Synopsis
The latest business and finance news from around the world from the BBC
Episodes
-
What's in Vietnam's trade deal with America?
02/07/2025 Duration: 26minPresident Trump announces 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods. Under the agreement, Vietnam will charge no tariffs on imports from the US.Also, members of Congress are wrangling over Donald Trump’s sweeping finance bill. Plus, we explore why remittances to Mexico from workers in the U.S. have seen a sharp decline.
-
Quad countries join forces to secure critical minerals
02/07/2025 Duration: 26minThe US, Japan, India, and Australia are joining forces to secure critical minerals supplies essential for next-generation technologies.In the UK, why is the finance minister appear visibly upset during a House of Commons debate? The US Senate narrowly passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' but now it faces the House of Representatives.In Switzerland, the Women's Football European Championship is kicking off with record sponsorship deals, rising TV audiences, and sold-out stadiums highlighting the tournament’s economic momentum.Plus, do you look at the faces printed on your banknotes? Sam Fenwick finds out why a bank is redesigning notes.
-
Vance saves Trump's ‘big, beautiful’ bill in Senate
01/07/2025 Duration: 26minAfter hours of stalemate, Republicans in the US Senate have narrowly passed Donald Trump’s mega-bill on tax and spending, meaning the proposed legislation has cleared one of its key hurdles. Also, US President Donald Trump has suggested that Doge, the cost-cutting agency Elon Musk helped set up, could be used to hurt the billionaire's companies – as the former allies continue their public dispute over Trump's budget plans. And it's 25 years since one of the world's first and longest transnational bridges was opened in northern Europe – the Öresund Bridge – but it is facing new challenges.
-
Marathon vote on Trump's “Big, Beautiful Bill”
01/07/2025 Duration: 26minThe US Senate holds marathon vote on President Donald Trumps “big, beautiful bill" which has reached 45 consecutive votes, making it the longest vote-a-rama in Senate history.There's a stark warning that cuts to USAID could lead to 14 million additional deaths. What does this mean for economic stabilities of the countries facing these cuts?In Japan, the country is standing firm against pressure to open up its rice market to the US. Plus, one of Europe's most iconic landmarks that drives business and economic growth turns 25.
-
Global supply chain worries hit a record high
30/06/2025 Duration: 26minGlobal supply chains are in trouble, driven by crises due to tariffs, geopolitical shocks and Middle East instability, according to the latest survey carried out by CIPS Pulse of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. Roger Hearing hears from Ben Farrell, CIPS CEO. Also, as a key tariff deadline set by US President Donald Trump draws closer, talks between the United States and many other countries, including India, have hit roadblocks over import duties on auto parts, steel, and agricultural goods. And Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has said it acknowledges the Indian roots of its new footwear line, days after the design sparked a controversy in India.
-
US-Canada: Can a trade deal get done?
30/06/2025 Duration: 26minWhile businesses on both sides of the Atlantic are hoping that the UK-US trade deal - which comes into effect today - will provide a much needed boost, we look at whether Canada can get a breakthrough in talks with their North American neighbour in Washington. Sam Fenwick discusses how backlogs are piling up at major shipping ports across Europe as logistic companies struggle to deal with US president Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies, while unusually low water levels on the Rhine make it even harder for barges to move goods through Germany and the Netherlands. And have you ever tried to scam a scammer? We find out how an AI bots creator in Australia is tackling the growth of fake calls and text messages. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
-
Trump trade: one step forward, two steps back
27/06/2025 Duration: 25minThere's another twist to the tariffs tale... US President Donald Trump says he's stopping trade talks with Canada over a tax he's not happy about.The US and China have reached a trade truce on critical minerals... but how critical is the deal?And Glastonbury has a hippy roots, but it’s making serious money.... we’ll hear how it generates hundreds of millions for the British economy.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
-
Are US-China relations back on track?
27/06/2025 Duration: 26minThe US and China have agreed a new trade deal. Will it finally improve relations between the world’s two biggest economies and speed up the flow of strategic minerals? Bisi Adebayo will be discussing why it is such a big deal. In Brazil, the Supreme Court is taking on Big Tech firms after ruling that social media platforms can now be held directly responsible for users’ illegal posts.And it’s the end of an era, as Microsoft finally waves goodbye to the dreaded blue screen of death after 40 years. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
-
US Economy takes a hit
26/06/2025 Duration: 26minIn the US, the economy shrinks, jobless claims rise, and tariffs start to bite... Will steps toward an agreement with China help the situation?There's been a tax shake-up in Africa’s biggest economy... Nigeria’s President signs off on sweeping reforms. But will they be felt on the ground?And after nearly four decades in charge… Vogue’s Anna Wintour is stepping back. What’s next for fashion’s most powerful woman?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
-
Syria and Lebanon's paths to economic recovery
26/06/2025 Duration: 26minWith the World Bank awarding $150 million to Syria and $250 million to Lebanon in order to help the two Middle Eastern countries infrastructures redevelop after turbulent periods, we discuss what needs to be done to grow their economic confidence. Ed Butler finds out how so-called ticket-pullers are employing teams of people to make millions of dollars through scalping tickets from top UK concerts. And after years of liberalised rules on cannabis, how Thailand may be thinking of cracking down once more on legal weed. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
-
What could $250 million do for Lebanon’s economy?
25/06/2025 Duration: 26minLebanon has secured $250 million in World Bank funding for post-war recovery, to help repair and rebuild critical public infrastructure and essential services. Is the oil giant Shell taking over its rival BP? Plus, Mexico is planning to sue Space X over rocket debris on the beach.
-
Anti-tax anger grows in Kenya
25/06/2025 Duration: 26minAt least two people have been shot dead during protests in Kenya, which marks the first anniversary of deadly anti-tax demonstrations that left 60 people dead. Security forces have barricaded key roads in Nairobi and fired tear gas. Keen to avoid a repeat storming of parliament, President William Ruto has appealed to protesters not to threaten peace and stability. NATO allies agree to boost their military spending off the back of pressure from US President Donald Trump, but is Europe’s defence industry ready for wartime demand? And what happens when E-sport stars call it quits? We look at life after the leaderboard in a billion-dollar industry. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
-
Trump lands in Europe for NATO summit
24/06/2025 Duration: 26minUS president Trump arrives in Europe for the annual NATO summit. He is demanding all member states to commit to spending 5% of national economic output on their militaries.We hear how a social enterprise in Northern Uganda is connecting rural homes and transforming lives by turning agricultural waste into clean, renewable energy.Plus, why are people protesting again a multimillion dollar celebrity wedding in Venice?
-
Israel-Iran conflict's impact on the global economy
24/06/2025 Duration: 26minUS President Donald Trump has criticised both Israel and Iran, despite a ceasefire deal. But what does continuing tensions in the Middle East mean for oil prices and the wider global economy? We’re in Tianjin, China, for the Summer World Economic Forum, where global leaders are meeting against a backdrop of slowing growth and rising trade tensions. And Leanna Byrne speaks to tech specialist Takara Small as Google’s dominance in the UK comes under the spotlight by regulators who say it may need to change how the search engine works. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
-
Iran launches missiles at US airbase
23/06/2025 Duration: 26minIran launches missiles at a US airbase in Qatar in response to strikes on its nuclear sites. This leads to airspace shutdowns in many Middle Eastern countries.We examine whether Iran will now close the world's busiest oil shipping channel, the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, Argentina's economy is expanding. Andrew Peach finds out what is driving the growth.
-
Will Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?
23/06/2025 Duration: 02minA narrow area of sea at the mouth of the Gulf has become the focus of global concern after the United States bombing of Iran. While Iran's parliament has voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, there is no sign of disruption of the sea passage that carries a fifth of the world's oil. So is Iran likely to take action there, and what would the effect be?Roger Hearing discusses whether Germany and Italy will repatriate their national gold reserves of $245billion from the New York Federal Reserve over fears about President Donald Trump’s erratic policymaking amid wider geopolitical unrest. And we hear how the pursuit of shopping convenience is leading to exhausted workers and struggling family-run businesses in India. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
-
Why are global markets so quiet?
20/06/2025 Duration: 26minGlobal markets, including the US, have been quietly calm, although there have been warning signs of looming risks and uncertainty after Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs announcement. What’s behind such market “silence”? Roger Hearing hears from Gillian Tett, the chair of the Editorial Board of the Financial Times and the Provost of Kings College Cambridge, who has been writing about this. And how are businesses navigating global sourcing and supply chain risks and disruptions? A Global Sourcing Risk Index, produced by Proxima and Oxford Economics, shows how much business leaders still need to do. Also, a group of economists, backed by the Vatican, are calling for a reshaping of the international financial system to help developing countries that are heavily in debt and struggling to finance important social issues in their countries like healthcare and education.
-
Time for a rethink on debt?
20/06/2025 Duration: 26minEconomists have been brought together by the Vatican to tackle a global debt crisis. So, is it time to rethink how we help poorer nations in need? Vladimir Putin says Russia's economy is thriving... but as a country under sanctions and at war, how true can this be? In the race for AI dominance, a company called Croq with a Q says its chips can outperform the biggest chip company in the world, Nvidia. Also, retirees are swapping pricey care homes for a sun-soaked Thialand. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
-
How war with Iran impacts Israel’s economy
19/06/2025 Duration: 26minA war with Iran has been harming Israel, not just in the physical effect of missile strikes but also the impact of the conflict and instability on Israel's economy. Roger Hearing hears about how the country’s economy is coping with this.Greenland's minister for business and mineral resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, tells us how she deals with threats of an invasion by US President Donald Trump.And Thailand, a country that has long kept a tight lid on gambling, could be about to change as the government is looking at legalising casinos to boost tourism.
-
Central bankers wait and see
19/06/2025 Duration: 26minHow do you solve a problem like price rises? That's the question central banks around the world are grappling with... and we've seen a flurry of decisions coming out of central banks around the world this week on interest rates. Also, we go to Denmark, where military drones are big business at Europe’s biggest flying tech show. Namibia is rolling out the red carpet for investment... And Thailand could be hitting the jackpot as it plans to open casinos to boost tourism. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.