Xi’s balancing act with Europe

A special live recording of the FT News Briefing at the FT Weekend Festival in Washington, DC on May 4, 2024. Our wonderful colleagues played a friendly game of news trivia. How does your knowledge stack up? The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Biden once criticised Donald Trump’s trade war with China, but things look a lot different in an election year. The FT’s US climate reporter, Aime Williams, and US financial editor, Brooke Masters, join Swamp Notes to explain why the president announced such sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods this week, and how it could help him win votes. Mentioned in this podcast:Why Washington’s new tariffs on Chinese clean tech goods matterJoe Biden and Donald Trump battle to prove who can be toughest on ChinaSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Original music by Hannis Brown. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com CREDIT: CBS News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Supreme Court rejects an existential legal challenge to the country’s top consumer finance watchdog, a $10bn US property fund is running low on liquidity as investors demand their money back, and Russia and China agree to tighten military ties and deepen their economic partnership after talks in Beijing. Plus, central banks around the world are impatiently waiting for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.   Mentioned in this podcast:US Supreme Court rejects challenge to top consumer finance agencyVladimir Putin and Xi Jinping vow to co-operate against ‘destructive and hostile’ USDangers of dollar nationalism hang over the world economyCan the strong dollar be tamed?Starwood’s $10bn property fund taps credit line as investors pull moneyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Manuela Saragosa, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US inflation report sent stocks to record highs and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot on Wednesday. Plus, the FT’s John Reed explains why India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so popular. Mentioned in this podcast:US inflation falls to 3.4% in AprilSlovak premier Robert Fico shot and injuredNarendra Modi launches candidacy in India’s marathon electionHow to understand Modi’s IndiaCREDIT: Sansad TVThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Breen Turner, Jyotsna Singh, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden administration is encouraging Arab states to participate in a multinational force that could deploy in Gaza once the war ends, Anglo American plans to thwart BHP’s £34bn takeover bid by breaking itself up, and the US is sharply raising tariffs on Chinese imports from electric vehicles to solar cells. Plus, Singapore’s new prime minister has his work cut out. Mentioned in this podcast:US encouraging Arab states to join multinational postwar force in GazaAnglo American plans break-up to thwart £34bn BHP bidUS sharply raises tariffs on Chinese EVs and semiconductor importsLawrence Wong, Singapore’s next PM faces an ever trickier balancing actThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The carmaker behind Fiat and Peugeot is in talks to invest in Indonesian nickel, the meme-stock movement came back to life, and Chinese authorities have kicked off plans to sell $140bn of long-dated bonds to stimulate the economy. Plus, what Russia’s new defence minister means for the country’s war effortMentioned in this podcast:GameStop soars in meme stock flashback as ‘Roaring Kitty’ reappearsWho is Andrei Belousov, Russia’s new defence minister? Stellantis in talks with Vale to invest in Indonesian nickel smelterChina fires starting gun on $140bn debt sale to boost economyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tries to revive Conservative morale with a speech in London, four Chinese generative artificial intelligence start-ups have been valued at more than $1bn in the past three months, and US shale oil companies are under the spotlight over allegations of manipulating prices. Plus, the frontrunner in Mexico’s presidential election is promising more of the same.Mentioned in this podcast:Rishi Sunak to warn Britain ‘at a crossroads’ as he readies Tories for electionUS shale companies accused of collusion over oil priceFour start-ups lead China’s race to match OpenAI’s ChatGPTMexico’s presidential frontrunner defends sweeping legal reformsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Federal Reserve is fiercely independent, but that doesn’t mean politicians always treat it that way. The FT’s US national editor, Edward Luce, and acting US economics editor, Claire Jones, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain how the central bank’s policy could affect the economy and therefore have an impact on the election result. Plus, why a second term for Donald Trump could put pressure on the Fed to play politics.Mentioned in this podcast:Trump’s dot plot for the FedJay Powell’s dilemma: the US economy is too strong to cut ratesGlobal inflation and interest rates tracker: see how your country comparesSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Original music by Hannis Brown. CREDIT: US Federal ReserveRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anglo American’s crucial South African shareholders are open to a takeover offer from BHP, Nippon Steel has vowed to push ahead with its $14.9bn acquisition of US Steel, and China’s President Xi Jinping has hailed Hungary as one of Beijing’s most important strategic partners. Plus, most pandemic corporate winners have turned into post-pandemic losers. Mentioned in this podcast:Anglo American’s South Africa investors open to improved BHP bidNippon Steel predicts ‘calmer discussions’ with unions after US presidential electionXi Jinping upgrades China’s ties with Hungary to ‘all-weather’ partnership Pandemic-era winners suffer $1.5tn fall in market valueThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shares in Arm drop after it reports lacklustre revenue projections, Singapore is studying proposals to shake up its struggling stock market, EU countries have agreed to use an estimated €3bn in profits from Russia’s frozen state assets to buy weapons for Ukraine, and a newly expanded pipeline in Canada breathes life into the oil industry. Plus, hedge fund manager Sir Paul Marshall has lost a legal battle with the South African government over shipwrecked treasure. Mentioned in this podcast:Arm shares drop as revenue forecast falls short despite AI boomSingapore battles to revive struggling stock marketEU agrees to arm Ukraine using profits from Russian state assetsCanada’s oil industry cuts reliance on US market as pipeline expandsHedge fund boss Paul Marshall loses case over silver salvaged from shipwreckThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.