Business Daily
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World Service,·07 Aug 2026,·21 mins
Available for over a year
What is driving the global shift towards economic protectionism? Will Bain is joined by Jennifer Pak, NPR's China correspondent, and Trevor Simumba, an international business consultant in Zambia, to discuss why the trend has accelerated since Donald Trump's tariffs and why global trade remains resilient despite growing barriers. Plus, why Africa's Lobito Corridor matters for trade, what AI means for jobs in China and beyond, and why drinks giant Diageo is cutting costs. And, two food heroes: China's baozi and Uganda's matoke. (Photo: A ship docks at Lobito Port in Angola, 4 December, 2024. Credit: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann
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Business Daily this week examined several interconnected economic developments. Extreme temperatures across multiple regions are impacting workforce productivity and energy systems, with measurable effects on economic output. Germany is advancing pension reforms that analysts view as significant for broader European economic stability. In Asia-Pacific trade, China's purchasing patterns for custard apples have become a point of tension with Taiwan. Financial markets showed notable movement in technology shares this week, prompting discussion about investor sentiment toward the sector.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.
Find out how to listen to other BBC stations
World Service,·07 Aug 2026,·21 mins
Available for over a year
What is driving the global shift towards economic protectionism? Will Bain is joined by Jennifer Pak, NPR's China correspondent, and Trevor Simumba, an international business consultant in Zambia, to discuss why the trend has accelerated since Donald Trump's tariffs and why global trade remains resilient despite growing barriers. Plus, why Africa's Lobito Corridor matters for trade, what AI means for jobs in China and beyond, and why drinks giant Diageo is cutting costs. And, two food heroes: China's baozi and Uganda's matoke. (Photo: A ship docks at Lobito Port in Angola, 4 December, 2024. Credit: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Heatwaves around the world are affecting productivity, energy demand, and economic growth Germany is planning pension system reforms These reforms could impact Europe's largest economy A dispute over fruit imports is raising tensions between China and Taiwan, centred on custard apple purchases by Beijing Technology shares experienced volatile trading this week, including SpaceX stock Investors may be becoming more nervous about the future of the tech sector
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- Global heatwaves are affecting productivity, energy demand, and economic growth worldwide
- Germany is planning pension system reforms with implications for Europe's largest economy
- Trade tensions between China and Taiwan have intensified over fruit imports, specifically custard apples
- Technology sector shares experienced volatility this week, including SpaceX, raising questions about investor confidence