Morning Brew Daily Paramount Crashes Netflix’s Party & Trump Bails Out Farmers
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Dec 9, 2025 A fierce battle brews as Paramount makes a bold move to acquire Warner Bros., challenging Netflix's dominance. In another twist, China's trade surplus hits a staggering $1 trillion, prompting questions about Trump’s tariffs. Meanwhile, farmers find relief with a $12 billion bailout. And in a quirky turn, tech bros flock to etiquette camps to polish their style and social skills, learning all about suits, ties, and the fine art of ordering wine. Plus, a three-year-old chess prodigy is making waves with an impressive FIDE rating!
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Paramount's Hostile Bid Play
- Paramount launched a hostile tender offer for Warner Bros Discovery at $30 a share, trying to bypass the board and woo shareholders directly.
- Neil Freeman and Toby Howell compare it to a dramatic takeover where Paramount says "take it or leave it" over a 20-business-day window.
Bids Differ Beyond Price
- The Netflix and Paramount bids are not apples-to-apples because Netflix targeted content while Paramount wants the full company including cable assets.
- Regulatory politics and Trump's comments add unpredictable antitrust and political pressure to the outcome.
China's Unprecedented Trade Muscle
- China posted a record $1 trillion trade surplus, showing its dominance in both low- and high-value manufacturing.
- The surplus highlights that U.S. tariffs pushed exports elsewhere rather than crippling Chinese production capacity.