Global business and finance news and discussion from the BBC.
How are tariffs fuelling the decline in US markets and Canadian patriotism? US markets are down today after President Trump refused to rule out recession in an interview. The Nasdaq suffered its worst day in several years, closing down by four percent. The tariffs have also prompted a surge in Canadian patriotism. Rahul Tandon speaks to an app developer making buying local easier. And why are we talking about instant noodles?
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. Bitcoin makes it big in Washington as President Trump establishes an official government cryptocurrency reserve office after meeting with crypto business leaders in the White House. And also we hear about hundreds of female tennis players on the WTA tour will be eligible for twelve months' paid maternity leave. Rahul Tandon w...
Donald Trump’s administration has backtracked further from its threat to impose sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, in a major climbdown. We examine China's plans to boost employment just months before more than twelve million university graduates are set to enter the job market. 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. Presenter Rahul Tandon discusses these stories with James...
Presenter Rahul Tandon hears from guests in the US and Bangladesh following the suspension of tariffs on auto imports from Mexico and Canada. We also examine how Donald Trump’s 90-day funding freeze for aid projects will impact Bangladeshi society. And uncover what makes the new computer game, Two Point Museum, so appealing after rave reviews.
On the programme, we'll explore the ripple effects of U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. President Trump is scheduled to address Congress, during which he is expected to discuss new U.S. trade tariffs and the situation in Ukraine. This address marks his first major speech since returning to the White House. Plus, we'll examine how these tariffs could lead to higher car prices for U.S. motorists. And the Chinese government presents a review of its achievements last year and economic goals...
US President Donald Trump has ordered a halt to all military aid deliveries to Ukraine. This decision follows closely on the heels of his intense meeting with President Zelensky at the White House. Also on the programme, we examine reactions to Trump’s confirmation of a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. We discuss the broader implications of these measures, including their potential impact on U.S. consumer prices and the strategie...
Unprecedented scenes in the White House as President Trump and President Zelensky get into a furious row in front of the cameras, which have likely ended any immediate prospect of a deal on peace, or Ukraine's minerals. What will it mean for Kyiv's security, America's role in Europe, and Russia's territorial ambitions? Also the consequences of Donald Trump's plans to make English the official US language, we hear if it could affect some businesses. Meanwhile, why Africa is taking steps to protec...
We discuss President Donald Trump’s plans 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 captured the world's imagination over the last 2...
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!...
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? We look at the blackouts in Chile... 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!...
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!
Apple is removing its highest level data security tool from customers in the UK. So what does that mean for iPhone users? We hear from a cyber security expert. And the New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner. Also, are soap operas dead? This is following the news that the long running Australian series, 'Neighbours' will come to an end this year. Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia and the USA.
President Trump says Mexican drug cartels are terrorists groups. And Mexico is accusing the US of facilitating terrorism by putting guns into the cartels hands. 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. How has life changed since the LA firestorms? LA resident and Business Matters regular Allie Garfinkel tells us what life in the city is like now. Also why is the comfy sandal brand Birkenstock...
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. 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. And Roger Hearing discusses how a local government in the Philippines has come up with an unusual way of combating dengue...
The US and Russia have outlined their intention to build relations far beyond a deal over Ukraine—extending to cooperation on other global issues and developing sizeable economic and investment links. Argentine President Javier Milei has denied promoting a newly launched cryptocurrency that collapsed shortly after he mentioned it in a social media post on Friday. And Ed Butler hears about a shocking revelation from Nasa that a large asteroid could be on course to hit earth. Although the space ag...
European leaders have been meeting in Paris to discuss military support for Ukraine. The United States has demanded that Europe increases defence spending and sends troops to Ukraine if there is a ceasefire in the war with Russia. Also, are Canadians boycotting US goods in shops after President Trump’s tariff threats? And Ed Butler reports from one of Africa’s biggest e-waste dumps in Ghana. Also, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, says it plans to build the world’s longest undersea cable, to brin...
We delve into how the world is reacting to Trump's tariff announcement and what leaders from around the world have to say. Ukraine's President Zelensky, meets US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine. There's also been talk of the Trump administration closing the Department of Education. Additionally, we hear how an NYU student managed to attend college without having to pay. Global business news, with live guests and contributions ...
With inflation is the US rising in January at its highest rate for six months, how can President Donald Trump stop energy and egg prices from going up and forcing the cost of living to rise across America? We hear from a former Fed official on how the central bankers are dealing with political pressure on interest rates, and a farmer who's seeing his costs rise and is having to pass them on to customers. Elsewhere, we find out about the Refillable bottle boom and how Brazil wants to become a gia...
King Abdullah of Jordan met with Donald Trump at the White House after the American president had threatened to withhold $1.45 billion a year in US aid if Jordan did not agree to scheme We hear from the CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association on how Canada’s steel industry will be hit hard by tariffs. And, how diss tracks in a feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake have raised an estimated $15 million.
Elon Musk has bid to purchase the non profit tech firm, Open AI President Donald Trump says he's going to impose a 25% import tax on imports of steel and aluminium from abroad And New Zealand has loosened their visa rules to attract foreign money. We hear from their Immigration Minister, Erica Stanford
President Trump confirms big tariffs are being imposed on goods coming into the US from Mexico, Canada, and China. We'll hear from businesses in Canada and Mexico on their response. We hear the story of one family's return to their home following the Los Angeles wildfires. David Brancaccio, a journalist with our US partner Marketplace, who bought a house just a few months ago and was burnt down by the California firestorms earlier this month. India’s finance minister will be presenting the count...
Investigators from the US federal agency noted that mid-air collisions like this are rare in the US, and they said it was far too early to speculate on what caused the crash; however, we will look at crowded airspaces and complex issues surrounding airports. Also, economic growth in the US slowed at the end of last year, as trade and investment declined and the country was hit by hurricanes and strikes. And, shoplifting, shrinkage, the five-finger discount—whatever you call it—stealing from shop...
The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform by this Sunday. A cold snap in Washington, DC, means Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday will now be held indoors instead of on the steps of the Capitol. Also, Argentina has reported a fiscal surplus for the first time in sixteen years, as a result of comprehensive budget cuts implemented by President Javier Milei. We will look at how immigration is a high-profi...
Former Bank of Canada governor, Mark Carney, says he is running to replace Justin Trudeau as the leader of Canada's governing Liberal Party. Donald Trump's pick as Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has been defending his boss's economic plans at his confirmation hearing in the US Senate. And, as China prepares to release GDP figures in the next hour, we'll ask how it can stimulate growth, and we will look at who's planning a trip to North Korea during the northern hemisphere holiday. The countr...
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza—raising hopes of an end to fifteen months of war. So, if the ceasefire holds, how long will it take to rebuild from the rubble? What would be the priorities? How much will it cost? And who will pay? We will look at all these with different guests, including the head of the United Nations Development Programme, Achim Steiner. Rice is the staple crop for more than half the world’s population, but it's vul...
