law banning UN Palestinian refugee agency US and Taiw...
Oct 30, 2024•12 min
