Business Matters

There are reports that Donald Trump wants his former trade representative back when he returns to the White House - what does it mean for the economy?Robert Lighthizer was the man who pushed protectionism and tariffs on imports during President Trump's first term. So what will it mean for global trade if he takes up his old job? And will this provoke another trade war with China?Also, why are Swedish police seizing luxury items without formal suspicion?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

America’s central bank has announced a quarter-point rate cut - rates down to 4.5% from 4.75%. It's been the second time in a row that the US Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates. Mostly because the inflation continues to ease and a Trump presidency hangs over the central bank. We hear from economists what will happen next. Also, Rahul Tandon talks to Everett Eissenstat, a former Trump trade adviser. And we look at German economy and find out why Australia plans social media ban for under-16s. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

President elect Donald Trump is promising to increase tariffs of 60% on goods coming into the US from China. We discuss whether this will lead to a trade war between the two economic superpowers.Presenter Rahul Tandon assesses the economic fallout from Donald Trump’s big win over Kamala Harris in the US Presidential race. We explore what this means for the future of relations with China and the issue of tariffs. Bitcoin and the US dollar also reached record highs. We hear why from a US based fintech company. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has sacked his finance minister. We assess what this means for the country's shaky coalition government and will it lead to a snap election next Spring.

Hours before the US elections we take a look at the different economic routes proposed by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and their differing views on taxes, tariffs and inflation. A lot of money has been spent on campaigning and advertising. We find out how much. And what does the US presidential election mean for world trade? We hear from our correspondent in the US. Rahul Tandon discusses these and more stories with two guests on opposite sides of the US: Peter Morici, Economist at the University of Maryland, and Allie Garfinkle, Los Angeles-based Senior Finance Reporter at Fortune.

On today's programme, job growth and housing affordability are front and centre as Trump and Harris visit Michigan and Wisconsin. In Botswana, a new political era unfolds as the long-dominant ruling party is replaced, primarily due to falling global diamond demand. Also, what ever happened to the classic Tupperware party? And how much wealth exists worldwide? Roger Hearing is joined throughout the programme by Mandi Woodruff, Co-host of the Brown Ambition podcast - who's in New York, and Peter Ryan, ABC's senior business correspondent, also in New York.

With the U.S. election in its final stretch, Roger Hearing examines how the economy might sway voters at the polls. Also on the programme, Boeing aims to resolve a costly strike by presenting a fresh offer to its main union. And we explore why concerns over AI costs are weighing down big tech. Roger Hearing is joined by Katia Dmitrieva, Bloomberg’s Asia Economics Correspondent in Hong Kong, and Alexander Kaufman, a Senior Reporter for the Huffington Post in New York.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are making whirlwind tours of key battleground states in the final week of campaigning. Opinion polls show the candidates are neck and neck. Rahul Tandon looks at the swing state of Michigan and examines what really matters to voters there. In the UK, the Chancellor has delivered the first budget of the new Labour government. It was seen as a key moment for the economy, with some describing it as the most important budget for years as the government raised taxes by over $50 billion. Also, millions of people will be celebrating Diwali which can lead to an increased demand for gold. But with the price at record highs is demand for gold falling? Rahul is joined by Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at global nonprofit thinktank The Conference Board, and Tony Nash CEO and founder of Complete Intelligence.

The European Commission has given approval for steep tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. It closes an investigation which started a year ago. They will remain in place for five years.We examine why there is such a high unemployment rate in one of the key swing states in US ahead of the Presidential Election. Our focus is on the swing state of Nevada, and some of the concerns of the people living there. Homeware giant Ikea, says it will put money into a planned hardship fund for victims of the former communist regime in East Germany. This includes political prisoners who were forced to make Ikea products. Presenter Rahul Tandon discusses these and other global business stories with Mehmal Sarfraz a journalist based in Pakistan and Emily Peck the Markets correspondent for Axios based in New York in the US.

Japan’s Prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he will not step down despite failing to win a majority in Sunday's elections. We examine the market’s reaction to the loss and look ahead to whether the opposition parties could form a ruling coalition. We look at Pennsylvania, one of the crucial swing states that may decide US the election. Rahul Tandon examines the shifting voter demographics in industries such as steel manufacturing and trucking. Also, in Germany, Volkswagen plans to close three plants, lay off thousands of workers and cut pay by 10%, according to trade unions in negotiations with the car giant. Rahul is joined by Stephen Nagy, Senior Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies, International Christian University, Tokyo and Anneke Green - Republican Political Strategist at Reach Global Strategies and former political speech writer.

Iranian media say several explosions have been heard in the capital, Tehran, and the neighbouring city of Karaj. We look at the current situation in Middle East conflict.Also, Japanese voters are getting ready to take part in the country's General Election on Sunday. How will it affect Japan’s economy? We speak to business owners and find out what do they expect from this election? And we look at the US election campaign in Texas, plus we learn about the very first online banner ad which went live exactly 30 years ago.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Canada has just announced plans to change its migration policy. The government will reduce permanent residency by 21% from 2025. Migration is a global political issue but it is also an economic one. We get the reaction from the Canadian chamber of commerce Diana Palmerín Velasco.Also, Rahul Tandon looks at the US economy and speaks to democratic economist Bharat Ramamurti. And we find out how potential US tariffs on China could impact businesses.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Boeing workers vote on pay offer on Wednesday. Workers downed tools six weeks ago after rejecting initial pay offer. They’ve been offered a 35% pay increase, over the next 4 years. Also, Tesla’s share price jumps after its 3Q results beat market expectations. We hear from Stephen Moore, an economist and an advisor to Donald Trump’s 2016 Presidental campaign. Plus we have a report about migrants on the US/Mexico border. And we hear why France is home to both haute cuisine and fast food. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Former president Donal Trump has held a rally in North Carolina US police arrested former Abercrombie and Fitch boss Mike Jefferies on suspicion of sex trafficking Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from around the world gather in the US for the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. We hear from the BBC’s Faisal Islam

Israel claims a bunker under a Beirut hospital holds hundreds of millions of dollars belonging to Hezbollah. The hospital has been evacuated Brazil,Russia,India,China and South Africa, also know as BRICS, are set to have a summit meeting this week. The BBC’s Steve Rosenberg tells us more And the worlds largest entertainment company Disney, has announced its CEO’s successor will be announced in 2026

The Cuban government has declared an energy emergency after a huge power cut led to the failure of supplies across the entire country. The blackout came after the Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas - the largest on the island - went offline. The government had already suspended all non-essential public sector services in an effort to conserve supplies. President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the decades-long US embargo against his country for the problem.Meanwhile, in China, latest GDP figures show the slowest growth since early 2023. Rahul Tandon examines what's contributing the country's sluggish economy. The global food industry is growing rapidly - some estimates say it’s now worth more than $10 trillion. But there are growing concerns about how healthy some of that food is. The UN has stepped in, detailing what they want global food producers to do about food labelling.Also, families of fentanyl victims in the US have asked their government to place tariffs on China - for what they say is its role in t

Leanna Byrne looks ahead to China's third quarter growth figures. Beijing's target for this year is 5% but most analysts say it will be missed, despite the recent announcement of a number of fiscal stimulus measures.Leanna is joined throughout the programme by James Mayger, Bloomberg's Senior Reporter who specialises in the Chinese Economy, and Hayley Woodin, Editor in Chief of Business in Vancouver in Canada.

Ed Butler discusses why Italy has decided to criminalise couples who pay for a surrogate birth. Elsewhere in the U.S, we find out from retailers what they want to hear from the new incumbent in the White House. And finally, have you ever found yourself unwittingly paying for a subscription that you thought was free. We are joined throughout the programme by Yoko Ishikura, Professor Emeritus at Hitotsubashi University in Japan and Allie Garfinkle, Senior Finance Reporter at Fortune based in L.A.

Ed Butler is joined by Stefanie Yuen Thio, joint managing partner at TSMP Law in Singapore and Sergio Guzman, director at Colombia Risk Analysis in Colombia.We explore the IMF's prediction that global sovereign debt will exceed $100 trillion by the end of the year. We also look into reports that biotech firm 23andMe may be on the brink of collapse. Once a tech industry favourite, the company now faces legal challenges and questions about its business model. Plus, we follow Kamala Harris on her campaign trail in Georgia, where she's focused on energising Black and Latino voters.

We hear from a a Nobel prize winner - James Robinson - who has received his award today for research into why poor nations stay poor, and others thrive. We get the latest from the US election campaign trail with our reporter Monica Miller, as the focus turns to Pennsylvania.We also remember Lily Ledbetter, the US equal pay pioneer, who's just died at the age of 86.Ed Butler is joined by Maggie McGrath, the editor of Forbes Women, who is in New York, and Karen Percy, freelance business reporter in Australia.

Boeing cuts 17,000 jobs, scaling back 10% of its workforce. Roger Hearing finds out what this means for the embattled aviation maker.Elsewhere, in China, all eyes are on the new government stimulus package aimed at boosting the slowing economy.We also dig into the U.S election, and whether Florida can afford a large scale rebuilding program after hurricane MiltonAnd finally, the Authors Guild is working on a new certification for books to distinguish work authored by humans from that produced by AI…