Business Matters

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? Throughout the program, Roger Hearing will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world—Gaby Castro-Fontoura, Director, Sunny Sky Solutions, who's in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, and Michael Janda, Business Editor, ABC News Australia, in Sydney.

President Donald Trump claims further renovation budget overruns, adding pressure on US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates. Roger Hearing hears a reaction from Loretta Mester, the former Cleveland Fed President. World’s largest fan convention, Comicon 2025 is kicking off in San Diego, which brings over $180 million into the city. 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. Throughout the program, Roger will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world—Alexander Kaufman, award-winning reporter and the author of the newsletter Field Notes on Substack, who's in New York, and Mehmal Sarfraz, journalist and analyst, normally based in Lahore but currently in California.

After the Japanese trade deal with the US, there are reports that an agreement with the European Union is very near.Also, presenter Roger Hearing takes a look at how algae is damaging the fishing industry in Australia.And Iran struggles under a heatwave that makes normal life impossible.

President Donald Trump has announced a major trade deal with Japan, introducing a 15% U.S. tariff on Japanese goods. The news comes as the Philippines and Indonesia join Vietnam in securing tariff reductions from Washington. Plus Roger Hearing examines a tough road ahead for U.S. car-makers grappling with global trade tensions. And could modern science finally crack the age-old quest to turn other metals into gold?

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is under increasing pressure after his coalition government lost its majority in the upper house of parliament. Mr. Ishiba says Japan needs political stability to address its mounting economic challenges.Also, Rahul Tandon examines global container shipping volumes to see how tariffs are redrawing trade routes. And two former U.S. Federal Reserve chairs, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen, issue a rare warning that political interference could seriously damage America’s economic credibility.

Voters head to the polls in Japan this weekend in a crucial Upper House election. The vote comes amid rising economic pressures, including the threat of US tariffs on key exports like cars, high inflation, low productivity and a rapidly ageing population. Also, the EU cuts its price cap on Russian crude oil to 47 dollars a barrel. France says it could force Moscow into a ceasefire in Ukraine.And after three decades on air, could The Late Show become too expensive for US television to sustain?

The US Congress has passed the GENIUS Act — the first federal bill aimed at regulating stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency tied to the value of the US dollar. Also on the programme: the US Federal Reserve weighs inflation risks and Trump’s tariff threats The BBC's Victoria Craig speaks to Boston Fed President Susan Collins. And Uber invests $300 million in Lucid Motors, with plans to launch its own fleet of self-driving robotaxis.

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.

Will ending two public holidays in France help to reduce national debt? Rahul Tandon talks to a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics.Indonesia also agreed to purchase $15 billion in US energy, $4.5 billion worth of agricultural products and 50 Boeing jets, “many of them 777’s,” Trump said later on social media.The US technology giant Nvidia says it will soon resume sales of its high-end artificial intelligence chips to China The move reverses a ban on sales of its chips to Beijing, a ban imposed by President Donald Trump's administration in April, over national security concerns.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.

US President Donald Trump is “very, very unhappy” with Russia, and threatened with secondary tariffs of up to 100% if there is no progress on peace deal within 50 days.Also, the European Union has pledged countermeasures against the United States if the US administration introduces 30 per cent tariffs on imports from the bloc next month.And the latest economic data shows that prices in the Latin American economy rose by 1.6% in June, does it mean that the strategy of Argentine President Javier Milei doesn't work anymore?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

A preliminary report into the Air India crash last month has found that fuel supplies to the engines were cut shortly after take-off causing them to lose thrust. The report also found no mechanical issues with the plane or its engines, bringing renewed focus on to the actions of the two pilots, as two fuel switches on the plane appear to have been switched off manually.Presenter, Victoria Craig, speaks to the BBC's India business correspondent, Archana Shukla, to get the latest.Also on the programme: President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump visited central Texas today to survey where flash floods killed 120 people last weekend. How might disasters like this be avoided in the future?Joining Victoria to discuss business stories from around the world are Andy Uhler, Energy Journalism Fellow at University of Texas at Austin and Amita Arudpragasam, writer and policy analyst based in Sri Lanka.

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to put a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. Brazil promises to retaliate with a 50% tariff of its own. So what does this escalating trade row mean for Embraer, one of the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers based in Brazil? And could it make your morning cup of coffee more expensive? Italian chocolate giant Ferrero is buying one of America's oldest breakfast cereal companies, Kellogg's in a $3.1 billion deal. But are people still eating cereals for breakfast? Plus, why would an airport commission airport sounds to play to passengers ? Throughout the programme, Roger will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world, James Mayger, Bloomberg's reporter on Chinese Economy and Government, who's in Beijing, and Stephanie Hare, researcher on technology and ethics in London.

The US president, Donald Trump, has made public the tariffs he intends to slap on imports from another group of countries, including Brazil, from the start of August. The chipmaker Nvidia has become the first company in the world to reach a market value of $4tn on Wednesday. David Harper hears from experts. And Donald Trump has said the United States is shifting from aid to trade in its relationship with Africa as he welcomed five presidents from the continent to the White House.Throughout the programme, David will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world – Zyma Islam, Senior Reporter at the Daily Star in Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Silicon Valley journalist and author Mike Malone in California in the USA.

US President Donald Trump has threatened a 50% tariff on copper imports. Sam Fenwick hears how critical the metal is in electric vehicles, military hardware, semiconductors and a wide range of consumer technology. Mass federal job cuts can proceed for now after an update from the US Supreme Court. Plus how WeightWatchers, the weight management business, has emerged from a major debt restructuring. Sam Fenwick will be joined by Jessica Khine, a business development consultant based in Malaysia, and Rema Rahman, White House and Legal Affairs editor at The Hill, in Washington.

Japan and South Korea face 25% US tariffs in August. Donald Trump also sent tariff letters to twelve other countries on Monday with details of the tariffs of up to 40% that they could face. We hear from the US Consumer Technology Association on what tariffs could mean for stores across America. Also, as the trading day starts in Tokyo and with elections on the horizon, we ask how Japan's government will interpret President Trump's latest tariff threat.And how street art is encouraging thousands of tourists back to a once-deserted village in southern Italy. Throughout the programme, Sam will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world: Peter Landers, Wall Street Journal Asia Business and Finance Editor in Beijing, and Erin McLaughlin, Senior Economist at the Conference Board in new York.

President Trump has signed his flagship policy bill into law, slashing taxes and welfare while increasing funding for the military and immigration enforcement. But what impact will this have on the U.S. economy and its global relationships? As new tariffs threaten EU agricultural exports, can trade deals be secured before tensions escalate?Plus, we take a look at Velvet Sundown — the mysterious band pulling in over 850,000 monthly Spotify listeners without a single live performance, interview, or identifiable member.

Donald Trump's flagship finance bill has finally passed through congress. But what does it mean for the economy – and for low-income Americans relying on federal support? Plus, Hollywood rolls out yet another Superman reboot – is there still an appetite for the caped crusader? And with Oasis reuniting on stage, we explore the tour merchandise expected to rake in millions.

President Trump has announced a 20 percent tariff on Vietnamese goods under a new trade deal. In return, Vietnam will remove all tariffs on American imports.Also, members of Congress locked in debate over Trump’s major finance bill. And as Del Monte declares bankruptcy - are we all falling out of love with canned food?

After 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. Throughout the programme, Roger Hearing will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world – Mehmal Sarfraz, the Pakistani journalist and analyst who's in Sunnyvale, California, but usually based in Lahore; and Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer at the financial technology company Circle in Washington.

Global 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, 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. Why is it that cassava, a major food source across the world, doesn't make more money for one of the biggest producers – Nigeria? And President Donald Trump blamed AT&T for technical issues in a conference call he has been holding with American faith leaders. Throughout the programme, Roger Hearing will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world – Peter Morici, economist and professor of business at the University of Maryland, who's in Alexandria, Virginia - and Jennifer Pak, China correspondent at Marketplace, usually based in Shanghai but today she's