World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Tariff pressures shift global container flows
We look at global container shipping volumes to assess how tariffs are reshaping trade flows. Two former U.S. Fed chairs, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen, issue a rare warning about political pressure on the central bank — could it damage America’s economic credibility? In Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces…
Japan election: what will happen to trade deal with the US?
Japan's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the country's upper house, but Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he has no plans to quit. How will it affect country's economy? More than 30 of Germany's largest companies are gathering in Berlin to boost investor confidence in Europe's top economy…
EU tightens sanctions on Russia
The European Union sharpens its sanctions against Russia, targeting its financial and energy sectors. Ukraine's President Zelensky calls the move "essential and timely", while the Kremlin warns it will backfire. We also head to Japan, where voters are heading to the polls this weekend in a crucial Upper House election…
What are the key economic issue in the upcoming Japan’s election?
People in Japan will be heading to the polling stations on Sunday, July 20. The economy, the working population, international relations – they've all put pressure on the incumbent government led by Shigeru Ishiba. Trump’s big beautiful bill, although not directly focused on Africa, introduces several provisions with significant indirect…
House passes historic cryptocurrency bill to regulate stablecoin
The US Congress has passed its first major cryptocurrency legislation — the GENIUS Act, aimed at regulating stablecoins and paving the way for wider adoption of digital assets in everyday finance. Also on the programme, Meta settles an $8bn lawsuit over data privacy breaches tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal…
Dozens die in Iraq shopping centre fire
A fire at a newly opened shopping centre in Iraq has killed dozens of people. The blaze in the eastern city of Kut broke out at the Hyper Mall and rapidly engulfed its walls. After a year of prolonged negotiations marked by dramatic twists and turns, the Canadian retailer Alimentation…
Trump rows back on threats to Fed Chairman
We look at the continuing tensions between President Donald Trump and the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. There could be more than 10 million extra people needed in the Russian labour market by 2030. Rahul Tandon hears from a Russian demography expert. And what will happen to…
What would Indonesia get from a US tariff deal?
The agreement, which has limited detail so far, has been welcome by the presidents of Indonesia and the United States. Jakarta plans to buy Boeing planes and Indonesian goods will face a US tariff of 19%. This rate is lower than had previously been threatened. And Senegal’s credit rating has…
Sacre bleu! Will the French allow their PM to reduce the number of public holidays?
Will ending two public holidays in France help to reduce national debt? Rahul Tandon talks to a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics. Indonesia also agreed to purchase $15 billion in US energy, $4.5 billion worth of agricultural products and 50 Boeing jets, “many of them 777’s,” Trump said…
Nvidia to resume AI chip sales to China
The US chip giant Nvidia has announced that it will resume sales of its H20 chip to China. This follows a meeting between chief executive Jensen Huang and President Trump earlier this month. Kenya's government has scrapped electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requirements for most African and Caribbean nations in a…
US President Donald Trump is "very unhappy" with Russia
US President Donald Trump is “very, very unhappy” with Russia, and threatened with secondary tariffs of up to 100% if there is no progress on peace deal within 50 days. Also, the European Union has pledged countermeasures against the United States if the US administration introduces 30 per cent tariffs…
Australia's PM talks trade as he visits China
Regional security and trade have taken centre stage during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China, spanning three cities – Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. Trade ministers from the European Union are meeting in Brussels to discuss relations with the United States following Donald Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs…
Trump visits flood damaged areas in Texas
President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump have visited central Texas today to survey where flash floods killed 120 people last weekend. As search teams continue to search for more than 160 people still missing, Mr Trump and his wife met families affected by the floods and first responders…
President Trump threatens 35% tariffs on Canadian goods
President Trump says he'll impose a thirty five percent tax on imports from Canada... and more if it retaliates. Meanwhile, countries attending the gathering of East and Southeast Asian foreign ministers are threatened with tariffs of up to fifty percent. Andrew Peach hears from a former Malaysian government minister. And…
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to put a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. Brazil says it will retaliate with a 50% tariff of his own. So what does this escalating trade row mean for Embraer—one of the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers based in Brazil? And could it make your…
Trade, not aid, for Africa
As the UK government targets developing nations with new trade measures, we hear from trade minister Douglas Alexander on whether it can prove to be a workable lifeline for African countries affected by western states cutting their international aid budgets. David Harper speaks to Dr.John Asafu-Adjaye of the African Centre…
Trump plans to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil
The US president, Donald Trump, has made public the tariffs he intends to slap on imports from another group of countries, including Brazil, from the start of August. The chipmaker Nvidia has become the first company in the world to reach a market value of $4tn on Wednesday. David Harper…
"Now we do copper" - Donald Trump targets the crucial metal in a trade war
What could the threat of a 50% tariff mean for Chile's copper producers as prices for the metal hit a record high in the US? Also, why is the price of solar panels falling if demand is still growing? And we're at the largest agricultural show in England to hear…
: Trump slaps tariffs on copper
The US President Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on imports of copper, which is critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, semiconductors and a wide range of consumer goods. Sam Fenwick hears from experts in the industry. Also, shares in major US renewable companies took a hit after the…
Post-haste: Will Trump's tariff letters help secure trade deals?
The reaction to President Trump's letters promising steep tariffs from next month. We'll hear how businesses in Japan and Bangladesh are preparing. Why China's dominance in rare earth minerals comes at the cost of polluted water and contaminated soil? And one of the world's biggest professional gaming events, the E-sports…