The International Monetary Fund has terminated a $175 million loan programme with Malawi, citing poor economic management. The IMF said Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, had failed to fully restructure its unsustainable debt, but the country’s government argues that it has decided to suspend this until after the elections in September this year. Rahul Tandon heard from Malawi Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda and the IMF Mission Chief.
 
And we will look at President Trump saying that India offered to drop all tariffs on US goods, something India swiftly denied.
 
Total airline revenue for ancillary services like baggage and seat selection is set to reach 145 billion according to the International Air Transport Association.

IMF terminates a $175 million loan for Malawi

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

Novo Nordisk, the company that makes the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is abruptly ousting its chief executive, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, over concerns the firm is losing ground in the popular weight-loss drug market.
 
Consumer boycotts of countries and companies are on the rise, with the latest being an Indian tourism boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan. This comes as some Canadians boycott the US, while others refuse to buy from some specific companies over their policies.
 
And Rahul Tandon hears about why some private companies in the USA see an opportunity in this rail sector, as there are concerns over the US federal government looking to pull back from supporting rail.

Wegovy firm unexpectedly forces boss to step down

Indian tourists and companies start to threaten boycotts of Turkey and Azerbaijan - we'll explain why and what kind of impact it could have.As Portugal gets set for elections we hear Antonio Fernandes reports from Lisbon.And the businessman who travels a lot, and therefore needs a very important employee to take care of his office cat...You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Indians boycott Turkey and cancel travels

As US-Iran nuclear program talks gained traction, we look how the new deal can affect Iranian economy.Meanwhile in India, traders are jittery after President Donald Trump claimed that India might drop all tariffs on U.S. goods. India, for now, has pushed back.And, the new research shows China’s carbon emissions have dropped — even as energy demand continues to rise.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

US is about to make a nuclear deal with Iran

The Presidents of the World's two leading economies are meeting leaders from the Middle East and Latin America in order to gain new trade partners, with Qatar signing one of the largest ever aircraft deals with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, while Brazil has signed 36 commercial agreements with China. Rahul Tandon finds out who is getting the bigger deals, and why running a global shipping line is as complex as ever. Meanwhile, how will the Federal Reserve in the United States deal with its contradictory mandate of pursuing maximum employment alongside price stability?The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

Touring for new trade partners

The US has lifted sanctions on the country after 14 years of restrictions on almost any ort of trade. We hear the reaction from the business owner in Damascus.Also, we hear from one Chinese exporter over the reduced tariffs agreed between Beijing and Washington. Plus - fears about conditions for foreign workers as Saudi Arabia build facilities for the 2034 World Cup.And the strange tale of the missing texts between the head of the European Commission and the boss of one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms...You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

US unchains Syrian's businesses

The US and Saudi Arabia announce a wave of AI and defence deals. Sam Fenwick finds out who benefits and what businesses in the Middle East make of it. Plus China lifts its ban on Boeing aircraft deliveries and what went wrong at Nissan?

US & Saudi Arabia announce huge investment deals

Saudi Arabia and the US have announced a number of economic tie ups during President Trump's trip Riyadh we find out what they've talked about.Also today As African business leaders meet in Cote D'Ivoire How do they see the United States when it comes to trade and economic development? We'll hear from the CEO forum in Abidjan.And if the international airline hoping AI can help cut flight delays.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Why is Trump in the Middle East?

The retaliatory tit-for-tat rise in tariff rates between the US and China has been cancelled, following talks in Switzerland and the so-called "reciprocal" tariff rate of 34% is lowered to 10%. It's a ceasefire on what has become a global trade war as markets are rising again, and container ships can set sail across the Pacific.But economically, who benefits more from this short-term ceasefire—Washington or Beijing?Britain's Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has promised the government's new immigration measures will mean net migration falls "significantly" over the next four years.Keir Starmer unveiled plans to ban recruitment of care workers from overseas, tighten access to skilled worker visas and raise the costs to employers in an effort to curb near record net migration.

US and China pull back from behind brink

The US and China have agreed a deal that will significantly cut the import tariffs, or taxes, both sides have imposed on one another for a 90-day period.We hear the reaction from Chinese business owner, the former undersecretary for international trade at the US Department of Commerce and a trade analyst.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Tariffs have fallen....but is the trade war over?

Join Roger Hearing ahead of this weekend's meeting in Switzerland of Chinese and American diplomats for trade talks this weekend. The stakes are high, as the outcome could reset the future of economic relations between the world’s two largest economies. Also, we hear how Chinese Auto makers, who struggle to sell vehicles in North America because of the import tariffs, are expanding rapidly in many markets around the world.And the government of Mexico is suing Google Maps over its decision to use the name "Gulf of America" instead of the longstanding "Gulf of Mexico".

US and China set to hold trade talks in Geneva, Switzerland

The US President Donald Trump has proposed cutting tariffs on goods from China to 80%, ahead of trade talks between the two countries in Switzerland. The world’s two biggest economies have been in a trade war since January.The boss of the company behind Zara and other fast fashion brands has been calling on the EU to crack down on Chinese e-commerce firms Shein and Temu. We hear from Óscar García Maceiras, the Chief Executive of Zara's parent company Inditex. Plus Will Bain looks at cricket’s Indian Premier League – one of the richest sporting events in the world – which has suspended matches for a week in the wake of growing tension between India and Pakistan.

US-China trade talks set to begin in Switzerland

The US has agreed to reduce import taxes on a number of British goods - should we expect other deals on the way?Also, who is Pope Leo XIV? And how is he going to deal with the Vatican's finances?The Spanish parliament is debating reducing the current workweek from 40 to 37.5 hours for over 12 million people, we hear why the Spanish business association thinks it's a bad idea.And not all of us have $200bn to give away, but Bill Gates does and he says he will. We find out why.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

The first tariffs deal between US and UK - who will be next?

President Trump has announced that his administration has reached a trade deal with the United Kingdom. Speaking in the White House, President Trump said the agreement would provide access to the British market for American beef and agricultural and industrial products.The presidents of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, have held what they described as productive talks at the Kremlin. China is Russia's biggest trading partner. It buys large amounts of oil and gas, helping to compensate for the loss of Western markets that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.And Andrew Peach hears that Western Sahara, a disputed territory in North Africa, is experiencing a major economic change. Why? Well, it traces back to President Trump’s 2020 decision to recognise Morocco’s claim over the region, and now, with Trump back in power, highways, airports, and wind farms are rising from the desert in a multi-billion dollar development push.

Trump and Starmer announce US-UK tariffs deal

The Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said America's central bank would leave its key interest rate unchanged because of tariff 'uncertainty'. We hear from Gary Schlossberg, a global strategist for Wells Fargo Investment Institute and a former researcher at US Treasury and Federal Reserve.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Fed keeps interest rates unchanged despite Donald Trump pressure

In this World Business Report special, Will Bain looks at how US tariffs have affected the Chinese economy, with the two countries set to hold their first talks since the start of the trade war. 
 
The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, will meet China's Vice Premier, He Lifeng, in Switzerland on Saturday. 
 
The US introduced a one- hundred and forty-five percent tariff on Chinese imports last month, while China placed retaliatory one hundred and twenty five percent import taxes on American goods. Will hears from Chinese exporters and trade experts.

US-China trade talks to begin this weekend

The Canadian Premier Mark Carney is in Washington trying to strike a deal with the US President. Carney says Donald Trump is "willing to negotiate" a new trade deal and drop the tariffs following "wide-ranging discussions" at the White House.The presenter Rahul Tandon will look at the other trade deal between the UK and India. Countries have agreed for export whisky, cars and other products to India, and cut taxes on India's clothing and footwear exports.Also, we look at the German economy after Friedrich Merz eventually elected German chancellor.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Carney announces ‘constructive discussions’ with the US

Will Bain hears from Germany where Friedrich Merz has become Chancellor - after unexpectedly suffering a setback in the first round of voting in Parliament. His party ,the Christian Democrats, have agreed a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats, promising a responsible and stable administration that'll boost Germany's stagnant economy.
 
The UK and India have announced a free trade deal after years of negotiations, which the British prime minister Kier Starmer called a historic day for both countries.
 
Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, is set to sit down with President Trump to discuss easing some of their trade tensions.
 
OpenAI, the parent of artificial intelligence service ChatGPT, has announced a new governance plan after a bitter power struggle over the business and criticisms from the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.

Merz elected German Chancellor - at second time of asking

US President Donald Trump has said he will hit movies made in foreign countries with 100% tariffs, as he ramps up trade disputes with nations around the world.The European Union has announced a five-hundred-and-sixty-million-dollar fund to attract foreign scientists. Will it work?Also, Rahul Tandon will find out why China is growing their interest in snooker.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

How will tariffs affect US and global film industry?

President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on all films made outside the United States - claiming Hollywood was being 'devastated' by a trend of American filmmakers and studios working abroad. He accused other countries of luring film crews with tax breaks, calling it a threat to national security. Will Bain hears from a filmmaker who worked on Star Wars. And in West Africa, A ban on foreign gold traders in Ghana’s local gold markets, has come into effect and the government of Ghana says that this is part of efforts to boost national revenue and streamline the country's mining sector. Also, as a working parent, you'll be able to confirm that childcare whilst you're out at work can be expensive - prohibitively so in some cases. In the US it seems to be one of the rare topics where politicians of all colours agree something urgently needs to be done.

Trump plans to hit non-US-made movies

Shares of Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, tumbled by as much as 8% on Friday morning after it announced that it has delayed the launch by a year – to May 26, 2026. With the company being valued at around 40 billion US dollars, that is a lot of money being shaved off.
 
The U.S. President Donald Trump repeated that he will revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status, saying that "We are going to be taking away Harvard's tax-exempt status. It's what they deserve!" Harvard, which is already suing the Trump administration, said that this is unlawful.
 
And Skype Will Shut Down on Monday, May 5, As Microsoft Shifts to Teams. Davina Gupta will hear from one of the creators of the Skype ringtone.

Rockstar shares tumbled after delaying the release of GTA 6

US job figures were healthier than expected in April with an increase in employment of 177,000 while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%. David Harper looks at what it means for the economy. Also, Americans have got used to buying cheap imports from places like China, without paying import duty. That's now changing as tax is being collected on low-value packages.Australians are heading to the polls this weekend, our reporter has been finding out how the international economic situation has become a key factor in the election.And, fancy a 'Golden Visa' for Kazakhstan? If you've got a couple hundred thousand dollars, you could...You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

US jobs figure beats expectations

As trade wars continue, we explore how businesses of all sizes are surviving. Will tariffs dominate Apple and Amazon's earnings? And how are small businesses staying afloat?The US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal which President Zelensky says is an "equal partnership". Andrew Peach speaks to the US’ former Deputy Director for Batteries and Critical Materials.Plus, the World Health Organisation says cuts in US foreign aid could lead to the worst ever disruption in global health funding.And we're hearing stories from Colombia, where support for small businesses could help to keep the peace.

Tariffs: How can American businesses survive?

The US and Ukraine have signed a deal that will give Washington access to some of the war-torn country's natural resources. We're unpicking some of the detail behind a deal to exploit mineral resources in Ukraine.A state backed blog in China suggests that the US might have floated the idea of talks on trade tariffs.And we're hearing stories from Colombia, where support for small businesses could help to keep the peace.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

A deal on Ukraine minerals: but what’s in the small print?

While President Trump has praised his tariffs again, the US economy has shrunk for the first time in three years. Meanwhile, China's factories take a big blow amid the ongoing trade war. Rahul Tandon speaks to small businesses owners feeling the pinch. Plus, with elections looming in Australia this weekend, we take a closer look at the soaring cost of housing—and what it could mean for voters.

Are tariffs biting the United States and China?

The US economy contracts during President Trump's first three months in office. GDP fell by 0.3%... Mr Trump blames former President Biden.
 
Meanwhile China blames US tariffs for falls in its manufacturing figures... but there are more positive numbers in Europe.
 
Also, Andrew Peach hears from the UN Assistant Secretary General about Afghanistan's economy under Taliban rule.
 
And we'll hear why a fall in demand for diamonds is very damaging for Botswana.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

US GDP shrinks for the first time in three years

On the programme we are looking at Donald Trump's first 100 days in power, during which he has talked a lot about tariffs, and there have been many changes to trade policies.
 
Rahul Tandon looks at the key important economic events of the initial 100 days and the way they have upended global trade.
 
Also, Mark Carney is celebrating his election victory in Canada, although Canadian broadcaster CBC projects his party will fall just short of the 172 parliamentary seats needed for a majority.

Trump’s first 100 days in office

Roger Hearing looks at the economic impact of the first 100 days of the second Trump Presidency, as the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the changing of policy around tariffs creates "strategic uncertainty" . We also hear from Mexicans deported from the US under the president's push on immigration.
 
Meanwhile Mark Carney's Liberal Party wins the Canadian election. But what can Mr Carney do to deal with the tariff threat? We'll hear from one of Canada's leading industrialists.
 
Plus the European court of Justice rules that Malta's 'Golden visa' scheme is illegal.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

President Trump’s first 100 days - "Strategic uncertainty"?

Canadians are voting in a general election which has been dominated by Donald Trump's trade war and threats to annex the country. The leaders of the two main parties rejected a renewed assertion by Mr Trump on election day that Canada should become the fifty-first US state.Devina Gupta hears from the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam, who is in Ottawa, and Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses.
 
And the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has urged people not to speculate over the cause of a massive power cut that's affected millions of people across Spain and Portugal.

Canadians are voting in an election dominated by the global trade war

Roger Hearing hears how a massive power cut has hit Spain and Portugal, along with parts of France. Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said it was working with energy companies to restore power.
 
Also - the impact of US tariffs begins to bite as there's a big downturn in goods arriving from China.
 
The steepest rise in global spending on defence since the end of the Cold War - we'll find out who's buying what.
 
Plus Kenya lifts a ban on licencing new commercial banks - and what are the economic issues as Canadians go to the polls?
 
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Massive power cut hits large parts of Spain and Portugal

A new survey by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research has revealed that consumer confidence in the United States has seen its largest drop since 1990. In Canada voters go to the polls on Monday, and a big issue will be the country’s future relationship with the US. Rahul Tandon discusses the growing economic divide in North America with prominent Canadian businesswoman Arlene Dickinson. And California has overtaken Japan to become the fourth largest global economic force behind Germany, China and the US as a whole.

Confidence in the US economy sinks

Donald Trump has signed a controversial executive order aimed at stepping up deep-sea mining within the US and in international waters. The Thursday order is the latest issued by the US president to try to increase America's access to minerals used by the aerospace, green technology and healthcare sectors.
 
Andrew Peach hears from Gerard Barron, Chairman and CEO, The Metals Company, which has been long pushed for permission to mine in the seabed, and Duncan Currie from Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, which is campaigning against mining in the seabed.

What are the economic implications of deep-sea mining?

China has said no to any trade talks until the US withdraws its tariffs, but which of the World's two superpowers will blink first and bring the growing trade war to a halt?Rahul Tandon finds out how children's Christmas presents could fall victim to the US-China trade war, as President Trump's tariffs threaten to disrupt the global toys market.As the situation in Kashmir develops and Pakistan suspends all trade with India, we hear from Uzair Younhis on what the economic impact will be on Pakistan if India suspends its water flow down the Indus River.Meanwhile, there's concern for the survival of Africa's shea nut tree which provides an income for millions of women.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

US and China: Who will blink first?

As tensions rise, Pakistan says any attempt by India to limit its water supply will be seen as an act of war. This comes after India blamed Pakistan for the attack in India-administered Kashmir, and introduced a series of measures, including the suspension of a water-sharing treaty and the closure of the main border crossing. And in Washington, South Korea’s delegation are meeting the US diplomats today to discuss about the 25% tariffs across the board with more on semiconductors, steel and cars. China and Kenya agreed on Thursday to boost ties to a new level and oppose trade barriers, following talks between President Xi Jinping and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Beijing.
 
And we hear about shea butter, which provides an income for millions of women across Africa, but environmentalists say climate change is impacting the growth and yield of the trees because of prolonged droughts – and there are fears it could impact global supply.

India-Pakistan trade tension over Kashmir attack

And Rahul Tandon talks to a former advisor to Jerome Powell about the US President's blistering attacks on the Federal Reserve chair.

US and China: What's going on?

Beijing says the door for trade talks with the US is wide open, though it's also criticised President Trump's negotiating tactics. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Washington couldn't say it wanted to reach a trade agreement with China while simultaneously exerting extreme pressure.
 
Shares in Tesla are up nearly five per cent following remarks by its billionaire boss, Elon Musk, that he is likely to scale back his work for the Trump administration next month.
 
Around the world, wine production is in decline due to global warming that is causing extreme weather conditions, which affect harvests, and fewer of us are drinking wine.

China is ‘open’ to trade talks with the US

President Trump says tariffs on China “will not be anywhere near 145%” but won’t be removed all together. It follows US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying he expected a ‘de escalation’ in US China tariffs.The International Monetary Fund has revised its global growth forecast in the wake of Trump’s tariffs, with the US expected to be hit hardest.And the boardgames industry is suffering the consequences of tariffs. A number of companies have launched a legal case against the Trump administration. Among them is Stonemaier Games, we speak to their President.

Trump suggests China tariffs will fall

The International Monetary Fund has slashed its outlook for global growth, adding that US tariffs and market uncertainty will lead to a significant worldwide slowdown.
 
India and the US are making progress in negotiating a bilateral trade deal after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US Vice President JD Vance in Delhi.
 
And in the UK, an isolated island where Stormzy wrote an album is on sale – and expected to go for more than £25m ($33m). Andrew Peach hears from Simon Pelling, the director at Fine and Country, the agents who are selling the island.

IMF downgrades global economic growth

Stocks tumble on Wall Street as the week begins. The reason seems to be President Trump's desire to replace the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell.The US Vice President JD Vance has met with India's prime minister Narendra Modi to discuss a trade deal.And the United Nations says the cyberscam industry is expanding globally including to South America and Africa. We hear from International Justice Mission which has been campaigning to help the people forced to working at these scam centres.

Big falls on Wall Street as the week begins

US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in the Indian capital, Delhi, where he is due to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid global trade tensions sparked by Washington's tariff policies. The talks are likely to focus on fast-tracking a much-awaited bilateral trade deal between the two countries.
 
The spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank kick off in Washington today, with the state of the global economy front and centre.
 
And we hear about Dubai’s new academy focusing on training creators who produce content for social media and how they can become influencers. Marc Ashdown speaks to Jeremy Jauncey, the founder of Beautiful Destinations, which is behind Dubai’s New Academy.

VP Vance is in Delhi to meet Modi amid tariff tensions

Tension has grown between President Trump and head of the Federal Reserve. Jerome Powell has faced fierce criticism from Donald Trump, who's accused him of being too slow to cut interest rates.
We speak to Chinese manufacturers about the impact of tariffs on their business
And a host of new Star Wars films and TV shows have been announced. Ryan Gosling, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, will take the lead.

Tension grows between President Trump and Jerome Powell

As President Xi concludes his tour of key East Asian exporting nations, Will Bain explores what deepening ties with Cambodia could mean for the region which also faces the threat of high US tariffs. Also on the programme, the United States unveils plans to impose new port fees on Chinese-built and operated ships—part of a push to revive its domestic shipbuilding industry. China warns the move will disrupt supply chains and hurt global trade. And we head to the European Alps, where a rare spring snowstorm has brought both chaos and celebration.

Xi concludes regional tour in Cambodia hailing "ironclad friendship

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.

Review of the year - 2021

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.