World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Has gold lost its lustre?
This precious metals rally has been tarnished after a sudden slide in prices. So what does this tell us about metals like gold, known to be the ultimate safe haven. Can we still call it a refuge when things get rocky? Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: David Cann Editor: Justin Bones
Trump nominates next US Federal Reserve chair
US President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to lead the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, when the four-year-term of current chairman Jerome Powell's ends in May. Rahul Tandon hears from people who worked closely with Warsh. Also, the BBC visits Maracaibo, once the heart of Venezuela's booming oil…
President Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as US Fed Chair
The former Federal Reserve governor has deep ties to Wall Street, was previously interviewed for the job in 2017, and has been an outspoken critic of America's central bank. We’ll ask how financial markets have responded to the news. Also, Venezuelan MPs have approved a bill to open up its…
Toyota sets record sales in 2025
The Japanese auto giant Toyota says global sales set a new record last year, despite trade tensions. What did Toyota do differently to others? This week, gold has again hit another record high – even though the price has dipped slightly today. Our presenter Rahul Tandon hears from one country…
Dollar sinks to four year low
The dollar is normally seen as the ultimate safe haven, it's the currency most other currencies benchmark themselves against – so why is it taking a downward spiral? British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been in Beijing meeting President Xi and says steps have been taken to improve trade with…
Amazon cuts 16,000 jobs as it pushes AI and efficiency
US technology giant Amazon has confirmed it will cut 16,000 jobs around the world. Andrew Peach hears from former Amazon workers and AI experts. Also, why the German authorities have searched Deutsche Bank buildings in Berlin and Frankfurt. And how Harry Styles will overtake Taylor Swift by adding more London…
The Swiss franc flies high
The Swiss franc soars to its highest level against the dollar in more than a decade as investors flee the dollar in search of a safe haven. We look at what that means for Swiss exporters and the central bank. Plus, why have several big global companies announced job cuts,…
India and EU announce 'mother of all trade deals'
A free trade agreement dubbed the mother of all trade deals has finally been announced between the European Union and India after two decades of negotiations. What do businesses make of it? Across the globe then to hear why Canadians are boycotting ski resorts in America. In the US, a…
India and EU agree game-changing trade deal
The European Union and India have announced a landmark trade deal as both sides aim to deepen ties amid tensions with the US. It will allow free trade of goods between the bloc of 27 European states and the world's most populous country, which together make up nearly 25% of…
How are businesses impacted by protests in Minneapolis?
The Trump administration ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to step up the removal of undocumented migrants more than six weeks ago, triggering large scale protests across the US. Rahul Tandon speaks to business owners who say staff are too frightened to come into work. In France, the government moves a…
North Sea nations bet big on wind power
Ten European countries bordering or close to the North Sea, including Germany, France, the UK and Norway, have pledged $11.3 billion to expand offshore wind capacity by 2030. They describe it as a historic deal that will wean Europe off dependency on Russian energy. Plus, France starts debating a ban…
Ukraine's battle to keep the lights on
Andrew Peach speaks to the man in charge of keeping Ukraine's largest private energy company going in the face of relentless Russian drone attacks on the country's networks. And we look at how the US administration's decision to end protected visa status for hundreds of thousands of Haitians is hitting…
TikTok secures US future
The social media giant has finalised a deal to allow it to continue to operate in the United States where its famous algorithm will be retrained exclusively on American user-data. For the past year TikTok's been at the heart of a dispute between its Chinese owner Bytedance and the US…
What’s really in Trump’s Greenland framework deal?
Global economic tensions over Greenland may be fading, but the uncertainty is prompting questions about whether some of America’s trade partners should look to diversify into new markets. Also, the film Sinners sets a new Oscars record with sixteen nominations, but do more nominations always translate into higher box office…
Could a Jeff Bezos satellite network rival Starlink?
Blue Origin, the company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, says it will launch a new satellite-based communications network called TeraWave. We find out if it could eventually rival Elon Musk's Starlink, which currently dominates the satellite internet market. Plus, the conversation in Davos switches to the economic future of…
Trump backs down from tariff threats over Greenland dispute
President Trump makes a u-turn on tariffs after reaching a framework for a future deal over Greenland. Leanna Byrne asks - what do we know about this deal? We also follow the US Supreme Court hearing involving Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, who denies allegations of misrepresenting her home ownership…
Snap cuts deal to settle social media addiction lawsuit
The settlement comes just days before the landmark case was due to go to trial in LA
Davos dominated by President Trump's ambition of Greenland
The World Economic Forum at the Swiss resort of Davos has been dominated by President Trump's ambition to take control of Greenland, and his threat to impose tariffs on European countries that resist. EU leaders could be hitting back with tariffs of their own. So, what are the market reactions…
US Dollar falls as Trump doubles down on Greenland
President Trump insists there’s ‘no going back’ on taking control of the island
Donald Trump steps up pressure over Greenland
The US President remains committed to taking control of the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, leading to strong push back from European leaders. We get reaction from the Duncan Edwards, CEO of the BritishAmerican Business trade body and Matthew Bartlett, Republican strategist and who worked in the State Department during the…