President Trump has signed his flagship bill into law — slashing taxes and welfare, while boosting military and immigration spending. But what does this mean for America’s economy and global standing? And with new tariffs looming, can the U.S. reach a trade deal with its partners before tensions boil over? Plus, We explore the rise of Velvet Sundown, the mysterious AI-powered band drawing in over 850,000 Spotify listeners without a single live show, interview, or known band member....
Jul 04, 2025•26 min
The US tax and spending bill suggests that to subsidise electric vehicles and solar panels. President Donald Trump is also trying to encourage American allies in Europe and Asia to buy more US liquid natural gas and oil. But experts are arguing that this could allow China a free run at becoming the world’s first electricity superpower. Also, US President Donald Trump says his administration will probably start notifying trading partners from Friday of the new US tariff on their exports effective...
Jul 04, 2025•26 min
President Donald Trump’s massive finance bill has cleared its final hurdle in Congress — but what could it mean for the U.S. economy and for poorer Americans who rely on government support programmes? Also, Superman is back on screen — but is the superhero genre starting to lose its shine? And as Britpop legends Oasis prepare to kick -off their long-awaited reunion tour in Cardiff, fans are snapping up merchandise from pop-up stores across the UK and Ireland.
Jul 03, 2025•26 min
US President Donald Trump's huge budget bill is heading for a final vote in the US House of Representatives. Democrats warn it includes the largest cut to Medicaid in US history, while Republicans argue it will spark economic growth. We hear from a US based green energy company about the impact of the bill on the country’s renewables industry. Leaders from across the globe have been meeting in Seville to discuss the growth of world debt. A new UN-backed Borrowers’ Forum promises to give developi...
Jul 03, 2025•26 min
President Trump announces 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods. Under the agreement, Vietnam will charge no tariffs on imports from the US. Also, members of Congress are wrangling over Donald Trump’s sweeping finance bill. Plus, we explore why remittances to Mexico from workers in the U.S. have seen a sharp decline.
Jul 02, 2025•26 min
The US, Japan, India, and Australia are joining forces to secure critical minerals supplies essential for next-generation technologies. In the UK, why is the finance minister appear visibly upset during a House of Commons debate? The US Senate narrowly passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' but now it faces the House of Representatives. In Switzerland, the Women's Football European Championship is kicking off with record sponsorship deals, rising TV audiences, and sold-out stadiums highlighting th...
Jul 02, 2025•26 min
After hours of stalemate, Republicans in the US Senate have narrowly passed Donald Trump’s mega-bill on tax and spending, meaning the proposed legislation has cleared one of its key hurdles. Also, US President Donald Trump has suggested that Doge, the cost-cutting agency Elon Musk helped set up, could be used to hurt the billionaire's companies – as the former allies continue their public dispute over Trump's budget plans. And it's 25 years since one of the world's first and longest transnationa...
Jul 01, 2025•26 min
The US Senate holds marathon vote on President Donald Trumps “big, beautiful bill" which has reached 45 consecutive votes, making it the longest vote-a-rama in Senate history. There's a stark warning that cuts to USAID could lead to 14 million additional deaths. What does this mean for economic stabilities of the countries facing these cuts? In Japan, the country is standing firm against pressure to open up its rice market to the US. Plus, one of Europe's most iconic landmarks that drives busine...
Jul 01, 2025•26 min
Global supply chains are in trouble, driven by crises due to tariffs, geopolitical shocks and Middle East instability, according to the latest survey carried out by CIPS Pulse of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. Roger Hearing hears from Ben Farrell, CIPS CEO. Also, as a key tariff deadline set by US President Donald Trump draws closer, talks between the United States and many other countries, including India, have hit roadblocks over import duties on auto parts, steel, and agri...
Jun 30, 2025•26 min
While businesses on both sides of the Atlantic are hoping that the UK-US trade deal - which comes into effect today - will provide a much needed boost, we look at whether Canada can get a breakthrough in talks with their North American neighbour in Washington. Sam Fenwick discusses how backlogs are piling up at major shipping ports across Europe as logistic companies struggle to deal with US president Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies, while unusually low water levels on the Rhine make...
Jun 30, 2025•26 min
There's another twist to the tariffs tale... US President Donald Trump says he's stopping trade talks with Canada over a tax he's not happy about. The US and China have reached a trade truce on critical minerals... but how critical is the deal? And Glastonbury has a hippy roots, but it’s making serious money.... we’ll hear how it generates hundreds of millions for the British economy. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Jun 27, 2025•26 min
The US and China have agreed a new trade deal. Will it finally improve relations between the world’s two biggest economies and speed up the flow of strategic minerals? Bisi Adebayo will be discussing why it is such a big deal. In Brazil, the Supreme Court is taking on Big Tech firms after ruling that social media platforms can now be held directly responsible for users’ illegal posts. And it’s the end of an era, as Microsoft finally waves goodbye to the dreaded blue screen of death after 40 year...
Jun 27, 2025•26 min
In the US, the economy shrinks, jobless claims rise, and tariffs start to bite... Will steps toward an agreement with China help the situation? There's been a tax shake-up in Africa’s biggest economy... Nigeria’s President signs off on sweeping reforms. But will they be felt on the ground? And after nearly four decades in charge… Vogue’s Anna Wintour is stepping back. What’s next for fashion’s most powerful woman? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033....
Jun 26, 2025•26 min
With the World Bank awarding $150 million to Syria and $250 million to Lebanon in order to help the two Middle Eastern countries infrastructures redevelop after turbulent periods, we discuss what needs to be done to grow their economic confidence. Ed Butler finds out how so-called ticket-pullers are employing teams of people to make millions of dollars through scalping tickets from top UK concerts. And after years of liberalised rules on cannabis, how Thailand may be thinking of cracking down on...
Jun 26, 2025•27 min
Lebanon has secured $250 million in World Bank funding for post-war recovery, to help repair and rebuild critical public infrastructure and essential services. Is the oil giant Shell taking over its rival BP? Plus, Mexico is planning to sue Space X over rocket debris on the beach.
Jun 25, 2025•26 min
At least two people have been shot dead during protests in Kenya, which marks the first anniversary of deadly anti-tax demonstrations that left 60 people dead. Security forces have barricaded key roads in Nairobi and fired tear gas. Keen to avoid a repeat storming of parliament, President William Ruto has appealed to protesters not to threaten peace and stability. NATO allies agree to boost their military spending off the back of pressure from US President Donald Trump, but is Europe’s defence i...
Jun 25, 2025•26 min
US president Trump arrives in Europe for the annual NATO summit. He is demanding all member states to commit to spending 5% of national economic output on their militaries. We hear how a social enterprise in Northern Uganda is connecting rural homes and transforming lives by turning agricultural waste into clean, renewable energy. Plus, why are people protesting again a multimillion dollar celebrity wedding in Venice?
Jun 24, 2025•26 min
US President Donald Trump has criticised both Israel and Iran, despite a ceasefire deal. But what does continuing tensions in the Middle East mean for oil prices and the wider global economy? We’re in Tianjin, China, for the Summer World Economic Forum, where global leaders are meeting against a backdrop of slowing growth and rising trade tensions. And Leanna Byrne speaks to tech specialist Takara Small as Google’s dominance in the UK comes under the spotlight by regulators who say it may need t...
Jun 24, 2025•26 min
Iran launches missiles at a US airbase in Qatar in response to strikes on its nuclear sites. This leads to airspace shutdowns in many Middle Eastern countries. We examine whether Iran will now close the world's busiest oil shipping channel, the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, Argentina's economy is expanding. Andrew Peach finds out what is driving the growth.
Jun 23, 2025•26 min
A narrow area of sea at the mouth of the Gulf has become the focus of global concern after the United States bombing of Iran. While Iran's parliament has voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, there is no sign of disruption of the sea passage that carries a fifth of the world's oil. So is Iran likely to take action there, and what would the effect be? Roger Hearing discusses whether Germany and Italy will repatriate their national gold reserves of $245billion from the New York Federal Reserve over...
Jun 23, 2025•2 min
Global markets, including the US, have been quietly calm, although there have been warning signs of looming risks and uncertainty after Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs announcement. What’s behind such market “silence”? Roger Hearing hears from Gillian Tett, the chair of the Editorial Board of the Financial Times and the Provost of Kings College Cambridge, who has been writing about this. And how are businesses navigating global sourcing and supply chain risks and disruptions? A Global So...
Jun 20, 2025•26 min
Economists have been brought together by the Vatican to tackle a global debt crisis. So, is it time to rethink how we help poorer nations in need? Vladimir Putin says Russia's economy is thriving... but as a country under sanctions and at war, how true can this be? In the race for AI dominance, a company called Croq with a Q says its chips can outperform the biggest chip company in the world, Nvidia. Also, retirees are swapping pricey care homes for a sun-soaked Thialand. You can contact us on W...
Jun 20, 2025•26 min
A war with Iran has been harming Israel, not just in the physical effect of missile strikes but also the impact of the conflict and instability on Israel's economy. Roger Hearing hears about how the country’s economy is coping with this. Greenland's minister for business and mineral resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, tells us how she deals with threats of an invasion by US President Donald Trump. And Thailand, a country that has long kept a tight lid on gambling, could be about to change as the gove...
Jun 19, 2025•26 min
How do you solve a problem like price rises? That's the question central banks around the world are grappling with... and we've seen a flurry of decisions coming out of central banks around the world this week on interest rates. Also, we go to Denmark, where military drones are big business at Europe’s biggest flying tech show. Namibia is rolling out the red carpet for investment... And Thailand could be hitting the jackpot as it plans to open casinos to boost tourism. You can contact us on What...
Jun 19, 2025•26 min
Will he or won’t he? Trump says he’s not decided if he’ll pull the US into Israel’s strikes on Iran. A shipping insurance expert explains how the conflict is driving up premiums for vessels in the region. We’ll hear about a landmark deal between streaming giant Netflix and a French TV network. And the toy company taking on Trump. The head of an Illinois-based business tells us why he’s challenging the legality of the US president’s tariffs.
Jun 18, 2025•26 min
We hear from Russia where Vladimir Putin has been briefing journalists ahead of a major economic forum. What is the real state of Russia's wartime economy right now? Also, we're in Tehran hearing from local citizens who've messaged us on the human and economic fallout of the current bombardment they're facing. And the rise and rise of Netflix, as the online streamer announces a world-first tie-in deal with a tv broadcaster in France. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330...
Jun 18, 2025•26 min
Donald Trump has left the G7 in Alberta, Canada, early as the situation between Israel and Iran in the Middle East intensifies. We look at how his early departure might impact discussions leaders were looking to have on tariffs. With western carmakers claiming that China's biggest car manufacturer, BYD, is only thriving due to government subsidies, we discuss whether it is playing fair. Elsewhere, Andrew Peach speaks to a business owner in Texas after new data reveals that spending at restaurant...
Jun 17, 2025•27 min
The countdown continues to trade deals with Washington. Ahead of President Trump's threatened tariff hikes next month, we're hearing from South East Asia, and looking at complaints that Chinese firms may be dumping goods, undermining regional economies. Also in the show, the disruption to aviation from the Iran-Israel conflict. And why Chinese officials are being ordered to drink less? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Jun 17, 2025•26 min
Many of the people of Tehran have been heading out of the city, while social media videos show the lines of cars stretching into the distance, as many thousands of citizens speak of massive disruption and a fear of Israeli airstrikes. Ed Butler hears about people in Iran and looks at the economic impact of the conflict inflicted on the country's economy. Also, we hear from Thailand as the latest deadline for US President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on US imports looms. And why the Canary Is...
Jun 17, 2025•27 min
Many of the people of Tehran have been heading out of the city, while social media videos show the lines of cars stretching into the distance, as many thousands of citizens speak of massive disruption and a fear of Israeli airstrikes. Ed Butler hears about people in Iran and looks at the economic impact of the conflict inflicted on the country's economy. Also, we hear from Thailand as the latest deadline for US President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on US imports looms. And why the Canary Is...
Jun 16, 2025•26 min
