World Business Report

A recent agreement between the US and China allows TikTok to continue operating in America, easing national security worries. The discussion also highlights the Pope's concerns about executive pay, particularly regarding figures like Elon Musk. Meanwhile, China's struggling economy faces challenges like local government debt and a slow property recovery. The decline of Labubu dolls raises questions about market trends and investor interests, showcasing the complex dynamics of global markets.

Chris Lowe, Chief Economist at FHN Financial, provides insights into Nepal's first female Prime Minister, Sashila Kharki, facing immense economic challenges amid political upheaval and anti-corruption protests. The discussion covers the impact on youth employment, public trust, and foreign investments. There are also revelations about India's trade negotiations with the EU and the US, alongside a harrowing account of a South Korean worker involved in immigration raids in Georgia. The conversation underscores the complexities of global trade in today's turbulent economic climate.

Albania has appointed an AI-generated minister to tackle corruption, igniting debates about the role of technology in politics. Meanwhile, the potential fallout from countries withdrawing from the Eurovision Song Contest raises concerns over competition and economic impact. The influence of Bad Bunny's music career is highlighted, showcasing his significant boost to Puerto Rico's economy. These topics intertwine the future of governance, cultural influence, and the persistent challenges facing nations today.

In a dramatic development, over 300 South Korean workers from a Hyundai plant in Georgia have been released and returned home, raising questions about U.S.-Korean economic relations. Meanwhile, London's Underground rail strike has wreaked havoc, costing local businesses millions and frustrating commuters. Additionally, the podcast delves into the role of AI in creating speeches, discussing how to discern between human and machine-generated content while examining its impact on leadership and communication.

Mexico is set to impose a hefty 50 percent tariff on Chinese vehicles, aiming to boost local production and navigate complex trade relationships. A former trade official weighs in on President Sheinbaum's strategic move, raising questions about impacts on businesses and consumers. Meanwhile, an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia stirs tensions between the U.S. and South Korea. Plus, excitement builds for Universal's first European theme park, promising significant economic benefits and unique attractions.

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.