World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
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,…
Lebanon's economic crisis: is there a way forward?
Will Bain discusses the latest efforts to pull Lebanon out of its deepening economic crisis, as the IMF outlines the tough challenges ahead. Also on the programme, the CEO of DHL Express—one of the world’s biggest delivery firms—shares his view on doing business in an era of trade tariffs. And…
Trump threatens 200% tariff on EU alcohol
President Trump has threatened a 200% tariffs on alcohol imported from the EU in response to the EU's plan to impose a 50% tariff on US whiskey Donatella Versace is standing down as creative officer of the luxury fashion label, Versace And the UK's biggest supermarket Tesco has started a…
Should Germany rethink its debt strategy?
Sam Fenwick takes a closer look at Germany’s changing economic landscape. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, the President of the central bank of Germany outlines how Germany and the EU plan to navigate today’s extraordinary challenges. Plus, Donald Trump has escalated a growing trade dispute, threatening a 200%…
Tariffs: The EU and Canada retaliate
The Canadian government says it will follow ‘dollar-by-dollar’ approach and institute 25% tariffs on US imports. This comes after the EU announced its own tariffs on US goods. President Trump says "whatever they charge us with, we're charging them". So what do EU, Canadian and US businesses think? Rahul Tandon…
South Africa’s budget deadlock: Treasury proposes smaller VAT hike
South Africa’s National Treasury has presented a revised budget that includes a smaller increase in value-added tax. The move is aimed at breaking the deadlock within the coalition government after disagreements led to the postponement of last month’s budget—the first delay of its kind in 30 years. Also on the…
Tariffs, threats and backtracking
Canada and the United States have each backtracked on some tariff threats amid further trade turmoil. But America still plans a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday. We hear what a ceasefire could mean for Ukraine’s economy. And, as Manchester United plans to build a $2…
US markets under pressure as Trump targets Canada with new tariffs
As Donald Trump announces plans to double tariffs on Canadian steel and gas, we take stock of how the US markets are reacting. Tesla shares are taking a big hit—but is this about broader challenges facing electric vehicle makers, or fallout from Elon Musk’s political moves? We’ll also head to…
Tariffs: It's a bad day for the US markets
US markets are down today after President Trump refused to rule out recession in an interview — could uncertainty over tariffs and the economy be fuelling the decline? The Nasdaq suffered its worst day in several years, closing down by four percent.How are the on-again, off-again tariffs affecting businesses? Rahul…
China’s tariffs on US farm products take effect
Today, we hear from US farmers on the impact of China’s new tariffs on products like pork, corn, soybeans, and beef. As the trade war between the world’s two largest economies escalates, what will it mean for Chinese consumers?Also, we examine Canada’s new leader—will his experience as a central bank…