World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Myanmar Earthquake: How does aid get to where it’s needed?
Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has made a rare request for international help after a powerful earthquake hit the centre of the country, flattening buildings and bridges. The US vice president, JD Vance, has accused Denmark of underinvesting in the security of Greenland and leaving it vulnerable. The Canadian…
UN reacts to Myanmar earthquake
Myanmar's military rulers have appealed for international help after a massive earthquakes Australians will head to the polls on May 3rd, after the prime minister Anthony Albanese called a federal election And America is seeking to import eggs from European countries as they're in short supply due to the aviation…
Canada defiant on Trump car tariffs
The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has said the United States is no longer a reliable partner after President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on car imports. Rahul Tandon speaks to businesses in both the US and Canada. China's biggest company, Tencent Holdings, has made more than a billion-dollar investment…
Trump announces tax on imported cars
President Trump has announced a 25% import tax on cars and car parts coming into US. The president said the measure would lead to "tremendous growth" for the industry. China has reportedly ordered state-owned firms to pause new deals with businesses linked to Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, following his…
Trump targets the auto industry in new tariffs
The US President Donald Trump has announced plans for long-promised tariffs on automotive imports shipped into the United States, and the tariffs will go into effect on 2nd April and will apply to finished cars and trucks that are shipped into the United States. Also, Maryland is marking one year…
UK announces extra $2.8 bn for defence
The UK announces an extra $2.8 billion to be spent on defence. The announcement was made as part of the UK Chancellors, Rachel Reeve’s, Spring Budget. At least twenty-four people have been killed in the deadliest forest fires in South Korea's history. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated…
Ceasefire terms: Is Russia lying?
Ukraine's President Zelensky says Russia is "lying" about the terms of their Black Sea ceasefire. Russia, in turn, insists that certain sanctions on banks, insurers, and food exporters must be lifted before the ceasefire takes effect. Can reshoring work in Canada? Plus, why are consumers turning their backs on orange…
Ukraine and Russia agree Black Sea ceasefire
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a ceasefire on the Black Sea. The White House says Russia and Ukraine have agreed a safe passage for commercial shipping Tesla’s sales in Europe fall despite upswing in electric vehicle market And a cryptocurrency company is planning to roll out mini-power plants to…
Trump vows tariffs on Venezuela oil buyers
President Trump said that any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela will pay a 25% tariff on trades with the US. He also said he may give some countries a tariff break. Why has a popular DNA testing firm filed for bankruptcy? Roger Hearing finds out how Chinese electric…
Turkish economy under pressure from anti-government protests
Anti-Government protests in Turkey have reached levels not seen in more than a decade. How will it affect Turkish economy? Will Russia reach a Black Sea deal? We head to China, where executives from 80 multinationals -- ranging from Apple and Blackstone to Pfizer and FedEx -- are gathered in…
Africa's economic future: growth or uncertainty?
Some forecasts place Africa as the world’s second-fastest-growing region in 2025, trailing only East Asia. But with uncertainty clouding the global economic outlook, Ed Butler explores whether the continent can maintain its growth momentum with Sim Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank, Africa's largest commercial lender. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s parliament has introduced…
How a fire shut down Europe's busiest airport
Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, says it will be closed all day because of a fire at an electrical substation. Thousands of people and global flights have been affected. So how has such a major transport hub failed? Andrew Peach speaks to an expert in emergency planning.
Myanmar's scam centres: Why do they exist?
Thousands of people have been forced to work in Chinese-run scam centres in Myanmar, carrying out online fraud targeting victims around the world. Ed Butler explores why these centres exist—and hear the remarkable story of one woman who managed to escape. Also, China imposes a fresh wave of tariffs on…
Trade wars: China targets Canada
China is imposing tariffs on a variety of Canadian products. It follows Canadas tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Andrew Peach finds out how much debt the world is in ? Plus the International Olympic Committee is about to elect a new President. But does the cost of hosting outweigh the…
Fed predicts higher inflation and slow growth for US
The US Federal reserve holds interest rates. The rate remains unchanged despite the uncertainty created by tariffs Argentina's economy has shrunk 1.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. We hear from Professor of Economics at Belgrano University, Luis Arguero And how will the second hand clothes marker benefit from tariffs?
How has Ukraine’s energy infrastructure survived the war?
Ukraine's power plants have been the subject of missile assaults since the beginning of the war. We ask how has Ukraine’s energy infrastructure survived the war? Germany’s Parliament has passed historic ‘debt backed’ defence spending measures, so the country can borrow far more for weapons and infrastructure. And one of…
Germany passes historic debt reform
Germany’s parliament has approved plans to inject up to €1trillion into the country’s military and infrastructure, in a move that could revive Europe’s largest economy. A Chinese electric vehicle company has developed a new battery that can charge a car in 5 minutes. And Will Bain finds out why soda…
OECD says Mexico economy will shrink due to tariffs
The OECD has said Mexico’s economy will shrink due to tariffs imposed by the US. Mexico is now forecast to contract by 1.3% this year and shrink a further 0.6% next year, instead of growing by 1.2% and 1.6% as previously expected. A Peruvian farmer has taken RWE, the German…
Trade turmoil hits the global economy
A major global policy forum, the OECD, has predicted that President Trump's trade tariffs will hit world growth and raise inflation. It has more than halved its growth outlook for Canada. Why does China want people to spend more cash? And Will Bain finds out how an Irish religious holiday…
Gold hits $3,000 per ounce
Gold has surged to a record $3,000 per ounce amid global economic uncertainty. But why do investors turn to gold in turbulent times? And who else benefits—legally or illegally—when prices spike? We hear from Adrian Ash of BullionVault and Julia Yansura from FACT. Meanwhile, Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney,…