The Global Story

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Xi Jinping takes the trade war to Iowa Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

China's retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural exports could hit President Trump's rural heartlands. This week, 3,000 of China’s most influential politicians have gathered for the annual National People’s Congress. Premier Li Qiang referred to the economy as a “giant ship” moving “steadily towards the future.” But behind the optimistic rhetoric, China faces significant challenges. Among them, a renewed trade war with the United States.

In recent days, China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on US goods, specifically targeting agricultural exports from key states like Iowa, Illinois or Kansas. So, is Xi Jinping taking the trade war straight to Iowa? And how will these new tariffs impact Trump’s heartland?

On this episode, Lucy Hockings speaks to the BBC's North America business correspondent, Michelle Fleury, and Shawn Yuan, from the BBC's Global China Unit.

(Picture: Headshot of China's President Xi Jinping. Credit: Agustin Marcarian/Reuters)

Producers: Richard Moran and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Have RFK Jr.'s vaccine views gone mainstream? Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Vaccine mistrust is on the rise. And when US President Donald Trump's new cabinet met for the first time last week, all eyes were on the new Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr who has long been known as a vaccine sceptic. With doubts about vaccines increasing in many parts of the world, will his appointment have an effect on the way vaccinations are viewed globally? Presenter Jonny Dymond speaks to Jim Reed, a BBC health reporter and Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health Correspondent, in Nairobi.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via Whatsapp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts, Eleanor Sly and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineer: James Piper

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Is Trump taking Putin's side? Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

After a tense meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office on Friday, relations between the US, Ukraine, and European allies seem to have reached a new low. Meanwhile, ties between the White House and the Kremlin appear to be warmer than they have been in decades. President Trump has publicly praised his close relationship with Vladimir Putin, fuelling speculation about whether this move signals a new direction in diplomacy or if there is a strategic calculation behind Washington’s pivot to Moscow.

Sumi Somaskanda discusses the Trump-Putin dynamic with the BBC's State Department correspondent Tom Bateman, and Vitaly Shevchenko from BBC Monitoring.

(Photo: Composite image of Donald Trump, Credit: Nathan Howard/Reuters, and Vladimir Putin, Credit: Sergey Bobylev/Reuters)

Producers: Richard Moran and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineer: Dafydd Evans

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Zelensky's diplomatic rollercoaster Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been on a diplomatic rollercoaster in the last few days. His meeting with Donald Trump descended into argument and accusation on Friday. Then, he was greeted with open arms by European leaders at a summit in London. Following that meeting, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a new plan for Europe’s defence of Ukraine – but said it needs US support to succeed. So, where do this hectic series of events leave Zelensky? Is his relationship with Trump permanently damaged? And does he have any cards left to play?

On this episode, presenter Sumi Somaskanda speaks to the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale and the BBC's Daniel Wittenberg, who was in the Oval Office for the meeting between Trump and Zelensky.

(Picture: Volodomyr Zelensky at a summit with European leaders in London. Credit: Javad Parsa/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Producers: Richard Moran and Peter Goffin

Sound engineer: Stephen Bailey

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Emilia Pérez is the most talked-about movie of awards season. But despite a divisive premise about a Mexican drug boss seeking gender affirming surgery, it's the fallout off-screen which is causing controversy. The re-emergence of offensive tweets by its lead star, trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón, has derailed the movie's momentum. After promoters pivoted to remove her from marketing, the film has still seen significant success, but ahead of the Oscars, debate is growing about the extent to which this scandal has harmed its performance.

Lucy Hockings is joined by BBC culture reporter Noor Nanji and Matthew Belloni, entertainment journalist and founder of the digital media platform, Puck. They dissect the noise around the movie, and consider what Academy voters might be thinking.

(Photo: Composite image of Karla Sofía Gascón, Credit: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters, and Academy Awards statuette, Credit: Caroline Brehman/EPA)

Producers: Laurie Kalus and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineers: Phil Bull and James Piper

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Inside Ukraine as Trump targets minerals Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Washington on Friday, after a preliminary deal was agreed to share his country's mineral resources. Kyiv insists it is still seeking additional security guarantees from the US, before anything is signed. Meanwhile, Ukraine's long defence against Russia's invasion continues, and three years into the war some frontline troops have told the BBC they feel revitalised after the Trump administration excluded them from controversial negotiations with Vladimir Putin. But can they really fight on?

On today's episode Jonny Dymond is joined by the BBC's international editor, Jeremy Bowen. We hear his take on the current attitudes of those inside Ukraine, after reuniting with some of the people he met there during the first weeks of war.

Producers: Peter Goffin, Laurie Kalus, and Mhairi MacKenzie

Sound engineer: Phil Bull

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Why are more younger adults getting cancer? Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

The number of cancer cases among the under-50s around the world appears to have risen sharply in the past 30 years. Studies have shown that there are rising cases of breast, colorectal and other cancers in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. But what is driving the increase in younger adults getting cancer and can anything be done to stop it?

Presenter Jonny Dymond speaks to freelance health journalist David Cox about what scientists think could be driving this worrying trend.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Phil Bull

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

China’s approach to Trump 2.0 Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

The challenges and opportunities facing Beijing. China has been recalibrating its economic, political and diplomatic strategies since Donald Trump returned to the White House. From renewing the state’s relationship with powerful tech giants to expanding Chinese influence in the developing world, President Xi Jinping is preparing his country for a new international order.

On this episode, presenter Jonny Dymond speaks to the BBC’s China correspondent Laura Bicker.

(Picture: Headshot of China's President Xi Jinping. Credit: Adriano Machado/Reuters)

Producers: Peter Goffin and Mhairi MacKenzie

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Phil Bull Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Inside Russia: Putin’s war, three years on Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

What have Russians won and lost during the conflict in Ukraine? Three years after the start of its full-scale invasion, Russia has entered talks with Donald Trump – and not Kyiv – about ending the war. For Vladimir Putin, this could be a chance to end the conflict on his terms, and forge a new international order with Russia and the US at its centre. But what about the people who live under Putin’s rule? What do Russians stand to gain from these talks?

On this episode, presenter Lucy Hockings is joined by the BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg.

Producers: Peter Goffin and Mhairi MacKenzie

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Bolsonaro: Is it all over for the 'Trump of the Tropics'? Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

With President Trump back in the White House, his Brazilian former counterpart Jair Bolsonaro is attempting his own return to high office. Bolsonaro has been nicknamed the 'Trump of the Tropics' but he is facing a lot of hurdles to reclaim his position. He has been barred from standing in the next election by the courts and he has been charged with planning a coup.

Jonny Dymond is joined by the BBC's South America correspondent Ione Wells. They discuss the close relationship between Trump and Bolsonaro and ask whether or not Brazil’s former president might ever be able to return to office.

(Picture: Headshot of Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Credit: Adriano Machado/Reuters)

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts, Laurie Kalus and Beth Timmins

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

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