South Africa’s National Treasury has presented a revised budget that includes a smaller increase in value-added tax. The move is aimed at breaking the deadlock within the coalition government after disagreements led to the postponement of last month’s budget—the first delay of its kind in 30 years. Also on the programme, the trade war heats up in Europe. We’ll hear from the European Commission's spokesperson as the group retaliates against President Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and alumi...
Mar 12, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Canada and the United States have each backtracked on some tariff threats amid further trade turmoil. But America still plans a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday. We hear what a ceasefire could mean for Ukraine’s economy. And, as Manchester United plans to build a $2 billion stadium, Rahul Tandon asks can they afford it?
Mar 11, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Donald Trump announces plans to double tariffs on Canadian steel and gas, we take stock of how the US markets are reacting. Tesla shares are taking a big hit—but is this about broader challenges facing electric vehicle makers, or fallout from Elon Musk’s political moves? We’ll also head to Greenland, where voters are going to the polls amid renewed interest from President Trump in buying the Danish territory. And one of the world’s biggest sports franchises Manchester United, is planning a ne...
Mar 11, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast US markets are down today after President Trump refused to rule out recession in an interview — could uncertainty over tariffs and the economy be fuelling the decline? The Nasdaq suffered its worst day in several years, closing down by four percent. How are the on-again, off-again tariffs affecting businesses? Rahul Tandon speaks to an American seafood wholesaler who imports oysters from Canada. And President Trump wants to take over Greenland - why?
Mar 10, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we hear from US farmers on the impact of China’s new tariffs on products like pork, corn, soybeans, and beef. As the trade war between the world’s two largest economies escalates, what will it mean for Chinese consumers? Also, we examine Canada’s new leader—will his experience as a central bank governor at home and abroad help him navigate the country’s role in the ongoing trade dispute?
Mar 10, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ports in the United States are experiencing ‘record levels of activities’ due to the tariffs and businesses trying to stock up to avoid the threat of tariffs and trade war, as the chairman of the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, has highlighted uncertainty over President Trump's trade policies in a speech in New York. We hear from one of President Trump’s former advisers. Bitcoin makes it big in Washington as President Trump establishes an official government cryptocurrency reserve office a...
Mar 07, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast What's driving the political drama in Canada? A new Prime Minister will be chosen on Sunday. We delve into the economic forces shaping this crucial leadership race. In Ghana, cocoa farmers are swapping bean farming for illegal gold mining, a practice which is helping drive global chocolate prices. And Will Bain speaks to the company that landed a private spacecraft on the moon with the intention to explore the lunar Sea of Crises.
Mar 07, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump signs a deal to suspend some of the Canada tariffs until April 2, hours after signing a similar exemption for Mexico. Presenter Rahul Tandon examines what the change in policy means. Also, Syria gets a lifeline after the UK unfreezes assets and lifts sanctions on multiple oil groups. Plus, the Danish postal service will deliver its last letter at the end of the year. It ends 400 years of a letter-sending service in the country.
Mar 06, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast As European leaders meet to discuss defence spending, we get the view of the former head of the European Central Bank on how nations will afford future support for Ukraine. We'll hear about the challenges for the trans-Pacific supply chains, as tariffs begin to bite. And if you fly through Afghan airspace, who do you pay and how?
Mar 06, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Trump pulls back on imposing tariffs on North American-made cars—at least for now. The BBC’s North America business correspondent, Michelle Fleury, explains the rationale behind the decision. U.S. investment giant BlackRock secures a $23 billion deal to acquire ports along the Panama Canal, coinciding with Trump’s promise to "reclaim" the canal if he returns to office. Whayt does this mean for Panama’s economy and global trade? And we find out why World Cup organisers are planning a Su...
Mar 05, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hopes are growing that talks involving the governments of the USA, Mexico and Canada could lead to a reduction in tariffs that were introduced this week. Meanwhile, no one in Washington is talking about relaxing the 10% tariff increase that was imposed on Chinese goods on Tuesday. And Friedrich Merz, the man who is likely to be the next German chancellor has announced a political deal to raise hundreds of billions of euros in extra spending on defence and infrastructure.
Mar 05, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In response to President Trump's recent tariffs, key trading nations are formulating their countermeasures. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticised the US move, calling it ‘’unjust and counterproductive’’. China has halted imports of U.S. logs and soybeans, signalling a firm stance against the tariffs. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods, with specific details to be unveiled at an upcoming event in Mexico City's centr...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The governments of China, Mexico and Canada have begun their responses to President Trump’s tariffs on goods entering the US. Trump’s measures include tariffs of 25% on all goods arriving from Mexico and Canada, and well as a further 10% on Chinese products. We get reaction from those countries and hear how it affects companies around the world.
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the programme, we explore how businesses in the US are preparing as President Trump confirms he will impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. We hear from the BBC's Erin Delmore, reporting from the North America Toy Fair—where many products originate from China. How will these tariffs impact the prices consumers pay? Plus, chip-making giant TSMC is set to invest at least $100 billion in the United States to develop cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing facilities. And we look into former P...
Mar 03, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast European defence manufacturers’ share prices jump, as investors expect many European countries to ramp up military spending. Prices of several cryptocurrencies have risen after the US president announced he will launch a US crypto fund. President Donald Trump says Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana and Cardano will be included in a ‘Crypto Strategic Reserve’. And Will Bain hears about the call from the director of Oscar winning movie Onura. Sean Baker has called on people to support independent movi...
Mar 03, 2025•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Unprecedented scenes in the White House may have ended any immediate prospect of a deal on peace or Ukraine's minerals, while World markets respond with concern to the furious public row between President Trump and President Zelensky. Elsewhere the 'fat finger' problem of how Citi group mistakenly turned a $280 deposit into $80trillion. Plus we discuss the problems for American's facing tariffs on importing energy from Canada, and why Hungary is the Hollywood movie location of choice The latest ...
Feb 28, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The European Union has said today it hopes to conclude a free trade agreement with India by the end of this year. This is 18 years since negotiations first started. In China, the technology minister Jin Zhuanglong has been removed office, seemingly as part of President Xi Jinping’santi-corruption purge. We mark the end of Skype, the original internet calling app. And Gideon Long speaks to a man who sued India's largest cinema chain because there were too many advertisements....
Feb 28, 2025•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump is expected to bring in delayed tariffs for goods coming from in Mexico, and Canada. He says they are failing to curb the export of the drug fentanyl. We hear from a former editor of the Washington Post after its current owner Jeff Bezos declares the paper will in future only publish opinion pieces that support personal liberties. We examine the success of the Japanese pocket-monster cartoon franchise, Pokeman. It has become popular around the world over the last 29 years,...
Feb 27, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The FBI has accused North Korea of stealing $1.5bn worth of the cryptocurrency Ethereum. In the US, President Trump has threatened a 25% tariff on EU imports. What do European exporters thing? And in Africa, entrepreneurs from across the continent are meeting for the Africa Business Convention. Gideon Long speaks to one of the business owners attending.
Feb 27, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The US president Donald Trump said his administration would soon announce a 25% tariff on imports from the EU. Who will win in this trade war? We look at Nvidia's first earnings report since shock debut of Chinese AI DeepSeek. We find out why Russian cinemas are looking forward to start negotiations with Hollywood studios. And how the Maha Kumbh Mela affecting Indian economy? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!...
Feb 26, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast BP plans to raise oil and gas spending to $10billion a year and cut its renewable energy investments. We hear from Nick Butler, BP's former head of strategy. In Hong Kong, the city's budget has been announced including their plan to cut 10,000 job cuts. And Gideon Long speaks to South Africa's Citrus Growers Association about the G20 meeting in Cape Town.
Feb 26, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ukrainian officials say a deal has been reached between Kyiv and Washington on the joint exploitation of Ukraine's mineral resources. What will happen next? Also, we look at a growing trend - the cutback aid programs across the globe - how will it affect African countries? And will tech giant Apple change its diversity practices? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
Feb 25, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Singapore's biggest bank says it expects to cut 4,000 roles over the next three years because of AI. DBS bank expects AI to take on more roles carried out by humans. In Bahrain, the international ratings agency Fitch has downgraded its outlook for the country to "negative". And Gideon Long hears about how Pakistan and Bangladesh have started direct government-to-government trade. He speaks to the Chairman of Pakistan's Rice Exporters Association.
Feb 25, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Could we see a deal this week between Ukraine and the US on Ukraine's valuable mineral deposits? President Trump says it's very close and he is expecting President Zelensky to sign it in Washington in the coming days. But what would such a deal involve? And how much are the minerals really worth? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
Feb 24, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The man set to lead Germany, is facing challenges at a pivotal moment for Europe's largest economy. He's already expressed concern about relations between Europe and the US. The European Union has hit Russia with more sanctions today. And we have a BBC investigation into where the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah gets its money from. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Feb 24, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Apple is removing its highest level data security tool from customers in the UK. So does that mean for iPhone users? We hear from a cyber security expert. Germany's once mighty motor industry is losing momentum, as high costs, low demand and competition from Chinese firms take a heavy toll on company profits. And are soap operas dead? This is following the news that 'Neighbours' will come to an end this year. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC....
Feb 21, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Germany heads for a crucial election, we hear from businesses and economists on the most pressing issues The Trump administration wants a deal from Ukraine over its mineral rights, thought to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars And Ed Butler hears about a new Chinese film called Ne Zha which has grossed some 1.7 billion dollars since its release last month - making it the highest grossing animation of all time
Feb 21, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Trump designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups. But Mexico's president said they will never tolerate an "invasion" of it's national sovereignty. And the James Bond film franchise will no longer be controlled by the Broccoli dynasty. Creative control will now be given to Amazon MGM Studios. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Feb 20, 2025•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hundreds have taken part in ‘Dark Indonesia’ demonstrations critical of policies which will see substantial changes in education and health spending. Plus, as Apple launches a new iPhone, we ask what is ‘budget friendly’? And as North Korea opens its borders to western travellers, we hear from one ‘extreme tourism’ business (Photo: Protesters shout slogans during an anti-government protest near the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 21 February 2025. Credit: BAGUS INDAHONO/EPA-EFE/REX/Sh...
Feb 20, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Microsoft has unveiled a new quantum chip called Majorana One, which it says will help the company create computers able to solve meaningful industrial-scale problems in years, not decades. The US president, Donald Trump, moves to revoke the approval of New York City’s congestion pricing programs. We hear from one of the architects of the congestion charge policy in the city. And Roger Hearing discusses how a local government in the Philippines has come up with an unusual way of combating dengue...
Feb 19, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
