From the BBC World Service : Greenland remains in U.S. President Donald Trump’s sights, but residents of the vast, mineral-rich Danish territory have elected a pro-business, pro-independence party in its general elections. We’ll hear more. Also: Another morning, another set of tariffs. The European Union hits back with reciprocal tariffs after the U.S. imposed a blanket 25% tax on steel and aluminium imports. And what’s the Chinese response to U.S. import taxes?
Mar 12, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Americans took on an additional $74 billion in credit card debt last year, according to WalletHub, which is actually a smaller increase than we saw in 2023. But in 2024, Americans defaulted on $59 billion in credit card debt — a 34% jump from 2023. We’ll hear more. Also on the show: China’s deflation woes, a major crypto heist tied to North Korea and the market ripple effects of continued uncertainty.
Mar 11, 2025•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Markets are a bit calmer this morning, after the NASDAQ had its steepest drop since 2022 and the S&P 500 tumbled 2.5% yesterday. Investors are looking forward to new data out today and this week that might offer insights into U.S. economic health. This comes after the Trump administration discounted market reaction to its tariff policies. Then, what economic legacies have been left by the COVID-19 pandemic five years on?
Mar 11, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: Asian stock markets have continued to fall as investors raise concerns about the detrimental impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a potential U.S. recession. Then, on the final day of the National People’s Congress, progress on artificial intelligence has been celebrated. And hackers allegedly linked to North Korea have cashed out at least $300 million of their record-breaking $1.5 billion heist from crypto company Bybit.
Mar 11, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Economists believe the risk of recession is higher, surveys show. Sources of economic uncertainty include tariffs, federal layoffs and immigration policy. Today, we’ll chat about a shift in how top government officials are describing the projected path of the economy. Also, both houses of Congress must pass a stopgap funding bill by this Friday night to avoid a partial government shutdown. And, when is the “golden window” to put your house on the market?
Mar 10, 2025•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast There’s a clear divide over some sunnier economic data that’s been released over the past few months and how consumers are actually experiencing this economy. On today’s show, we discuss how some headline figures — like unemployment and inflation — can mislead rather than paint a full picture. Plus, some economists and investors are worried about the direction of the U.S. economy, which President Donald Trump said is headed for “a period of transition.”
Mar 10, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: The Japanese government begins a rare auction of its emergency rice stockpiles in a bid to drive down the surging price of the national staple; rice prices have roughly doubled over the past year. Then, China’s retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. goods are officially in force. Plus, we’ll hear how the war in Ukraine is creating a new middle class of Russians.
Mar 10, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Fitch Ratings found that 6.5% of subprime borrowers were at least two months late on their car payments. That’s the highest level since the agency began collecting this data in 1994. Other data finds that auto loan delinquency rates increased in 2024 across all income levels. What’s behind all this? Plus, tariffs already being felt across the economy. And later, a vintage race car mechanic reflects on the sights, sounds and feelings of racing.
Mar 07, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dunkin’ dropped its surcharges on drinks with nondairy milk. Starbucks did the same late last year, as have some indie coffee shops. Today, we look at how the popularity of nondairy milks is changing how restaurants set prices. But first, we unpack the chaos of recent tariffs, including how they affect a free trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and how trade policy uncertainty is impacting agricultural exporters.
Mar 07, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC’s World Service: The world’s second-largest economy is struggling. The latest trade figures show that imports into China fell by more than 8% in January and February, compared to the same period last year. Then, following an emergency summit of European Union leaders, the bloc says it’s approved a plan that could allow for up to $870 billion in additional defense spending. Plus: a look at the instant noodles market in India.
Mar 07, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast New Congressional Budget Office calculations suggest a difficult path ahead for Republicans as they seek to find billions in budget cuts. The figures show Republicans are unlikely to meet their cost-cutting goals without finding savings in health insurance programs that serve about 80 million low-income Americans and children. We’ll discuss. And later, we’ll parse out the current state of the job market and talk about the relationship between kids, social media and AI.
Mar 06, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast After the stock market closes today, Costco will release its latest quarterly earnings. While some retailers have backed away from commitments related to diversity, equity and inclusion, Costco has very publicly dug in. Will that affect the bottom line? Plus, Europe is going to be spending a lot more on defense. And later, we’ll get a preview of what the first jobs report under a new Trump presidency might look like.
Mar 06, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: Following Germany’s plans to change its fiscal rules, the yield on its 10-year bund rose at its steepest in nearly 30 years, while French and Italian bond yields also surged. New, U.S. tariffs have pushed American yields higher, as well. We chat about some of the latest developments. Also: an emergency European summit on defense spending and back-and-forth decisions to open up tourism in North Korea.
Mar 06, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast U.S. businesses added 77,000 jobs in February, according to payroll processing company ADP — a dramatic drop from the 186,000 it estimated for January. It comes as firms are concerned about the impacts of tariffs and the potential for rising prices. We’ll discuss. But first, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is dropping its lawsuit against Zelle. And later, we’ll hear what layoffs mean for the morale and productivity of workers.
Mar 05, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The second Trump administration is reportedly working on a plan to dramatically reduce the workforce at the Internal Revenue Service. As much as half of the workers at the tax collecting agency could be let go through a combination of layoffs, buyouts and attrition. Also on this morning’s show: We’ll preview the spring break travel economy and hear why wealth informs how quickly those affected by the Southern California wildfires can rebuild.
Mar 05, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: Germany’s future coalition partners want to relax its strict debt rules in order to boost the defense budget by billions of dollars. We hear more. Then, China announced a target of 5% economic growth this year at the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress. And, a group led by U.S. investment firm BlackRock looks to buy two key ports at the Panama Canal.
Mar 05, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tariffs are in place this morning against the United States’ three biggest trading partners: Canada, Mexico and China. First, we’ll unpack the industries likely to get hit hardest and pass those higher costs on to consumers. Then, we’ll hear how targeted countries are responding to Trump’s tariffs. And later: a look at how some colleges are preparing students to enter the workforce by teaching them to have civil political conversations.
Mar 04, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump has implemented a 25% import tax on almost everything we buy from Canada and Mexico, and new tariffs on China doubled to 20%. This is forcing trading partners to adapt. On this morning’s program, we’ll hear from some Chinese manufacturers at an import and export trade show in Shanghai about how they’ll grapple. Then, DOGE’s cuts to the federal workforce bring the culture of a startup to government agencies.
Mar 04, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: Fears of a trade war ramp up as tariffs go into effect on Chinese, Mexican and Canadian imports to the U.S., with more planned for Donald Trump’s second term. The increased duties on Chinese imports will affect a huge range of products from agricultural goods to toys – and are likely to raise consumer prices. Plus, an unexpected alliance could be forming in the electric car world.
Mar 04, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s the mother of all economic numbers: GDP, or gross domestic product. But U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says he wants to take government spending out of that number in official statistics. That could have serious implications for our understanding of the economy. Also on the show: how President Donald Trump’s tariffs could hit the auto industry and why adults are keeping the toy industry going.
Mar 03, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hundreds of billions of dollars have flowed into cryptocurrency markets in the past 24 hours or so after President Donald Trump named five digital tokens to be included in a national reserve. Trump has pledged to be a crypto-friendly president before. We’ll unpack the decision. Plus, mortgage rate volatility may be here to stay, and natural gas is having a moment — even in the middle of the green energy transition.
Mar 03, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: When new U.S. import duties take effect on Tuesday, China says it’ll be ready to hit back with its own. The escalation raises fears of an all-out trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Then, Britain’s data protection watchdog is investigating how TikTok handles children’s data. And more adults are entertaining themselves with products typically marketed at children, which is helping to keep the global toy market alive.
Mar 03, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some student loan borrowers are in limbo after the Department of Education removed online applications for consolidations and income-based repayment plans. The StudentAid.gov website says the removals are temporary to comply with an appeals court injunction. But first: We got lots of data this morning painting a picture of the economy before major changes were implemented by the Trump administration. And later: Is the U.S. at risk of losing lithium exports from China?
Feb 28, 2025•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Current and former U.S. Agency for International Development workers are being allowed into USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C. for a second day today to pack up their belongings. But federal government layoffs are being felt across the country. Today, we’ll hear from a USAID contractor in Oklahoma about what’s happening there. Plus, we’ll look at why tech firms are spending so much on quantum computing and unpack the impacts of a 24-hour “economic blackout.”
Feb 28, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: Fears are growing among bitcoin investors after the cryptocurrency’s price fell below the $80,000 threshold Friday. It comes after U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats triggered a fresh flight from risk. Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hopes that talks with President Trump at the White House have averted a trade war. Plus, we look at why Hungary has become a hot destination for movie-makers.
Feb 28, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: Fears are growing among bitcoin investors after the cryptocurrency’s price fell below the $80,000 threshold Friday. It comes after U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats triggered a fresh flight from risk. Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hopes that talks with President Trump at the White House have averted a trade war. Plus, we look at why Hungary has become a hot destination for movie-makers.
Feb 28, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Supreme Court is giving the Trump administration more time to pay for foreign aid work done before the administration froze foreign assistance. Among those caught up in all this are independent contractors who have contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Their work has evaporated, but they can’t file for unemployment. We’ll discuss. Plus, an account from a day laborer and volunteer sheds light on economic conditions for low-income immigrant workers.
Feb 27, 2025•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Job cuts appear to be picking up in the private sector, too. Over the last two months, companies including Chevron, Meta, Starbucks and Southwest Airlines have all laid off 1.000 employees or more. While unemployment remains low, more layoffs could be on the way. Plus, bosses at Nvidia think there’s still plenty of room for business to grow, and an immigrant day laborer reflects on volunteering to help clear debris after the LA fires.
Feb 27, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the BBC World Service: The automotive sector was singled out by U.S. President Donald, and the European Union said it will react “firmly and immediately” against any “unjustified” tariffs. Then, a cryptocurrency company in Dubai is recruiting bounty hunters to help track stolen funds. And as Pokémon turns 29 years old. we look back at how the wildly popular Japanese phenomenon became a billion-dollar global media brand.
Feb 27, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Republican-controlled House has defied predictions of deadlock and advanced the party’s signature legislative package. The House narrowly approved a resolution that includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and some $2 trillion in spending cuts over a decade. But it still has to go through the Senate, where there’s a push for more tax cuts. We’ll discuss some of the implications. Plus, how are New York businesses grappling with President Donald Trump’s deportation threats?
Feb 26, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
