
Business Matters
Global business and finance news and discussion from the BBC.
Latest episodes

Jul 10, 2025 • 49min
Trump plans to hit Brazil with 50% tariffs
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.

Jul 9, 2025 • 49min
Trump pledges a 50% tariff on copper imports
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.

Jul 8, 2025 • 49min
President Trump threatens tariffs on 14 countries
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.

Jul 5, 2025 • 49min
Trump signs landmark policy bill into law
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.

Jul 4, 2025 • 49min
Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' clears final hurdle in congress
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.

Jul 3, 2025 • 50min
What's in Vietnam's new trade deal with the US?
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?

Jul 2, 2025 • 49min
US vice president saves Trump's ‘big, beautiful’ bill in Senate
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.

Jul 1, 2025 • 49min
Record level of concerns hit global supply chains
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 in Canada.

Jun 28, 2025 • 49min
Trump trade: one step forward, two steps back
There's another twist to the tariffs tale... US President Donald Trump says he's stopping trade talks with Canada over a tax he's not happy about. The US and China have reached a trade truce on critical minerals... but how critical is the deal? And Glastonbury has a hippy roots, but it’s making serious money.... we’ll hear how it generates hundreds of millions for the British economy. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Jun 27, 2025 • 49min
US Economy takes a hit
In the US, the economy shrinks, jobless claims rise, and tariffs start to bite... Will steps toward an agreement with China help the situation?There's been a tax shake-up in Africa’s biggest economy... Nigeria’s President signs off on sweeping reforms. But will they be felt on the ground?And after nearly four decades in charge… Vogue’s Anna Wintour is stepping back. What’s next for fashion’s most powerful woman?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.