Viewsroom

Breakingviews columnists talk about the big numbers, crunchy deals and nasty spats in global business and economics, offering a weekly dose of financial insight that goes beyond the concise and provocative views readers get from our columns every day.

News
1
‘Pro-growth’ M&A policing is a misnomer
The transatlantic trustbusting consensus forged by Lina Khan and Margrethe Vestager is already fraying. In this week’s Viewsroom, Breakingviews columnists discuss if it will lead to mergers involving national champions such as GSK and BP, and in turn remedy some economic ills.
25 min
2
US markets’ exceptionalism goes into reverse
https://www.reuters.com/podcasts/the-big-view/us-markets-exceptionalism-goes-into-reverse-podcast-2025-03-20/
20 min
3
Germany’s fiscal pivot gives Europe rare hope
24 min
4
China’s AI catch-up begins to look inevitable
21 min
5
Unpredictable White House vexes CEOs everywhere
President Donald Trump’s upheaval of governance norms is a destabilizing force. His policies and pronouncements make it harder for bosses to allocate capital. In this week’s Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the impact on corporate America, and beyond.
25 min
6
German elections chart course for a lonely Europe
Voters in the EU’s largest country are set to go to the polls as US leaders threaten to withdraw military support from the continent, economic malaise lingers, and the far-right AfD gains ground. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the electoral stakes.
23 min
7
Japan’s M&A wave is just getting started
The country’s corporate giants, nudged by reform, are exploring big deals. Carmakers Honda and Nissan, convenience store 7-Eleven’s owner and others are testing waters at home and abroad. In this week’s Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how far it will go.
17 min
8
US tariff posturing is dangerous game of chicken
Donald Trump’s hastily enacted and retracted trade wars are ratcheting up global tensions as Europe, China and Latin American countries prepare to retaliate. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the motivation for trade wars and why there will be no winners.
26 min
9
DeepSeek scrambles AI development reasoning
Breakthrough cost-efficiency claims from the made-in-China model stunned investors expecting a spending splurge, eroding $600 bln of chipmaker Nvidia’s value. In this week’s Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate what the advance means for machine-learning hype.
23 min
10
Trump’s day-one flurry buries plenty
The new US president began his term with a rush of orders signaling an immigration crackdown, shifting energy policy and more. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how much will stick and why the trade barriers at the heart of his agenda are missing.
24 min
11
Bond chaos induces headaches worldwide
Rising yields on long-term US debt, now around 5% despite the Fed’s cuts, are having ripple effects across the globe. Leaders in Britain and beyond may be forced to rethink their policies. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain the potential pain in store.
20 min
12
Altered states will rule in 2025
From President-elect Donald Trump’s whims to volatile capital markets, uncertainty is rising worldwide. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists share predictions for how robotic cars, obesity drug-fueled M&A or a smartphone backlash will take root amid the upheaval.
25 min
13
Hot topics of 2024 will smoulder into new year
Inflation in the United States, a struggling Chinese economy and Boeing’s existential challenges were among the stories that dominated this year. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why these issues – among others – will keep cropping up in 2025.
27 min
14
French political stalemate threatens its economy
The country is without a prime minister after Michel Barnier lost a no-confidence vote. That will make it hard to cut the large budget deficit. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why a long crisis would deter foreign investors and damage France’s growth.
20 min
15
Drugmakers brace for US political side effects
Donald Trump’s health agency nominee, Robert Kennedy, brings dangerous views on vaccines as well as skepticism about sky-high medicine prices. In this week’s Viewsroom, Breakingviews columnists discuss the impact on giants like Novo Nordisk and how other countries might react.
17 min
16
Gautam Adani is promise and peril of Indian growth
With $31 bln of debt, deep links to the banking system and a star role in India’s energy transition, the tycoon’s empire is a crucial part of the fifth-largest economy. In this week’s Viewsroom, Breakingviews columnists discuss how US bribery charges will test those dependencies.
20 min
17
Gulf states wedge AI efforts between superpowers
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are building home-grown silicon smarts and forging links with the likes of Microsoft. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how the region is muscling its way into a technology arms race between China and the US.
21 min
18
Trump trades will run into Trump reality
The president-elect’s victory sparked wild euphoria in markets. Now comes the realization that tariffs and immigration crackdowns threaten major costs, including the return of inflation. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the globe-spanning concerns.
21 min
19
Trump 2.0: taxes, tensions, tariffs, turbulence
In a decisive comeback victory for his third White House run, Donald Trump notched gains across a wide set of voters and issues. In this week’s Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the chaotic consequences now looming worldwide.
21 min
20
Robust banks impair pleas for lighter regulation
Lenders on both sides of the Atlantic are doing relatively well, despite concerns over the effect of shifting rates. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate what is driving growth, and why CEOs are simultaneously bemoaning increased scrutiny from watchdogs.
23 min
21
UK budget is a tightrope walk over a black hole
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is due to set out tax and spending pledges while hemmed in by campaign promises and economic reality - even if debt rules are tweaked. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the tall task of selling it to the public and markets.
14 min
22
Return-to-office gets leg up on work-from-home
A stern back-to-the-desks missive from tech giant Amazon.com represents a new salvo in the battle over post-pandemic norms. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the weakening position for employees as hiring slows, and the possible unintended consequences.
16 min
23
China’s stock market bazooka is yet to fire
The People’s Republic recently unveiled a raft of measures to solve a housing bust and support the market, producing a pop of post-vacation enthusiasm. That’s now waning as investors await a bigger move. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss what comes next.
20 min
24
Middle East turmoil edges closer to global economy
Military escalation between Iran and Israel may at some point affect the price of oil. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how the conflict may prompt a fresh inflationary headache for central banks – and how Saudi Arabia might offset that risk.
18 min
25
AI is a black hole of bits, chips and power
OpenAI’s ChatGPT kicked off a race to develop ever-more-sophisticated artificial intelligence. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingvews columnists dissect the vast amount of data-crunching bots and power required to feed it, investments that could cost trillions of dollars.
18 min