World Business Report

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.