Spring Statement highlights tough UK economy

Google’s artificial intelligence arm DeepMind has been holding back the release of its world-renowned research, and Elon Musk has poured an unprecedented amount of money into a Wisconsin state supreme court race. Plus, Lebanon’s new central bank governor Karim Souaid has been mired in controversy. Mentioned in this podcast:DeepMind slows down research releases in battle to keep competitive edgeThe people vs Elon Musk: billionaire transforms Wisconsin court contestLebanon closes in on next central bank headThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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.

Investors warn that higher bond yields in Germany could make it harder for EU members to increase defence spending, and the tech world’s largest public offering in 18 months fell flat on Friday. China was targeted by a record number of trade disputes at the World Trade Organization last year, and traders in Gaza are charging commissions of 30% on hard currency due to severe shortages. Mentioned in this podcast:Germany’s spending push drives up borrowing costs across EurozoneCoreWeave treads water in market debut after downsized IPO China’s export boom sparks record number of WTO disputesThe money menders of Gaza Isar declares rocket launch a success despite crash on first attempt to reach orbit Credit: Isar Aerospace The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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.

As Congress works through President Donald Trump’s recent budget, one of the likeliest cuts on the chopping block is Medicaid. The government health insurance programme is used by one in five Americans, including many voters who make up Trump’s Maga base. So could cuts to Medicaid actually threaten Trump’s hold on Republicans? Washington bureau chief James Politi and US politics and society correspondent Guy Chazan are on to discuss if a showdown is coming between the party’s fiscal hawks and those who’d like to preserve social welfare programmes. Mentioned in this podcast:The big government spending Maga voters can’t live withoutUS House passes budget resolution to cut taxes and spending by trillionsSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Katya Kumkova. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump’s auto tariffs hit carmaker shares and Chinese financial authorities have told some companies they can start launching mainland initial public offerings. Plus, protesters in Turkey are worried about the future of their democracy. Mentioned in this podcast:China opens path to revival in A-share listingsDonald Trump’s tariffs throw car industry into turmoilTurkish protesters rise up against Recep Tayyip ErdoğanThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Katie McMurran, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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 will impose tariffs of 25 per cent on imports of foreign-made autos and Piyush Gupta will step down after 16 years as chief executive at Singapore’s DBS bank. UK inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.8 per cent in February, and Rolls-Royce has seen its share price skyrocket since 2023, in large part due to chief executive Tufan Erginbilgiç. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump to impose 25% tariff on US auto importsDBS and Jack Ma: how a meeting helped change the history of Singapore’s biggest bankTurning round Rolls-Royce: ‘If you don’t score quickly, you lose people’UK inflation slows more than expected to 2.8% The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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.

Beijing has introduced environmental restrictions that would prevent Chinese companies from buying Nvidia’s bestselling processors, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves will update the country on Wednesday on the latest economic growth forecasts, and Shell has said it will cut costs and spending, especially in clean energy. Plus, individual investors have pumped almost $70bn into US stocks this year even as professional money managers are slashing their exposure.Mentioned in this podcast:Nvidia’s China sales face looming threat from Beijing environmental curbsWhat will be in Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement?Shell slashes costs in ‘relentless’ drive to close valuation gap with US rivalsRetail traders plough $67bn into US stocks while investment giants fleeThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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.

Sources tell the FT that China is considering including services in a multibillion-dollar subsidy programme to stimulate consumption, software giant SAP has become Europe’s most valuable company, and BYD’s annual sales have topped $100bn for the first time. Plus, Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to cement its dominance this year, but his ties to US President Donald Trump are shifting from an asset to a liability.Mentioned in this podcast:China explores services subsidy to boost weak domestic demandSAP leapfrogs Novo Nordisk to become Europe’s most valuable companyBYD’s annual sales top $100bn for first time Starlink’s rapid global rollout complicated by Elon Musk’s ties to Donald TrumpThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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.

Canada’s new prime minister calls snap elections, European investors in US equities have been dealt a double blow, and carmakers try to get ahead of US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. Plus, a group of top tennis players has accused the game’s governing bodies of trapping them in an unfair system.Mentioned in this podcast:Mark Carney calls snap election for Canada citing ‘crisis’ caused by TrumpDollar slump magnifies stock market pain for foreign investorsCarmakers rush to ship vehicles to US ahead of new round of April tariffsTennis stars accuse governing bodies of ‘cartel’ to deny them more prize moneyUK comic book makers join forces as AI copycat battle awaitsCredit: CBC NewsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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.

As US President Donald Trump dismantles agencies and challenges institutions across the federal government, Democrats still can’t decide how to oppose him. The FT’s global business columnist Rana Foroohar and Washington reporter Steff Chavez join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to discuss why Democrats’ inability to pick a strategy can prove costly.  Mentioned in this podcast:The Democrats must make a choiceTop Senate Democrat to back Republican bill to avert government shutdownSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSign up for the FT’s White House Watch newsletter Swamp Notes is produced by Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson and Ethan Plotkin. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. CREDIT: YouTube/Forbes Breaking News, YouTube/NBC NewsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European countries are considering how to take on greater responsibilities for the continent’s defence, the UK and the US are negotiating a trade deal to avoid tariffs, and has the Federal Reserve stopped leading the way on global monetary policy? Mentioned in this podcast:European military powers work on 5-10 year plan to replace US in NatoUK races to avoid worst of Trump tariffs with talks on tech taxWhat’s at stake in the US-UK trade talks?Newsletter: Chris Giles on Central BanksThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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.