Bloomberg Daybreak: Europe Edition

Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast: (1) President Donald Trump warned President Nicolas Maduro not to challenge the US and vowed to keep oil seized from a supertanker but declined to say if he’s seeking to oust the Venezuelan leader. (2) Larry Ellison is throwing his personal fortune behind Paramount Skydance’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to give his son’s company an advantage in a fiercely contested takeover battle with Netflix. (3) Novo Nordisk won approval to sell a pill version of its blockbuster obesity shot Wegovy in the US, a crucial step in its effort to defend its market share from rival Eli Lilly (4) Bank of America Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan said that artificial intelligence is starting to have a bigger impact on the US economy. (5) UK businesses ended 2025 feeling more upbeat about the economy’s prospects after they were spared much of the tax pain at last month’s budget. Podcast Conversation: Restaurants Turn to Sweet Wines to Save Labor, Fatten the CheckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Stapchinski, Bloomberg's Asia Energy Editor, discusses the U.S. pursuit of a third oil tanker to disrupt Venezuelan exports and its implications for global markets. Tony Halpin, a journalist covering Russia's economy, elaborates on the dynamics of Ukraine negotiations and the impact of EU loans. They explore gold's record surge amid geopolitical tensions and unveil plans for autonomous taxis by Uber and Lyft in London. Tune in for insights into these critical global developments and their interconnectedness.

John Liu, Bloomberg's Chief China Correspondent, shares insights on China's economic challenges, emphasizing the risks in the property sector and the intricacies of local consumption. Rosa Prince, a Bloomberg opinion columnist, discusses the tumultuous state of UK politics, including potential leadership challenges for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the impact of Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Together, they explore how economic trends and political dynamics in both nations may shaping the future.

Tony Halpin, Bloomberg's lead journalist covering Russia, discusses the EU's €90 billion loan to Ukraine, emphasizing its significance in negotiations and financial stability amid ongoing conflict. Paul Jackson, a Japanese economics reporter, dives into the Bank of Japan's recent interest rate hike, the highest in 30 years, and its potential market impact. The conversation also touches on the implications of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's support and the collapse of René Benko's empire, revealing the intricate connections between finance and current geopolitical events.

Kaja Kallas, Estonia's Prime Minister and a strong advocate for Ukraine, shares insights on the EU's crucial moment in supporting Kyiv during a summit in Brussels. She emphasizes that failed negotiations would signal weakness to Putin, who is counting on European disunity. Kallas discusses the potential use of frozen Russian assets for a significant loan to Ukraine and the importance of a unified EU approach to ensure security. Additionally, she calls for greater European confidence amid strained transatlantic relations and highlights the urgent need to pressure Russia for peace talks.

The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates before Christmas as focus shifts to the struggling economy. BP makes headlines by appointing Meg O’Neill as the first female CEO in Big Oil. Meanwhile, OpenAI seeks a staggering valuation of $750 billion in new funding talks. In geopolitics, Germany considers troop involvement in Ukraine after a potential peace deal. Additionally, the rise of private credit is reshaping Europe's property lending landscape, but concerns about underwriting standards loom.

Oliver Crook, Bloomberg's Chief Europe correspondent, sheds light on the brewing US-EU trade tensions over digital taxes targeting American tech giants. He discusses potential retaliation strategies and the delicate balance of trade negotiations. Grace Akraja, covering the Western Balkans, reveals the complexities surrounding Jared Kushner's investment projects, including the fallout from the collapse of the Trump Tower Belgrade initiative. She also highlights ongoing developments with a luxury resort in Albania amidst corruption inquiries.

Abir Abu Omar, a Middle East economics reporter, reveals the Olayan Group's impressive $13 billion stock portfolio and their pivotal roles in Saudi business. Ewan Potts discusses Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, shedding light on the controversy surrounding a misleading documentary edit. Damien Shepard analyzes the recent downturn in London's luxury real estate market, discussing how tax changes have impacted sales and sharing insights on notable property transactions, including George Lucas's significant purchase.

Mike Heath, Australia’s economy and government editor, reveals shocking details of the Bondi Beach massacre, providing local context and discussing its anti-Semitic implications. Kat Hidalgo, a leveraged finance reporter, dives into Collar Capital’s innovative secondaries strategy, highlighting founder Jeremy Collar's influential role in the industry's evolution over three decades. Their conversations explore the impact of these events on community resilience and the financial sector's adaptive landscape amidst growing market challenges.

Michael McKee, Bloomberg's international economics and policy correspondent, dives into the complexities of the upcoming U.S. jobs report and its confusing payroll data. Ben Sills, managing editor for European Government and Economy, addresses Europe's response to U.S. economic criticism and highlights the need for reforms amid transatlantic tensions. Paul Jackson, a Tokyo-based reporter, analyzes the Bank of Japan's potential policy shifts, rising inflation, and the economic ripple effects tied to China-Japan relations. It's an insightful exploration of global economic drivers!