World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Wall Street ends another week at record highs
It's been a busy few weeks on Wall Street's financial market, as stock valuations are close to record levels. The S&P 500 index has hit a string of all-time peaks this month, while US corporate borrowing costs are nearing their lowest level in decades, and Nvidia became the first company…
Thailand-Cambodia border: all trade between two countries is stopped
As a long running dispute over territory in Thailand and Cambodia escalates, we ask how trade between the two countries has been affected and how important it is to the economy of the region. We're also looking at Volkswagen's fortunes, with both changing tariffs and new competition to deal with…
Trump clashes with US central bank chair during visit
President Donald Trump claims further renovation budget overruns adding pressure on US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates. Roger Hearing hears reaction from Loretta Mester, the former Cleveland Fed President. Profits plummet at LVMH, the makers of luxury champagne, jewellery and expensive handbags. And as women’s football…
China and European Union leaders talk trade and critical minerals
China's President Xi Jinping calls for mutual trust and stronger communication with the EU as he welcomes the Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to Beijing. The leaders have discussed trade imbalances, tariffs and critical minerals among other issues. Meanwhile the European Investment Bank starts its Boost Africa initiative in…
Is a trade deal between the US and the EU now very close?
The European Union is racing to secure a trade agreement with President Donald Trump to avert sweeping tariffs. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed optimism, saying “decisions” could be near. We also examine why children’s films are once again powering Hollywood’s box office. And how mounting pressure is pushing gaming…
US and Japan agree trade deal
A trade deal between the United States and Japan has been announced with Donald Trump's threatened tariffs cut from 25% to 15%. Andrew Peach hears from experts about what that means for the two countries, and the rest of the world. Two former bankers convicted of manipulating interest rates after…
Philippines reaches trade agreement with the US
The Philippines and Indonesia join Vietnam in getting tariff reductions from Washington — but what does this mean for the rest of the region? Plus, A London court orders the estate of late tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch to pay nearly $950 million to Hewlett-Packard over the Autonomy deal. And Coca-Cola…
AstraZeneca announces $50 billion investment in the United States
The pharmaceutical giant Astra Zeneca has announced it's to invest $50bn in the US by 2030 as President Trump threatens the sector with tariffs. At a collapsed gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo people are using their hands and basic tools to try to reach victims who are…
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…