World Business Report

Trump and the Eurozone: Economic Woes Ahead? Nov 15, 2024

How will Trump impact the Eurozone, and can Sri Lanka's president fix its economy?

Donald Trump's pick for health secretary shakes the biotech industry Nov 15, 2024

Global vaccine makers' shares dip after news that Robert F Kennedy Jr is Donald Trump's pick to lead US health department. We find out why. One of China's investments in a Colombian mine has backfired after a drug gang commandeered part of the business. We look into what happened. The European Union has delayed by a year a regulation that was going to ban the import of goods linked to deforestation, a move that has been criticised by companies like chocolate maker Ferrero Rocher. We talk to one of its executives. Sri Lanka has a new president. We hear about the challenges he'll face to lift the economy. And we hear from our correspondent in the US about the latest ruling against a crypto scam.

Philippines braces for a fifth typhoon Nov 14, 2024

Philippines braces for a fifth typhoon in three weeks. Past storms left more 150 dead, and thousands have now been evacuated. We get the latest. As the consequences of global warming become more clear, some of the private finance is now backing stronger moves into renewable energy to mitigate what is happening. We hear about this new trend. And around 4,000 illegal miners are stuck inside an old mine with police officers waiting for them outside. The miners fear they will be arrested if they come out but their families have a different version. We find out.

What should we expect from Musk's new role? Nov 13, 2024

US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Elon Musk for a role in government cost-cutting, as part of his drive to "dismantle" bureaucracy. We speak to Trevor Traina, former United States Ambassador to Austria during Donald Trump's first presidency.

Also, China is showing off its latest generation of stealth fighter jets and other military hardware at its Zhuhai Airshow.

Why Germany is in the midst of a lot of political and economic trouble?

And the New York City council passed a bill that will prevent tenants from having to pay fees to brokers hired by landlords.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Donald Trump appoints Elon Musk to cut government costs Nov 13, 2024

Donald Trump has picked Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk and biotech investor Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new "Department of Government Efficiency" that will focus on cutting costs in the US administration. But is there much to cut? We find out. The US-president elect has still to name a Treasury Secretary, and there are two names that are being suggested by his aides and advisers: Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnik. We hear more about them. India has given birth to some of the world's most innovative start-up companies in recent years. Our correspondent in that country tells us how they're targeting rural areas. And despite the fall in toy sales in the UK, there is a new type of customer who is gaining ground: adults. We look into the increasing number of grown-up customers buying toys.

The 2024 APEC summit begins in Lima Nov 12, 2024

President Xi goes to Lima, as Peru gears up for the thirty-first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economic leaders' meeting.

Bitcoin continues to hit new highs following Trump's victory. How long can it continue?

Jaguar is betting big on EVs and is even going so far as to stopping selling its new petrol cars in the UK entirely.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Oil company Shell wins court battle over emissions Nov 12, 2024

Oil giant Shell wins ruling that it does not have to comply with specific targets to reduce its carbon emissions. Roger Hearing hears from our correspondent in the Hague, Anna Holligan, about what the ruling means for the industry. We find out how the wine industry is being impacted by extreme weather events and climate change. Plus we look at the rise and fall of the Bio-Tech company ‘23 and Me’, as it's set to lay off 40% of its workforce

Court blocks Italy’s migrant plan Nov 11, 2024

It's been three weeks since Italy's far-right government signed the five-year migration deal with Albania. Now, a court has blocked Italy's plan to send asylum seekers to the Balkan nation, disrupting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's main migration policy and raising questions about what's next.

Also, we find out why dockers have been locked out of the Port of Montreal after they reject their latest pay offer.

And we'll speak to one man who's riding the waves of retirement... quite literally.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

COP29: What can the 'finance COP' do to combat climate change? Nov 11, 2024

World leaders meet in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to discuss the funding of policies against global warming in the COP29. We get the latest from our correspondent. In Iceland, a team of scientists are preparing to drill into one of the world's most active volcanoes. Could it provide a source of cheap green energy? We find out. Iran's latest attempt to reduce pollution is resulting in power cuts throughout the country. We hear why. And after the devastating floods in the Spanish region of Valencia, we look into how companies could help keep employees safe during a natural disaster.

Will Donald Trump start new trade war? Nov 08, 2024

There are reports that Donald Trump wants his former trade representative back when he returns to the White House - what does it mean for the economy?

Robert Lighthizer was the man who pushed protectionism and tariffs on imports during President Trump's first term. So what will it mean for global trade if he takes up his old job? And will this provoke another trade war with China?

Also, why are Swedish police seizing luxury items without formal suspicion?

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

The US Federal Reserve cuts rates second time in a row Nov 07, 2024

America’s central bank has announced a quarter-point rate cut - rates down to 4.5% from 4.75%. It's been the second time in a row that the US Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates. Mostly because the inflation continues to ease and a Trump presidency hangs over the central bank. We hear from economists what will happen next.

Also, Rahul Tandon talks to Everett Eissenstat, a former Trump trade adviser.

And we look at German economy and find out why the Japanese car giant Nissan has announced plans to cut 9000 jobs from its global workforce.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

What does a Trump win mean for the global economy? Nov 06, 2024

Will Bain hears from Tomas Philipson, a former economic advisor to the now President-elect Trump on what his new administration’s policies will be.

Young voters in Nevada tell us how they feel about the election result.

Plus with the election will China be facing a huge expansion of tariffs on imports to the US?

Voting is underway in the US Presidential election Nov 05, 2024

James Wickham is joined by Ritika Gupta, our North America Business Correspondent, and George Conboy, the Chairman of Brighton Securities, as voters head to the polls in the US Presidential election. We ask what investors are looking for from a new President - and when we might find out who exactly that is.

In Spain, the embattled prime minister Pedro Sanchez has announced an eleven-billion-dollar aid and reconstruction package for areas affected by devastating flash floods.

Plus we hear about Nintendo's disappointing profits - and whether the promise of a new console is what's holding back sales.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

What can we expect from US elections? Nov 04, 2024

Hours before the US elections we take a look at the different economic routes proposed by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and their differing views on taxes, tariffs and inflation. A lot of money has been spent on campaigning and advertising. We find out how much. And what does the US presidential election mean for world trade? We hear from our correspondent in the US.

The US, economics and an important election Nov 04, 2024

As Americans prepare to go to the polls, Will Bain is joined by the BBC's Economics Editor Faisal Islam to discuss what the US election means for both the future of the world's number 1 economy, but also the wider world.

We look at what the result might mean for the goods we trade, the prices we pay and how whoever wins will shape the direction of the global economy over the next four years.

Our North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury takes a look at the issues of trade and tariffs, while we're also joined by Dr Shuichiro Nishioka, Associate Professor of Economics at West Virginia University to take a historic look at what tariffs mean for the US.

US jobs data: Bad news for Kamala Harris? Nov 01, 2024

The world's biggest economy added just 12,000 jobs last month, far below expectations and down from a revised 223,000 in September. At the same time, the level of unemployment hasn't risen, and consumer spending is up. So what does this mean for the election? Botswana is set to experience a shift in governing parties for the first time in nearly sixty years, largely attributed to a decline in global diamond demand. And just how much wealth exists in the world? Roger Hearing speaks to Dr Renaud Foucart who seems to have worked it out.

Businesses counting the cost of flooding in Spain Nov 01, 2024

On World Business Report Andrew Peach looks at the clear up operation for homes and businesses in Spain where flooding has killed more than two hundred people.

In the US, jobs growth slows as hurricanes and strikes take their toll. But what does it mean for the election? We'll hear what the markets are expecting and focus on affordable housing in the swing state of Georgia.

And Hello Kitty, is fifty find out more about the feline success story.

US elections: Will the economy decide the vote? Oct 31, 2024

The US stands on the verge of an election, with the final major economic data showing lower unemployment and stronger-than-expected consumer spending. But will this shift the outcome?

Plus, we’re in Arizona, a hotly contested state, where immigration takes centre stage.

And the EU opens an investigation into Temu, one of the world’s largest online retailers from China.

How badly could Lebanon's economy be hit by the ongoing conflict? Oct 31, 2024

Sam Fenwick looks at the issues that are driving Lebanon’s economy into a downwards spiral. We look at the economic cost of war as new research suggests Lebanon's GDP could shrink by over 20% amid the ongoing conflict.

The US election is hotting up. We'll look at the cost of health care and how it might determine how people vote.

And find out why a Tasmanian ferry takes an unexpected 'Berth' more than ten thousand miles away in Edinburgh.

Can budgets transform economies? Oct 30, 2024

The UK’s new Labour government has announced its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services. Rahul Tandon examines whether a single budget has the power to transform an economy, and the challenges facing many high-income countries as they wrestle with budget holes and high debt.

Elsewhere, embattled car giant Volkswagen reports a drop in profits, coming soon after reported layoffs and plant closures. Also, the Bank of Japan is set to announce interest rates, the first meeting since the country’s snap election.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you.

Europe's biggest carmaker in trouble Oct 30, 2024

Trouble for Volkswagen as its profits drop and it clashes with unions over possible plant closures, Roger Hearing finds out more.

The EU imposes tariffs on electric vehicle imports from China, and there are reports from Beijing that the government is pushing its carmakers not to invest in EU members who backed the tariffs.

Britain's new Labour government sets out its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services.

And we hear from India about the traditional push to buy gold ahead of the Diwali festival.

EU begins tariffs on Chinese made electric cars Oct 29, 2024

The European Commission has given approval for steep tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. It closes an investigation which started a year ago. They will remain in place for five years.

We hear about plans by homeware company Ikea to put money into a hardship fund for victims of the former communist regime in East Germany. Some including political prisoners were forced to make products for the company.

We hear about Tik Tok's founder Zhang Yiming. He is number one on China's Rich List with an estimated net worth of 49 billion dollars.

Presenter Rahul Tandon examines these and some of the other global business stories of the day.

Is the UK on the brink of a big minimum wage jump? Oct 29, 2024

The UK's lowest-paid workers could get a salary increase of 6% next year according to local media reports. We look into the consequences this could have.

Also in the programme, we talk to US voters in Nevada about their concerns regarding the rise in cost of living. And we hear about HSBC's unexpected jump in profits.

Market reaction in wake of Japan election Oct 28, 2024

Japan’s Prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has insisted he will not step down despite a historic loss by the governing coalition in Sunday's elections. We examine the market’s reaction to the loss and look ahead to what this means for the coalition.

Meanwhile, in Germany, Volkswagen plans to close three plants, lay off thousands of workers and cut pay by 10%, according to trade unions in negotiations with the car giant. And with only a week to go in the US election, we look at Pennsylvania, tipped to be one of the key swing states that will decide the election.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Are three German Volkswagen plants under threat of closure? Oct 28, 2024

Struggling German car giant Volkswagen is planning to shut 3 factories in Germany according to the IGMetall Trade Union. We examine the problems facing the European car industry.

Georgia’s elections were won by the ruling Georgian Dream party but opposition parties claim the election was stolen.

Also, Japanese voters have given the ruling LDP a bloody nose in Sunday’s General Election. We speak to a leading Japanese economist about what happens now, now that no party has a parliamentary majority.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

It’s election weekend in Japan– what can we expect? Oct 25, 2024

Japanese voters are getting ready to take part in the country's General Election on Sunday. How will it affect Japan’s economy? We speak to business owners and find out what do they expect from this election?

Also, we look at the US election campaign in Texas, plus we learn about the very first online banner ad which went live exactly 30 years ago.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Georgia’s path to EU looms over election Oct 25, 2024

Georgia will vote in a crucial parliamentary election this weekend. The country looks to whether their prospects will be better served with closer ties to Russia or Europe. Opposition figures hope a win for them could restart Georgia’s stalled bid to join the EU.

Elsewhere, Jensen Huang the chief executive of the chip developer Nvidia received a warm welcome in India. We look at how Nvidia might affect the microchip and AI industry there. Also, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is one of the year’s most hotly anticipated game releases. We examine its impact at the UK’s biggest gaming show.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

How Canada’s immigration plan will affecting the economy? Oct 24, 2024

Migration is a global political issue but it is also an economic one. Canada has just announced plans to change its policy. The government will reduce permanent residency by 21% in 2025.

We will get reaction from the Canadian chamber of commerce Diana Palmerín Velasco.

Also, Rahul Tandon looks at a final day of the BRICS summit in Kazan. And find out how the US elections will impacting businesses.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

More turbulence for Boeing Oct 24, 2024

Boeing workers have been on strike for the past six weeks. Late yesterday, they rejected a new offer, which included a 35% pay rise over four years. Data suggests this is the most expensive strike in the US this year. Estimates are the strike has cost Boeing over $8 billion, with that figure expected to rise further.

Two big economic summits are ongoing this week. The IMF warns against a global trade war. Meanwhile, in Russia, the BRICS conference is wrapping up and we examine the key takeaways from the summit. And we look ahead to Japan’s snap election, which has been called by the country’s new prime minister Shigeru Ishiba.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voice note: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Boeing workers prepare to vote on pay offer Oct 23, 2024

Boeing workers vote on pay offer on Wednesday. Workers downed tools six weeks ago after rejecting initial pay offer. They’ve been offered a 35% pay increase, over the next 4 years.

Also, we hear from migrants from Latin America who work in the fields of the US state of Pennsylvania. Tesla’s share price jumps after its 3Q results beat market expectations. And we hear why France is home to both haute cuisine and fast food.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Putin opens key trade summit Oct 22, 2024

Leaders of the ten key BRICS nations gather in the Russian city of Kazan for the annual summit. It began eighteen years ago with Brazil, Russia, India and China. In 2010, South Africa joined. And most recently, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were welcomed. Aiming to create what they believe is a more balanced global economy and reduce reliance on Western financial systems, we look at the impact they have on the global economy.

While IMF members are celebrating a slowdown in inflation, festivities are somewhat overshadowed by concerns about rising levels of private and government debt. As its annual conference in Washington DC is getting under way, we hear their outlook for the world’s major economies.

And with 13 days to go to the US election – we look at how border countries like Canada are viewing the prospect of a Harris or Trump presidency. Will it affect their livelihoods?

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Cuba’s double whammy Oct 21, 2024

Essential businesses and schools remain closed until Wednesday as Hurricane Oscar makes landfall in Cuba - an island already in the midst of a massive power failure. Millions have been struggling with a near nationwide blackout after a major power station came offline. The government said power is expected to be mostly restored by Monday evening. We hear how food and water are proving difficult to come by for some islanders.

The High Court in London begins hearing a civil trial over the responsibility for Brazil's worst environmental disaster - the collapse of a mining dam in 2015. Nineteen people were killed and hundreds of homes were destroyed as toxic water was released. Claimants are now seeking $47bn in damages.

And, as the 16th annual summit BRICS is about to be hosted by the Russian President VladImir Putin – we speak to Lord Jim O’Neill. He coined the synonym ‘BRICS’ but told us he felt the organisation ‘no longer knows what it stands for’. Its members - including some new ones attending for the first time - account for 40% of the world's population and around a third of the world's GDP.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Review of the year - 2021 Dec 24, 2021

The big event of 2021 that will shape economies all over the world for decades to come was the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow in November. The meeting saw a deluge of promises, but what was actually achieved? Martin Webber speaks to Tim Gould, chief energy economist at the International Energy Agency and economist Irwin Stelzer, from the Hudson Institute in the United States.

It was another boom year for the pharmaceutical industry as it crafted the vaccines that have saved so many lives. Of the 8 billion coronavirus vaccinations worldwide, one billion have been delivered by the US logistics company, UPS. We hear from Wes Wealer, President of UPS healthcare.

And small business owners have had a bleak time for much of the past year. But many of those that have survived now feel optimistic. We hear from the owner of the Aroma speciality coffee shop in Bologna in Italy, Cristina Caroli, about her year.

Review of the year - 2020 Dec 25, 2020

Covid-19 is set to prompt radical long term changes to how we live and work, so what lessons can be learnt when we eventually emerge from the pandemic? Could the changes in the way we work herald higher productivity and happier people in the future?

We hear the stories of the people who managed to thrive during a very difficult year, including the milkman who saw a boom in deliveries and the dancer who found work in South Korea when the London stage went dark.

Martin Webber is joined by Professor Devi Sridhar who holds the Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh; economist Roger Bootle, of Capital Economics; Robert Reich, former Labour Secretary under President Clinton; Tomas Philipson, who was Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors under Mr Trump; and actor Thomas Inge who is currentl starring in the musical Cats in South Korea.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected