World Business Report

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 Nyoka travels to Lesotho, the tiny African kingdom unexpectedly caught in the crossfire of the US tariff war, now facing a potential 50% duty on its exports to America.

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 pub landlord in Chicago who imports alcohol, and the CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, who’s focused on exports.Plus, Sam Fenwick explores the global surge in popularity for women’s football and what it means for the future of the sport.

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 who served as the Acting Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the First Trump administration.

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 worth $4 trillion. The United States Treasury has lifted sanctions on several individuals and companies accused of supplying arms to Myanmar's military regime, leading to an outcry by human rights groups. And with Donald Trump doing diplomacy on the golf course in Scotland—is doing business on the green a good thing?

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. And how tech is helping to complete a 143 year construction project in Barcelona.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

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 has been dominating the sporting agenda this week, both in Africa and Europe, we look at where women’s teams must compete for investment and coverage with the men.

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 an effort to unlock venture capital support for entrepreneurship across the continent. Plus Andrew Peach hears how the toy industry is responding to higher costs because of US tariffs.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

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 platforms to censor adult content.

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 the global financial crisis of 2008 have their convictions quashed in the UK. Plus the Malaysian government gives everyone 100 ringgit - approximately 24 USD - to help with the cost of living. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

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 confirms a switch to raw cane sugar — a move backed by President Trump but raising eyebrows among U.S. corn growers.

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 trapped underground. And Andrew Peach looks at the rise of ride hailing apps in Thailand and the impact it's having on taxis and Tuk-Tuks.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

We look at global container shipping volumes to assess how tariffs are reshaping trade flows. Two former U.S. Fed chairs, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen, issue a rare warning about political pressure on the central bank — could it damage America’s economic credibility? In Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces fresh economic headwinds after losing control of both houses of parliament. And in the UK, we visit an Oxfam bookshop in Hove where a donation from Nick Cave is turning rare books into hot sellers.

Japan's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the country's upper house, but Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he has no plans to quit. How will it affect country's economy? More than 30 of Germany's largest companies are gathering in Berlin to boost investor confidence in Europe's top economy. And will NYC mayoral proposal reforms from Zohran Mamdani really work? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

The European Union sharpens its sanctions against Russia, targeting its financial and energy sectors. Ukraine's President Zelensky calls the move "essential and timely", while the Kremlin warns it will backfire. We also head to Japan, where voters are heading to the polls this weekend in a crucial Upper House election that could determine the Prime Minister’s political future amid rising inflation, ageing demographics, and the threat of U.S. tariffs on car exports. Plus, we look at how cryptocurrency theft has hit a record high in 2025, with cybercriminals and even violent attackers making off with billions in digital assets.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Migration, tariffs and challenges of an ageing population are being discussed ahead of an election in Japan's upper house. What could President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act mean for African economies? And the European Union announces an 18th round of sanctions on Russia.

The US Congress has passed its first major cryptocurrency legislation — the GENIUS Act, aimed at regulating stablecoins and paving the way for wider adoption of digital assets in everyday finance. Also on the programme, Meta settles an $8bn lawsuit over data privacy breaches tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Roger Hearing asks what the outcome means for Big Tech. And Arsenal smash records with the world’s most expensive women’s football transfer.

A fire at a newly opened shopping centre in Iraq has killed dozens of people. The blaze in the eastern city of Kut broke out at the Hyper Mall and rapidly engulfed its walls. After a year of prolonged negotiations marked by dramatic twists and turns, the Canadian retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard said it was abandoning its multibillion-dollar bid to acquire the owner of 7-Eleven convenience stores. Plus, we look at the CEO of Nvidia, Jensen Huang’s visit to China amidst the resumption of selling H20 chip to China.

We look at the continuing tensions between President Donald Trump and the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Jerome Powell.There could be more than 10 million extra people needed in the Russian labour market by 2030. Rahul Tandon hears from a Russian demography expert.And what will happen to renewable energy in the US?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

The agreement, which has limited detail so far, has been welcome by the presidents of Indonesia and the United States. Jakarta plans to buy Boeing planes and Indonesian goods will face a US tariff of 19%. This rate is lower than had previously been threatened. And Senegal’s credit rating has faced another downgrade after revelations its former government concealed billions in debt. Plus, why the company behind Labubu dolls expects profits to more than triple in the first half of 2025.(Photo: Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto waves as he arrives following overseas visits at Halim Perdana Kusuma airportin Jakarta, Indonesia, 16 July 2025. Credit: MAST IRHAM/EPA/Shutterstock)

Will ending two public holidays in France help to reduce national debt? Rahul Tandon talks to a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics.Also, Indonesia agrees to purchase $15 billion in American energy, $4.5 billion worth of agricultural products and 50 Boeing jets as part of a trade deal with the United States.Nvidia says it will soon resume sales of its high-end artificial intelligence chips to China. And we look at the new trend - hiring etiquette coaches for Gen Z employees.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.