World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Tesla awards $29bn of shares to Elon Musk
The world’s richest man could get richer as Tesla’s board moves to give CEO Elon Musk a bigger stake to keep him at the company. We’ll hear from a Tesla investor. Meanwhile, more tariff threats from President Trump - this time against India over its Russian oil purchases. India called…
What South African retailer Shoprite tells us about growth
We begin a new series on Africa’s economic future, as the continent’s population heads toward 2.5 billion. Today, we’re in South Africa. We hear from Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite — the country’s biggest private employer on how customer loyalty helped drive the supermarket’s success. Also, As France ramps up…
US job growth hits pandemic lows as trade tensions rise
The US added 73,000 jobs last month - the weakest performance since the Covid pandemic. Economists were caught off guard, and earlier figures have been revised down. Democrats say President Trump’s trade policy is damaging business confidence and stalling hiring. Meanwhile, tensions with Canada are escalating as Trump hikes tariffs…
Swiss businesses shocked by 39% tariffs
After months of intensive negotiations, the US tariff deadline has finally arrived. Unable to reach a deal at the final hour, Switzerland is reeling from 39% tariffs. We look at how this will affect Swiss businesses, and if it’s likely to stick. Elsewhere, we get the reaction from two other…
The final countdown to President Trump's tariff deadline
The final countdown in on for President Trump's tariff deadline. Without deals in the next few hours, dozens of countries will face the cost of sharply higher tax rates on goods they export to the US - up to close to 50% in some cases. We hear from some of…
US tariff deadline looms
Is President Trump’s trade war gamble paying off? More countries squeeze in last minute deals on tariffs, but many questions remain. Brazil faces 50% levies on its exports to the US. How will this go down with America's coffee-loving consumer? Meanwhile, a potential winner, South Korea is among the countries…
Why will key Brazilian exports escape US tariffs?
President Trump says imports from Brazil will face a 50% tariff from next week. But why did key Brazilian exports get a pass? Also, dissent at America’s central bank, but the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged. And what does Europe’s pharmaceutical industry think of the EU-US trade deal?…
India reacts as Trump imposes 25% tariffs
President Trump has announced that all Indian goods sold in the United States will face a tariff of at least 25% beginning 1st August. In a post on Truth Social, he accused India of imposing unfair tariffs and trade barriers that make it too difficult for US businesses to operate…
Will Trump agree to China's tariff truce?
The U.S. and China move to extend their tariff truce, but it all hinges on President Trump's approval. We’ll hear from voices inside the negotiations. In Syria, growing numbers of refugees in Turkey are heading back, despite the risks. We find out what’s driving their return. Plus, Sam Fenwick finds…
Can the US and China find common ground?
As trade talks continue between the world’s two largest economies in Stockholm, Rahul Tandon hears from Xiaofei Xu of the South China Morning Post on what’s at stake in the US–China negotiations. Plus, the IMF has raised its global growth forecasts for this year and next. And, the BBC’s Shingai…
Withdrawing EU tariff retaliation plan ‘a mistake': former EU Trade Commissioner
European exports to the U.S. are about to face a steep 15% tariff—while American goods heading to Europe will face a zero tariff rate. Is this a one-sided deal? We speak to former EU Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom. We also get perspectives from both sides of the Atlantic: an Irish…
US-EU trade agreement - what's at stake?
The US and EU have struck a new trade agreement, easing tensions over tariffs. Rahul Tandon explores what this breakthrough means for key sectors. We hear from Karin Karlsbro of the European Parliament’s Trade Committee and Hildegard Müller, President of the German Automotive Industry Association as well as Tomas Philipson…
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…