FT News Briefing

US President Donald Trump sealed a trade deal with Indonesia and the UK had a secret plan to immigrate Afghans to Britain after a data leak. Plus, tariffs have finally hit US inflation, and climate change is driving the sale of catastrophe bonds.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump announces trade deal with Indonesia  Catastrophe bond sales hit record as insurers offload climate ris...

The EU proposes to shift its budget to send billions to eastern European countries, and bitcoin hits a record high as US lawmakers are about to vote on cryptocurrency laws. Plus, chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to talk about the UK’s vision for the financial services sector, and Nissan’s hybrid technology launch in the US.  Mentioned in this podcast: EU budget shake-up to shift billions to ea...

The EU has put trade retaliations against the US on hold, and US investment banking is set to extend its losing streak. Plus, the FT’s Eleni Varvitsioti explains how Greece recovered from economic disaster in the past decade, but still has work to do. Mentioned in this podcast: EU pauses trade retaliation against US after Trump’s 30% tariff threat Investment banking set to extend worst run in over...

India is set to reach a record year in initial public offerings and Big Pharma is facing a wave of patent expiration dates. Plus, Meta goes to trial over who to hold accountable for corporate scandals.  Mentioned in this podcast: India on track for record IPO year The looming ‘patent cliff’ facing Big Pharma  Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Katya Kumcova, Henry Lar...

The UK and France have pledged for the first time to co-ordinate the use of their nuclear weapons, and the copper markets are reeling from US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 50 per cent tariffs on the metal. Plus, Nvidia has hit a record market capitalisation at $4tn. Mentioned in this podcast: UK and France vow to co-ordinate nuclear deterrence for first time Global copper market weighs...

EU negotiators are closing in on a trade deal with Donald Trump that would cement higher tariffs than those granted to the UK, and Boston Consulting Group’s chief executive said the group’s involvement with a postwar plan for Gaza had been “reputationally very damaging”. Plus, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen dismissed the no-confidence motion against her in a speech.  Menti...

US President Donald Trump extended tariff deadlines, and Liechtenstein’s trust industry is in a crisis spurred by American sanctions against Russia. Plus, Shein filed for an initial public offering in Hong Kong, and Elon Musk is trying to save Tesla from Trump.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump renews threat to hit trading partners with steep tariffs Liechtenstein hit by Russia-li...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington DC today to discuss a Gaza ceasefire proposal with US President Donald Trump, and US stocks are booming again despite uncertainty about the wider economy. Plus, Hong Kong’s stock exchange is attracting lots of companies, and venture capital is putting its own tech-focused spin on a private equity business model.  Mentioned in this po...

Donald Trump has secured passage of his flagship tax and spending legislation and the US jobs market exceeded expectations last month. Plus, the future of the UK’s National Health Service could be in jeopardy, and Hong Kong residents cancel trips to Japan over a comic book’s earthquake prophecy.  Mentioned in this podcast: What is in Donald Trump’s giant tax-cutting bill US economy surpasses...

European CEOs are lobbying against AI regulations, and trade officials are rushing to make deals before US President Donald Trump’s tariffs take effect again. Plus, the Pentagon suddenly stalled some weapon shipments to Ukraine, and the UK’s watered-down welfare reform bill could mean higher taxes.   Mentioned in this podcast: European CEOs urge Brussels to halt landmark AI Act US narrow...

The UK government passed its welfare reform bill after making concessions, and Hong Kong’s stocks are beating out mainland China’s. Plus, Eurozone inflation rises to 2 per cent, and Europe turns to France to process rare earths. Mentioned in this podcast: Starmer guts UK welfare reforms to avoid Commons defeat Hong Kong’s bull market leaves China behind   Eurozone inflation rises to ECB’s 2%...

Two of the biggest oil companies in the Middle East scale down their acquisition sprees, and Wall Street’s comeback has dramatically narrowed the gap with European stocks. Plus, the US is lifting sanctions on Syria, and Klarna makes some changes to its business model. Mentioned in this podcast: Gulf oil companies slow $60bn acquisition spree as crude prices fall   US dollar suffers worst star...

The Trump administration is paving the way for more US bank mergers, and China’s online retail giants are losing some key customers. Plus, the race to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is heating up, and the UK is trying to make financial advice more accessible.  Mentioned in this podcast: Deal hunger stirs among US banks US shoppers ditch Shein and Temu as Trump closes tax loophole Wh...

Some members of the UK's parliament fight back against proposed welfare cuts, and early intelligence suggests Iran’s uranium stockpile is still intact, officials say. Plus, the rise of sports gambling in Nigeria is being powered by social media influencers. Mentioned in this podcast: Early intelligence suggests Iran’s uranium largely intact, European officials say A defeat Keir Starmer cannot affo...

Nato members decided on increased defence spending, the Federal Reserve is planning on cutting capital requirements for America’s biggest banks, and accounting firms are ready to open up to public markets. Plus, why US stocks are unfazed by the Israel-Iran conflict.  Mentioned in this podcast: The US, Iran and markets The markets are silent — that is worrying Federal Reserve unveils plans to...

US stocks almost hit record highs amid possible de-escalation in the Middle East, and Johns Hopkins University professor Vali Nasr analyses Iran’s future. Plus, the US Federal Reserve chair signalled no interest cuts this summer, and US states are sending delegates to the EU for advice on green policy.  Mentioned in this podcast: Israel-Iran latest: JD Vance declares era of new Trump foreign...

US president Donald Trump has said Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire, shifting priorities in the US are putting pressure on Nato members in Europe, and emerging markets defy US President Donald Trump’s trade war. Plus, the US has yet to find Iran’s uranium stockpile.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump claims Israel and Iran have agreed ceasefire What happens to Nato if the US step...

The US is now using force to try to eliminate Iran’s nuclear programme, and new tariffs on US household goods take effect. Plus, the chief executive of a Russian burger chain is petitioning President Vladimir Putin to block western businesses from returning, and the CEO of the fintech Revolut could be due for a major pay out.  Mentioned in this podcast: US says it inflicted ‘severe damage’ on...

Russia’s war-time economy is slowing down, and the EU is negotiating a trade deal with the US to keep some tariffs in place. Plus, the Bank of England votes to hold interest rates steady, and a UN official describes violence at aid distribution sites in Gaza.  Mentioned in this podcast: Russia on brink of recession, says economy minister EU weighs UK-style trade deal with US Bank of England w...

The Federal Reserve cut its outlook for the US economy on Wednesday, and in the UK, inflation remains higher than ideal. Plus, Big Tech companies are lobbying for a decade-long ban on AI regulations, and the Israel-Iran conflict has hit the global supply chain.  Mentioned in this podcast: UK inflation was 3.4% in May Federal Reserve cuts outlook for US economy but holds interest rates steady...

US President Donald Trump demands unconditional surrender from Iran on social media, and the Iran-Israel conflict causes Trump to leave the G7 summit early. Plus, the EU relaxes merger rules on defence and Meta will bring advertisements onto its messaging platform WhatsApp.  Mentioned in this podcast: Meta introduces advertising to WhatsApp in push for new revenues Donald Trump leaves G7 earl...

Tensions rise as the EU refuses trade talks with China before next month’s leaders summit, and Airbus announced $10bn of orders at the Paris Air Show. Plus US President Donald Trump’s golden share means heavy influence in the Nippon Steel deal, and energy markets react to the conflict between Iran and Israel.  Mentioned in this podcast: US Steel deal embodies golden age of Trump meddling...

Israel may not have big enough bombs to take down Iran’s most secure nuclear facility, and Nippon Steel’s bid to take over US Steel is finally moving forward. Plus, gold has surpassed the euro as the second most-popular reserve asset, and the UK’s overseas intelligence agency has appointed its first female chief.  Mentioned in this podcast: Gold overtakes euro as global reserve asset, ECB say...

Today, we're bringing you the first episode from the new season of Hot Money. On Hot Money: Agent of Chaos, reporter Sam Jones investigates Wirecard’s chief operating officer — who vanished just as the high flying German fintech collapsed. It turned out he was a Russian spy. From an Ibizan sting operation to an attempted takeover of the Austrian intelligence service, Jones’ reporting spirals...

Israel has launched a strike against Iran, Argentina’s month-on-month inflation rate has fallen below 2 per cent, and Italian, Spanish and Greek sovereign bonds have rallied. Plus, investigators in India are looking into a fatal Boeing 787 crash and the US dollar sank to a three-year low.  Mentioned in this podcast: Israel strikes Iran and braces for retaliation Dollar sinks to three-year low...