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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UniCredit, the $68 bln Italian lender, grabbed a 9% stake in Germany’s $16 bln Commerzbank. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists argue that a full merger makes financial sense, but potentially not for unions or the under-fire government in Berlin.

The arrest of Pavel Durov, founder of the controversial messaging app, and the ban of X in Brazil shows state officials are not afraid to intervene in Big Tech. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate what it means and how CEOs should manage the threat.

Couche-Tard’s takeover interest in the 7-Eleven owner is a pivotal moment for the country’s efficiency drive. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why Tokyo ought to wait to see how the target reacts before opining, and how a deal could easily turn hostile.

After responding to the unexpected success of $720 bln Tesla, older manufacturers now face rising China exports amid slower EV growth. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how GM, VW and others – including governments – are handling the nascent trade war.

The five-yearly Communist Party meeting known as the Third Plenum is historically tied with economic policy shifts. Slowing growth and rising trade tensions make the timing apt. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss what the event means for China’s future.