Business Matters

BBC World Service
  • 3.4 (10)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Business Matters

Global business and finance news and discussion from the BBC.

  1. 13 HRS AGO

    Trump unveiled billions of dollars to build AI infrastructure in the US

    The US president Donald Trump unveiled billions of dollars of private investment in a massive new artificial intelligence infrastructure venture backed by OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle. We look at the immigration restrictions from the US president and find out how will it affect businesses and the economy. Also, we talk about the US bonds market. And we hear from Devina Gupta about cola wars in India. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

    49 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    Donald Trump was sworn in as US president - what's next?

    Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States and mentioned in his speech emphasised: trade, tariffs and transformation. We find out what does it mean for the global economy. We hear from Chris Campbell, the former US Treasury Assistant Secretary during Donald Trump's first term. And we hear the reaction on the political fallout between Mexico and Canada from local business owners. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

    49 min

  3. 4 DAYS AGO

    US Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban law

    The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform by this Sunday. A cold snap in Washington, DC, means Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday will now be held indoors instead of on the steps of the Capitol. Also, Argentina has reported a fiscal surplus for the first time in sixteen years, as a result of comprehensive budget cuts implemented by President Javier Milei. We will look at how immigration is a high-profile public policy issue in many countries, including the United States. So, how does Trump's MAGA movement, which favours a huge cut in the numbers of people receiving work visas, affect the tech sector in Silicon Valley? Throughout the program We will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world: Jyoti Malhotra, editor in chief of The Tribune—she's in Chandigarh, India—and Ralph Silva from the Silva Research Network is in Toronto, Canada.

    49 min

  4. 5 DAYS AGO

    Former Bank of Canada governor runs to replace Justin Trudeau

    Former Bank of Canada governor, Mark Carney, says he is running to replace Justin Trudeau as the leader of Canada's governing Liberal Party. Donald Trump's pick as Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has been defending his boss's economic plans at his confirmation hearing in the US Senate. And, as China prepares to release GDP figures in the next hour, we'll ask how it can stimulate growth, and we will look at who's planning a trip to North Korea during the northern hemisphere holiday. The country has reopened one of its border cities to foreign tourists for the first time in five years. We will be joined throughout the program by two guests on opposite sides of the world: Jessica Khine is in Malaysia and is Head of Asia for Astris Advisory Japan, and Dante Disparte is in Washington, DC—he's Chief Strategy Officer at Circle.

    49 min

  5. 6 DAYS AGO

    Rebuilding Gaza requires billions of dollars

    Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza—raising hopes of an end to fifteen months of war. So, if the ceasefire holds, how long will it take to rebuild from the rubble? What would be the priorities? How much will it cost? And who will pay? We will look at all these with different guests, including the head of the United Nations Development Programme, Achim Steiner. Rice is the staple crop for more than half the world’s population, but it's vulnerable to drought and flooding, impacting global harvests and prices. It's also a contributor to climate change; it uses more water than other grain crops. So, should we eat less rice? We will be joined throughout the program by two guests on opposite sides of the world: Zyma Islam, senior reporter for The Daily Star, who is in Malaysia, and Walter Todd, president and chief investment officer at Greenwood Capital in South Carolina.

    49 min

  6. JAN 15

    Cuba removed from US state sponsors of terror list

    The Biden administration announced a broad set of steps that it expects to lead to the release of political prisoners in Havana. The plans to relax sanctions targeting Cuba were unvealed just days before Donald Trump takes office. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on TikTok's challenge to an outright ban in the US. We find out about the platform Red Note, that might take it’s place. And a pizzeria in the UK is so reluctant to put pineapple on their pizzas, they are instead charging $120 to anyone that orders one. We speak to the restaurant co-owner.

    49 min

  7. JAN 14

    Biden: China will never surpass us

    President Joe Biden has said the United States is in a stronger position because of his foreign policy decisions including maintaining their position as the world’s largest economy. It comes as China reports its biggest-ever trade surplus. The new Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, defeated the Hezbollah backed candidate, the former caretaker prime minister. We find out what this could mean a new dawn for its embattled economy. Cost-of-living pressures have overtaken climate change and the environment as the number one concern for young Australians.

    53 min

  8. JAN 11

    LA's wildfires: the fight and rebuild

    Los Angeles has been devastated by wildfires, forcing nearly 200,000 residents to flee, destroying homes, and taking lives. We hear firsthand from those caught in the chaos, including Julia Pollak, who narrowly escaped the flames. We aslo hear from someone fighting these fires who is also an architect, on how LA can rebuild better. Plus, updates on Venezuela’s contested elections, TikTok’s legal battle in the US, and the impact of tariffs on California’s almond industry.

    50 min
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3.4
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Global business and finance news and discussion from the BBC.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC World Service
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2025
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Business Matters

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