Here's Why

French bonds have continued to tumble as Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally party leads polls ahead legislative elections later this month. The moves come after Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned that France would be plunged into a debt crisis similar to one sparked in the UK two years ago if far-right leader Marine Le Pen were to win and implement her economic program. But is he right? Our Managing Editor for FX and Rates, Rachel Evans joins Caroline Hepker to discuss if the warning is more than just political positioning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three sets of recent elections have made waves on the markets. In South Africa, India and Mexico - we saw stocks sell off and currencies weaken as the results rolled in - even if they weren't a total surprise. Is there a common theme behind the market moves? Bloomberg's Markets Live Executive Editor Mark Cudmore joins Stephen Carroll to explain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Central Bank is set to cut interest rates for the first time since 2016, but Federal Reserve policymakers are still saying rates may need to stay higher for longer. Central bank divergence has caused market volatility in the past, but how big a deal is it this time? Bloomberg Opinion columnist Daniel Moss joins Stephen Carroll to explain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has dodged a recession and inflation is on track to normalise, so why don't people feel happier? Judging only by economic data, Joe Biden should be a shoo-in at November's election. But the polls don't seem to reflect that. Bloomberg's senior editor Wendy Benjaminson joins us from Washington to help explain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a time in the not-too-distant past where more free trade was widely considered to be a good thing. Donald Trump, as US President, had a major hand in reviving the use of tools like trade tariffs, but they've continued to be used under Joe Biden too. Bloomberg's Trade Tsar Brendan Murray joins Stephen Carroll to discuss the past, present and future of this key instrument of international trade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia Government and Politics Correspondent Rebecca Choong Wilkins discusses China's President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Europe, focusing on strategic relationships and trade tensions. They delve into China's efforts to maintain positive relations with Europe amidst increasing tensions, analyzing Beijing's subsidies and trade practices, and exploring the complex dynamics of EU-China relations and concerns about the future.

On the first ever episode of Here's Why, host Stephen Carroll speaks to Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Daniel Moss about the recent dramatic moves in the Yen and why there could be more to come.You can read Daniel Moss's full opinion piece on the Bloomberg website here: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-04-30/japan-should-leave-the-yen-bazooka-at-home?srnd=undefinedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.