World Business Report

Imogen Foulkes, a BBC correspondent in Geneva, discusses the recent US-Swiss trade deal that slashed tariffs on imports and the role of Swiss lobbying in this shift. Caroline Hustetler, owner of Quality Cheese Inc., shares insights on the immediate relief felt by cheesemakers who have struggled under previous tariffs. John Marsh, owner of St Killian's Cheese Shop, highlights retail impacts and pricing challenges. Meanwhile, Chris Lowe analyzes market reactions, and Maria Hollandhurst talks about innovative apps that help reduce screen time.

Takara Small, a national technology columnist for CBC, and Randeep Somal, a fund manager at M&G Investments, delve into the recent sell-off in tech stocks, particularly AI favorites like Nvidia and Alphabet. They discuss AI fatigue and failed projects contributing to waning investor interest. Randeep highlights macroeconomic factors and profit-taking, while Takara notes geopolitical risks affecting valuations. They also touch on Google’s efforts to comply with EU regulations and the surprising news around Domino's UK sales.

Jürgen Warborn, a Member of the European Parliament, explains the recent vote to relax sustainability reporting rules, arguing it boosts EU competitiveness and saves businesses billions. Tom Gellin, Greenpeace campaigner, criticizes this as deregulation that undermines the EU’s climate credibility, especially at COP in Belém. Yoon Ah-ko brings attention to South Korea's shipyards facing challenges from increased migrant labor, stemming from local skill shortages and wage issues.

Dr. Sam Brody, Director of the Institute for Disaster Resilient Texas and a Texas A&M University professor, discusses critical flood management strategies following a devastating Texas flood that claimed 120 lives. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication systems and community preparedness in disaster situations. The conversation also touches on how recent tariff announcements could impact Canadian businesses, and the growing trend of converting office buildings into residential spaces in New York City, spurred by post-pandemic market shifts.

The big event of 2021 that will shape economies all over the world for decades to come was the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow in November. The meeting saw a deluge of promises, but what was actually achieved? Martin Webber speaks to Tim Gould, chief energy economist at the International Energy Agency and economist Irwin Stelzer, from the Hudson Institute in the United States.It was another boom year for the pharmaceutical industry as it crafted the vaccines that have saved so many lives. Of the 8 billion coronavirus vaccinations worldwide, one billion have been delivered by the US logistics company, UPS. We hear from Wes Wealer, President of UPS healthcare.And small business owners have had a bleak time for much of the past year. But many of those that have survived now feel optimistic. We hear from the owner of the Aroma speciality coffee shop in Bologna in Italy, Cristina Caroli, about her year.

Covid-19 is set to prompt radical long term changes to how we live and work, so what lessons can be learnt when we eventually emerge from the pandemic? Could the changes in the way we work herald higher productivity and happier people in the future?We hear the stories of the people who managed to thrive during a very difficult year, including the milkman who saw a boom in deliveries and the dancer who found work in South Korea when the London stage went dark.Martin Webber is joined by Professor Devi Sridhar who holds the Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh; economist Roger Bootle, of Capital Economics; Robert Reich, former Labour Secretary under President Clinton; Tomas Philipson, who was Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors under Mr Trump; and actor Thomas Inge who is currentl starring in the musical Cats in South Korea.