Synopsis
The latest business and finance news from around the world from the BBC
Episodes
-
Businesses prepare for Trumps ‘Liberation Day’
31/03/2025 Duration: 26minBusinesses prepare for Trumps ‘Liberation Day’ as the United States heads towards massive introduction of import taxes later this week Japan is one of the US’s biggest investors. How will they cope with tariffs? We hear from Stephen Nagy Professor at the International Christian University in Tokyo. We also hear from Cleveland-Cliffs steel, a US steel company that supports the implementation of tariffs
-
Myanmar earthquake: assessing the humanitarian and economic toll
31/03/2025 Duration: 26minAs Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, the official death toll has now exceeded two thousand. Sam Fenwick examines the country's economy as rescue operations continue and preparations for rebuilding begin. The world watches closely as President Trump’s so-called "Liberation Day" on tariffs approaches. Plus South African businesses work to repair relations with the US following criticism of the country's land reform policies.
-
Myanmar Earthquake: How does aid get to where it’s needed?
28/03/2025 Duration: 26minMyanmar'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 prime minister, Mark Carney, says he has told Donald Trump that Ottawa will impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods from early April.
-
UN reacts to Myanmar earthquake
28/03/2025 Duration: 26minMyanmar'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 flu outbreak. We hear from a bakery in Brooklyn on how they are coping with the inflated prices of eggs
-
Canada defiant on Trump car tariffs
27/03/2025 Duration: 26minThe 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 in a new spin-off company of the French gaming giant Ubisoft, which owns franchises including Assassin’s Creed and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.
-
Trump announces tax on imported cars
27/03/2025 Duration: 26minPresident 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 announcement that he plans to sell two ports in the Panama Canal to a US consortium And the Elizabeth Line in London will soon be operated by Japan's Tokyo Metro company. The BBC’s Mariko Oi speaks to their CEO
-
Trump targets the auto industry in new tariffs
26/03/2025 Duration: 26minThe 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 since a cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. The owner of the ship agreed to pay 102 million in damages back in September, and now it’s expected that the new bridge will be finished in 2028. And Rahul Tandon discusses Marvel announcement of the production for Avengers: Doomsday, which is underway and appears to have revealed its cast.
-
UK announces extra $2.8 bn for defence
26/03/2025 Duration: 26minThe 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 from their homes. And, In the US judges have blocked Universal Music Group's request to stop the AI company 'Anthropic' from using their song lyrics to train its AI mode
-
Ceasefire terms: Is Russia lying?
25/03/2025 Duration: 26minUkraine'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 juice? Roger Hearing finds out.
-
Ukraine and Russia agree Black Sea ceasefire
25/03/2025 Duration: 26minUkraine 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 rural villages in Africa in order to bring electricity to create Bitcoin.
-
Trump vows tariffs on Venezuela oil buyers
24/03/2025 Duration: 26minPresident 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 vehicle company, BYD overtook Tesla.
-
Turkish economy under pressure from anti-government protests
24/03/2025 Duration: 26minAnti-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 Beijing. The country is seeking to shore up foreign business confidence. And why are the chart-topping K-Pop group NewJeans not allowed to go on the stage anymore? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
-
Africa's economic future: growth or uncertainty?
21/03/2025 Duration: 26minSome 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 a new tax on workers and businesses aimed at bridging the funding gap left by the suspension of USAID support.And at London's Heathrow Airport, questions are being asked about its resilience, after a fire at a nearby electrical substation forced Europe’s busiest airport to shut down, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded.
-
How a fire shut down Europe's busiest airport
21/03/2025 Duration: 02minEurope'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?
20/03/2025 Duration: 26minThousands 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 Canada.And Russia and Ukraine discuss a potential ceasefire on energy infrastructure—but who will benefit most?
-
Trade wars: China targets Canada
20/03/2025 Duration: 26minChina 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 benefits?
-
Fed predicts higher inflation and slow growth for US
19/03/2025 Duration: 26minThe 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?
19/03/2025 Duration: 26minUkraine'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 Hollywood’s biggest producers, Village Roadshow, has filed for bankruptcy. The production house was responsible for titles such as ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Ocean’s Eleven’.
-
Germany passes historic debt reform
18/03/2025 Duration: 26minGermany’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 and a gut healthy prebiotic are teaming up.
-
OECD says Mexico economy will shrink due to tariffs
18/03/2025 Duration: 26minThe 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 energy giant, to court arguing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions are causing glaciers to melt, increasing the flood risk to his home And consumer protection group in Hong Kong has advised people looking for a new mattress to take an in-store nap before buying