US and Japan flirt with joint currency intervention

The Trump administration has linked security guarantees for Ukraine to Kyiv ceding the Donbas region to Russia, and there’s speculation that the US and Japan could be working together to support the yen. Plus, Israel’s military announced it had retrieved the remains of the last hostage from the Gaza Strip, and Big Tech companies are on track to dominate borrowing in the US bond market.Mentioned in this podcast:US links security guarantees for Ukraine to peace deal ceding territoryDollar sinks to 4-month low and gold soars past $5,000 as yen leapsIsrael retrieves remains of last hostage in GazaBig Tech’s borrowing spree raises US bond market fearsSend your voice memos to: [email protected]: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Clare Williamson and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agency faces growing backlash after federal agents fatally shot a second protester in two weeks, and Trump teases his pick for the US’s next Federal Reserve chair. Plus, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer goes on the charm offensive in Beijing, and why the US is investing in rare-earths companies.Mentioned in this podcast:Trump faces growing backlash against immigration crackdown after shootingBlackRock’s Rick Rieder surges ahead in race to chair Federal ReserveKeir Starmer prepares for his Chinese charm offensiveUS to invest $1.6bn into rare earths group in bid to shore up key mineralsNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Julia Webster. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intel shares slide 12 per cent as supply constraints limit growth, and Trump’s “Board of Peace” is dividing the US’s allies. Plus, Iran’s government is seizing properties and businesses after protests rocked the country, and Victoria Craig unpacks next week’s meeting of the Federal Reserve. Mentioned in this podcast:Intel shares slide 12 per cent as supply constraints limit growth Iran seizes properties and businesses in crackdown after unrestWho wants to join Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?Fed chair gender reveal postNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Henry Larson, Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump has dropped his tariff threat on Greenland, and the FT’s Derek Brower explains how Trump has navigated the World Economic Forum in Davos. Plus, EU lawmakers have postponed the ratification of a trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American economies, and US Supreme Court justices appeared sceptical of Donald Trump’s efforts to sack Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook.Mentioned in this podcast:Greenland latest: Trump rules out using force but calls for ‘immediate negotiations’Trump’s Greenland pivot puts Europe in a bindHoward Lutnick heckled at Davos dinner as Christine Lagarde walks outEU lawmakers vote to delay Mercosur trade pact over legal concernsSupreme Court justices express scepticism over Donald Trump’s attempt to sack Fed’s Lisa CookBerkshire Hathaway considers selling $7.7bn stake in Kraft HeinzCredit: World Economic Forum, Supreme Court of The United StatesNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US equities and the dollar fell in response to transatlantic tension over Greenland, and the FT’s Robin Wigglesworth breaks down the idea of Europe leveraging its US Treasuries to influence President Donald Trump. Plus, Netflix said that the entertainment industry remains “intensely competitive”, and China is selling drone components to Russia and Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast:Dollar and US stocks fall as Trump says ‘no going back’ on Greenland bidCould Europe really leverage its $12.6tn pile of US assets?Netflix highlights industry competition as it seeks Warner Bros deal approvalThe Chinese suppliers that could decide the drone war in UkraineCredit: ReutersNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China has registered its lowest number of births since records began. European governments weigh up options to bring down the high cost of their state pensions? Saudi Arabian banks borrow at record pace. Plus, Chinese EV carmakers have their eyes on the UK.Mentioned in this podcast:China registers lowest number of births since records beganChina’s GDP grows 5% in 2025 as exports offset weak domestic outlookCan Europe still afford its generous state pensions?Josh Gabert Doyon: https://www.ft.com/josh-gabert-doyonNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Josh Gabert Doyon, and produced by Clare Williamson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Europe considers retaliation measures to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat to NATO allies that oppose his Greenland-takeover bid, Denmark seeks to bolster its own relationship with the Arctic island. Plus, the US capture of Venezuela’s president has boosted demand for Latin America political risk cover. And, geopolitics is the topic du jour at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.Mentioned in this podcast:EU readies €93bn tariffs in retaliation for Trump’s Greenland threatDenmark’s development bank has ‘huge appetite’ to invest in Greenland, CEO saysNicolás Maduro ousting boosts demand for Latin America political risk coverBehind the Money podcast: Davos’ fight for relevance Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Julia Webster and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Credit: NBC, White House, World Economic ForumRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The EU is proposing a new way to allow Ukraine to join the bloc, and it was the best year for US investment banks since 2021. Plus, a look into the iron ore market and the role China is playing in it, and a preview of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Mentioned in this podcast:EU ‘membership-lite’ plan for Ukraine spooks European capitalsJamie Dimon warns Trump administration’s attacks on Fed could boost inflationChina’s state iron ore buyer flexes muscles in talks with global minersBehind the Money podcast: Davos’ fight for relevance FT subscription sale here.Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out military action in Iran and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to call a snap general election. Plus, Donald Trump’s “unpredictable” policies have prompted bond giant Pimco to diversify away from US assets, and US banks push back against Trump’s credit card cap plans. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump says he has received assurances ‘killing in Iran is stopping’Japan’s Sanae Takaichi to call snap electionDonald Trump’s ‘unpredictable’ policies to fuel multiyear shift from US, Pimco saysWall Street hits back at Trump credit card cap plansFT subscription sale  Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two former senior executives at the collapsed subprime car lender Tricolor Holdings pleaded not guilty to fraud and financial crime charges, and Microsoft is pledging to “pay its way” for its AI data centres. Plus, US inflation stayed at 2.7 per cent in December, and we’ll talk about what Balderton Capital’s early investment in Revolut can teach us about venture capital investment. Mentioned in this podcast:Tricolor executives plead not guilty to charges stemming from collapseMicrosoft vows to ‘pay its way’ as it seeks to defuse data centre backlashUS inflation stays at 2.7% in DecemberBillions from a million: the London VC that hit the jackpot with RevolutFT subscription sale  Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello and Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.