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World Business Report

BBC World Servicewww.bbc.co.uk

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

Episodes

Xi Jingping hits back at US tariffs

Chinese leader Xi Jingping hits back at US tariffs as he starts his tour of East Asia, stating ‘The Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner’ OPEC - the cartel of oil producing countries - has cut its forecast for growth in oil demand for 2025- in part because of US tariffs And entertainment giant Sony will charge more for its Playstation 5 gaming console in response to the threat of US tariffs

Apr 14, 202526 min

Global markets in flux as trade war between China and US escalates

The White House has insisted that President Trump’s tariffs will make the United States richer, despite the falling value of the US dollar. We hear from Tomas Philipson a former acting chairman of President Trump's Council of Economic Advisers. Also, a global deal to tackle shipping emissions has been agreed after nearly ten years of negotiations. The UN's maritime agency (the IMO) brokered the accord, which requires ship owners to use less carbon-intensive fuels or face a penalty. Roger Hearing...

Apr 11, 202526 min

China US trade fight intensifies

The US -China trade fight has just intensified as China has upped tariffs on US imports to 125% We look at the US agriculture sector which accounts for over 20% of US exports to China and valued at $36 billion in 2022. And what does tariffs mean for consumer sentiment? We hear from shoppers in New York

Apr 11, 202526 min

Donald Trump recognises tariff 'transition difficulty' as US stock market falls again

President Donald Trump admits a period of difficult transition is inevitable as his trade policies continue to cause upheaval in international markets. And after the end of the Cold War, the world economy became integrated, and globalisation began, but is that at risk now because of the tariffs, trade war and protectionism? Presenter Roger Hearing speaks to Mohamed El Erian, former IMF Deputy Director who is now President of Queens' College, Cambridge, and chief. Also, a general strike against p...

Apr 10, 202526 min

EU pauses retaliation tariffs against US

The EU has paused retaliation tariffs against US. Spokesman for European Commission, Olof Gill, said the EU was ready to negotiate President Trump has hiked tariffs on Chinese goods by 125%, and the WTO is warning that trade between the U.S. and China could plunge by as much as 80%. We hear from the Asia Development Bank. And how are businesses and economies there coping as global trade routes shift and uncertainty grows? We speak to Dr Stavros Nicolaou, who sits on the executive committee of th...

Apr 10, 202526 min

China now faces 125% US tariffs in trade war

In a dramatic change of policy, US President Donald Trump hikes China tariffs to 125% on goods entering the United States. Most other countries will now see a 90-day pause on higher import taxes. We hear from Everett Eissenstat, an international economics adviser in the first Trump White House, and Natasha Sarin, who advised Janet Yellen when she was Treasury Secretary. Also, Graham Allison from Harvard Business School shares his analysis after recent meetings with President Xi Jinping in Beijin...

Apr 09, 202526 min

China retaliates to US tariffs

China retaliated to US tariffs with a 84% levy on American goods How has the US bond market been reacting to the news of Chinese tariffs? Russ Mould from investment firm AJ Bell joins us to tell us more And Vietnam is facing a 46% tariff on its major exports to the US. Textiles is one of the country’s biggest exports. We hear from garment manufacturer Pham Quang Anh

Apr 09, 202529 min

Will tariffs lead to a global recession?

This episode of World Business Report explores the potential impact of US tariffs on the global economy. Experts discuss the risk of recession, the perspectives of businesses both supporting and negatively affected by the tariffs, and China's likely response. The report also touches on the long-term implications for global trade and supply chains.

Apr 08, 202526 min

China fights back

China says it will “fight to the end” amid fears of a tariff war with the US. Devina Gupta presents from Delhi and looks at the reaction to President Trump threatening fresh tariffs on China. Can China look to the EU instead? We talk to the European Commission to ask if trade relations between the two could now thaw. Plus, with a declining fertility rate, South Korea’s government is looking to increase immigration, despite it being a widely unpopular policy.

Apr 08, 202526 min

A rollercoaster ride for the markets

The US stock markets ended on a fall to complete a volatile day for economies around the World. President Donald Trump's tariffs have been felt in markets around the globe, with the Americas, Europe and Asia all shaken after a volatile day. Rahul Tandon speaks to an small business in California on how the impact of any tariff battle will affect their business. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

Apr 07, 202526 min

Wild stock market swings

Stock markets are the world are hugely volatile after the imposition of US tariffs EU Trade Ministers have met in Luxembourg to discuss Trumps tariffs. Sam Fenwick speaks to Spain’s Finance Minister, Carlos Cuerpo. Asian markets led the way with big selloffs. We speak to Yeo Han-koo, South Korea's former finance minister.

Apr 07, 202526 min

Wall Street reels after Trump tariff shock wipes trillions off markets

Wall Street closes one of its wildest weeks in years, reeling from the impact of Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on global imports. The S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow all plunged. We assess the fallout with our US Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury in New York, and speak to Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles—the largest container port in North America—about what it means for trade and supply chains. With trillions wiped off share values, what does it mean ...

Apr 04, 202526 min

China retaliates with extra tariffs on US goods

Global stock markets have continued to plunge in response to President Trump's tariff announcement. This comes as China has announced retaliation tax of 34% against the United States for the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. However, India is taking a different approach to China, although it was hoping to reach a deal with the US before Trump imposed 27% tariffs. Rob Young will hear from a former India Commerce Secretary. And what does it mean for Lesotho, the 50% tariffs imposed on the...

Apr 04, 202526 min

Donald Trump defends tariffs on US imports

Donald Trump defends tariffs on US imports. This is despite Wall Street suffering its worst day since the early months of the Covid pandemic. The Dow Jones fell by nearly four percent. Pharmaceuticals have been excluded from the 20% tariffs on all EU exporters. Gareth Sheridan, the founder of Nutriband inc. from Dublin tells us more And why have Japanese convenience stores caught the attention of North America. The BBC’s Ruth Alexander reports

Apr 04, 202526 min

Global markets slide as Trump tariffs hit stocks

World leaders, businesses, and consumers have started to grapple with what tariffs announced by the US president Donald Trump really mean. Global markets are already reacting, with volatility in stocks, currency shifts, and businesses weighing the costs of these tariffs. China has angrily condemned Donald Trump's announcement of swingeing tariff increases on imports from around the world. These tariffs hit hardest to some of the world's poorest countries, including Cambodia, Bangladesh and Laos....

Apr 03, 202526 min

Trump unveils broad new tariffs

US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping set of new tariffs targeting countries that export products to the United States. The announcement includes a significant 34 percent tariff on imports from China and a 20 percent tariff on goods from the European Union. The White House stated that the tariffs are designed to be ''reciprocal'', aiming to address what it views as unfair trade practices. Rahul Tandon gets reactions on the potential impact of these tariffs.

Apr 02, 202528 min

Trump's tariffs "Liberation Day" arrives

Global leaders are warning of the negative impact across the world ahead of Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs – expected to be announced later. The White House says President Trump wants to improve American competitiveness in what it's calling "liberation day". Analysts say US importers would be likely to pass on the costs to consumers, leading to higher prices. Andrew Peach will hear from our correspondents from around the world and how people are waiting for Trump’s announcement and speak to...

Apr 02, 202526 min

What do we know about ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs?

What do we know about Donal Trumps ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs? On Wednesday Trump will announce the tariffs the US will impose on its trading partners Argentina’s poverty rate has fallen dramatically. Argentinien journalist Fermin Koop tells us more And Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan have been confirmed as part of the all-star line-up who will play members of the Beatles in four major new films about the band

Apr 02, 202526 min

Vietnam seeks deal with US amid Trump's tariff threats

With President Donald Trump set to announce a wide range of new tariffs on Wednesday, Andrew Peach takes a closer look at Vietnam, where the government is not adopting a tough stance but is instead aiming to strike a deal. We also examine how the war in Ukraine has accelerated advancements in defence technology in Finland. Plus, why soaring gold prices are good news for South Africa.

Apr 01, 202526 min

Businesses prepare for Trumps ‘Liberation Day’

Businesses prepare for Trumps ‘Liberation Day’ as the United States heads towards massive introduction of import taxes later this week Japan is one of the US’s biggest investors. How will they cope with tariffs? We hear from Stephen Nagy Professor at the International Christian University in Tokyo. We also hear from Cleveland-Cliffs steel, a US steel company that supports the implementation of tariffs

Mar 31, 202526 min

Myanmar earthquake: assessing the humanitarian and economic toll

As Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, the official death toll has now exceeded two thousand. Sam Fenwick examines the country's economy as rescue operations continue and preparations for rebuilding begin. The world watches closely as President Trump’s so-called "Liberation Day" on tariffs approaches. Plus South African businesses work to repair relations with the US following criticism of the country's land reform policies.

Mar 31, 202526 min

Myanmar Earthquake: How does aid get to where it’s needed?

Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has made a rare request for international help after a powerful earthquake hit the centre of the country, flattening buildings and bridges. The US vice president, JD Vance, has accused Denmark of underinvesting in the security of Greenland and leaving it vulnerable. The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, says he has told Donald Trump that Ottawa will impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods from early April.

Mar 28, 202526 min

UN reacts to Myanmar earthquake

Myanmar's military rulers have appealed for international help after a massive earthquakes Australians will head to the polls on May 3rd, after the prime minister Anthony Albanese called a federal election And America is seeking to import eggs from European countries as they're in short supply due to the aviation flu outbreak. We hear from a bakery in Brooklyn on how they are coping with the inflated prices of eggs

Mar 28, 202526 min

Canada defiant on Trump car tariffs

The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has said the United States is no longer a reliable partner after President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on car imports. Rahul Tandon speaks to businesses in both the US and Canada. China's biggest company, Tencent Holdings, has made more than a billion-dollar investment in a new spin-off company of the French gaming giant Ubisoft, which owns franchises including Assassin’s Creed and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.

Mar 27, 202526 min

Trump announces tax on imported cars

President Trump has announced a 25% import tax on cars and car parts coming into US. The president said the measure would lead to "tremendous growth" for the industry. China has reportedly ordered state-owned firms to pause new deals with businesses linked to Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, following his announcement that he plans to sell two ports in the Panama Canal to a US consortium And the Elizabeth Line in London will soon be operated by Japan's Tokyo Metro company. The BBC’s Mariko Oi ...

Mar 27, 202526 min

Trump targets the auto industry in new tariffs

The US President Donald Trump has announced plans for long-promised tariffs on automotive imports shipped into the United States, and the tariffs will go into effect on 2nd April and will apply to finished cars and trucks that are shipped into the United States. Also, Maryland is marking one year since a cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. The owner of the ship agreed to pay 102 million in damages back in September, and now it’s expected that the new bridge will be fini...

Mar 26, 202526 min

UK announces extra $2.8 bn for defence

The UK announces an extra $2.8 billion to be spent on defence. The announcement was made as part of the UK Chancellors, Rachel Reeve’s, Spring Budget. At least twenty-four people have been killed in the deadliest forest fires in South Korea's history. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes. And, In the US judges have blocked Universal Music Group's request to stop the AI company 'Anthropic' from using their song lyrics to train its AI mode

Mar 26, 202526 min

Ceasefire terms: Is Russia lying?

Ukraine's President Zelensky says Russia is "lying" about the terms of their Black Sea ceasefire. Russia, in turn, insists that certain sanctions on banks, insurers, and food exporters must be lifted before the ceasefire takes effect. Can reshoring work in Canada? Plus, why are consumers turning their backs on orange juice? Roger Hearing finds out.

Mar 25, 202526 min

Ukraine and Russia agree Black Sea ceasefire

Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a ceasefire on the Black Sea. The White House says Russia and Ukraine have agreed a safe passage for commercial shipping Tesla’s sales in Europe fall despite upswing in electric vehicle market And a cryptocurrency company is planning to roll out mini-power plants to rural villages in Africa in order to bring electricity to create Bitcoin.

Mar 25, 202526 min

Trump vows tariffs on Venezuela oil buyers

President Trump said that any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela will pay a 25% tariff on trades with the US. He also said he may give some countries a tariff break. Why has a popular DNA testing firm filed for bankruptcy? Roger Hearing finds out how Chinese electric vehicle company, BYD overtook Tesla.

Mar 24, 202526 min