World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
US Business body reacts to Donald Trump's "beautiful" bill
Business body in the United States gives reaction to Donald Trump's " big beautiful" bill. It contains tax cuts as well as money for defence spending and funds for his deportation programme. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has dropped a case which attempted to block Microsoft's $69-billion purchase of "Call…
US House passes Trump's mega tax-cut bill
A massive tax and spending bill has just been passed by the US House of Representatives. The so-called mega-bill would extend tax cuts from President Donald Trump's first term, end taxes on tips, and increase military and border spending. The sportwear giant Nike is raising prices - but how much…
US and South Africa trade talks turn tense
A trade talks meeting turned tense at the White House, when President Trump clashed with South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa over discredited claims of white genocide in South Africa. We hear from a key voice in the president Ramaphosa's advisory council. It's a big week for cryptocurrency - Bitcoin hit an…
Will the US Congress pass Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'?
With US President Donald Trump's tax cut and spending bill facing opposition from both Democrats and fellow Republicans during a rare overnight session in Congress, is America's economy standing at a crossroads? It could bring tax reductions, and tighten the availability of healthcare, but increase the United States' debt by…
EU plans fee on cheap Chinese parcels
The EU plans a €2 fee on cheap parcels from China, hitting companies like Temu and Shein. We hear from the Chief Executive of the European Consumer Association. Syria has a chance to reboot its economy as the EU lifts some sanctions. We hear from Syrian businesses on what this…
The Chinese battery maker powering ahead of its competition
China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) supplies major carmakers including Tesla, Volkswagen and Toyota. We ask how it has become one of the world's fastest-growing firms. Elsewhere, a 50-year land dispute off West Africa is now centred on oil deposits. And, the flight attendants in Spain who have been…
From fishing to food exports: What's the UK's deal with the EU?
The UK and the EU have reached a new deal setting out post-Brexit relations on areas including fishing rights, trade and defence. We hear from the Irish fishing community, a food exporter in the UK and what a "youth experience scheme" could mean for businesses in France. Also, Andrew Peach…
UK-EU deal: what impact could it have on businesses?
The UK and the EU have reached a new deal setting out post-Brexit relations on areas including fishing rights, trade and defence. We look through what's actually been agreed, what it means for businesses and consumers right across Europe and find out what it tells us about global trade more…
Wegovy firm unexpectedly forces boss to step down
Novo Nordisk, the company that makes the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is abruptly ousting its chief executive, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, over concerns the firm is losing ground in the popular weight-loss drug market. Consumer boycotts of countries and companies are on the rise, with the latest being an…
Indians boycott Turkey and cancel travels
Indian tourists and companies start to threaten boycotts of Turkey and Azerbaijan - we'll explain why and what kind of impact it could have. As Portugal gets set for elections we hear Antonio Fernandes reports from Lisbon. And the businessman who travels a lot, and therefore needs a very important…
IMF terminates a $175 million loan for Malawi
The International Monetary Fund has terminated a $175 million loan programme with Malawi, citing poor economic management. The IMF said Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, had failed to fully restructure its unsustainable debt, but the country’s government argues that it has decided to suspend this until…
US is about to make a nuclear deal with Iran
As US-Iran nuclear program talks gained traction, we look how the new deal can affect Iranian economy. Meanwhile in India, traders are jittery after President Donald Trump claimed that India might drop all tariffs on U.S. goods. India, for now, has pushed back. And, the new research shows China’s carbon…
Touring for new trade partners
The Presidents of the World's two leading economies are meeting leaders from the Middle East and Latin America in order to gain new trade partners, with Qatar signing one of the largest ever aircraft deals with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, while Brazil has signed 36 commercial agreements with China. Rahul…
US unchains Syrian's businesses
The US has lifted sanctions on the country after 14 years of restrictions on almost any ort of trade. We hear the reaction from the business owner in Damascus. Also, we hear from one Chinese exporter over the reduced tariffs agreed between Beijing and Washington. Plus - fears about conditions…
US & Saudi Arabia announce huge investment deals
The US and Saudi Arabia announce a wave of AI and defence deals. Sam Fenwick finds out who benefits and what businesses in the Middle East make of it. Plus China lifts its ban on Boeing aircraft deliveries and what went wrong at Nissan?
Why is Trump in the Middle East?
Saudi Arabia and the US have announced a number of economic tie ups during President Trump's trip Riyadh we find out what they've talked about. Also today As African business leaders meet in Cote D'Ivoire How do they see the United States when it comes to trade and economic development?…
US and China pull back from behind brink
The retaliatory tit-for-tat rise in tariff rates between the US and China has been cancelled, following talks in Switzerland and the so-called "reciprocal" tariff rate of 34% is lowered to 10%. It's a ceasefire on what has become a global trade war as markets are rising again, and container ships…
Tariffs have fallen....but is the trade war over?
The US and China have agreed a deal that will significantly cut the import tariffs, or taxes, both sides have imposed on one another for a 90-day period. We hear the reaction from Chinese business owner, the former undersecretary for international trade at the US Department of Commerce and a…
US and China set to hold trade talks in Geneva, Switzerland
Join Roger Hearing ahead of this weekend's meeting in Switzerland of Chinese and American diplomats for trade talks this weekend. The stakes are high, as the outcome could reset the future of economic relations between the world’s two largest economies. Also, we hear how Chinese Auto makers, who struggle to…
US-China trade talks set to begin in Switzerland
The US President Donald Trump has proposed cutting tariffs on goods from China to 80%, ahead of trade talks between the two countries in Switzerland. The world’s two biggest economies have been in a trade war since January. The boss of the company behind Zara and other fast fashion brands…