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
26
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
27
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
28
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
29
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
30
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
31
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
32
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
33
Bank mega-M&A gets tantalisingly close in Europe
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.
22 min
34
Telegram and X expose tech platforms’ new reality
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.
18 min
35
Seven & i deal will test Japan’s financial renewal
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.
19 min
36
Carmakers strain to navigate the next swerves
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.
18 min
37
China’s leaders pitch their tent in a rainstorm
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.
18 min
38
Trump 2.0 might be the same, but much more
After an earth-shaking few weeks in US politics, the Republican presidential candidate’s odds of returning to the White House look higher. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss what a second term might look like, and why Trump might be empowered this time.
23 min
39
Booze-free beverages are no small beer
Carlsberg’s $4 bln deal to buy soft-drinks maker Britvic is just the latest foray by a big brewer into serving the alcohol-averse. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss whether it’s a seismic tobacco-like shift or a frothy attempt to fizz up profit margins.
17 min
40
UK elections herald return to tarnished stability
Polls suggest voters will hand Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party a historic defeat. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how a new government might pick up the pieces amid the legacy of a now-immutable Brexit and political turmoil engulfing global peers.
22 min
41
France raises ghosts of last euro zone crisis
French voters will go to the polls this weekend for the first round of the parliamentary elections. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why the country’s rising bond yields and the risks of contagion will be uncomfortably familiar for investors.
13 min
42
European bosses can only envy Elon Musk
The Tesla chief’s $56 bln pay package is particularly vertiginous, but even less-blessed US CEOs do far better than their European peers. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how the pay gap shapes executive habits across the Atlantic.
17 min
43
Europe’s election eruption threatens paralysis
Centrist and green parties saw big losses in a vote to elect the European Union’s parliament, sparking a shock snap election in France. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how ensuing instability could slow the continent’s response to urgent global issues.
23 min
44
India’s resilient democracy comes with a cost
Narendra Modi will have to rely on a coalition government after a shock upset in the national elections. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why politicians may dig deeper to support the poor and how power sharing may create challenges for big business.
19 min
45
Next UK leader will bang head against fiscal roof
Britain’s election in July is likely to hand power to the opposition Labour Party. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how constrained finances could mean higher taxes. For business leaders, the promise of more stability may be as good as it gets.
17 min
46
Big Macs are pricing out American shoppers
The driving force of the world’s largest economy, US consumers, may be buckling under higher costs on everything from lattes to burgers. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate whether Main Street stalwarts like Starbucks or McDonald’s face a reckoning.
18 min
47
The dollar and the yuan are polar opposites
The strong greenback and questions over a Chinese devaluation reflect the contrasting outlooks for the two economies. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate why Beijing is unlikely to push down its currency and why the dollar will remain elevated.
14 min
48
HSBC’s big pair of shoes will be hard to fill
The surprise departure of boss Noel Quinn, who dramatically reshaped the firm, puts the globe-straddling bank on the spot: appoint a steward of its strategy from within, or a new thinker from outside? In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the $170 bln choice.
21 min
49
Clash of the mining titans will get more bruising
Australian giant BHP’s $39 bln swing for Anglo American is a contentious, complex land grab for the metals key to a renewable future. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the political and financial hurdles, and why this M&A contest has a way to run.
21 min
50
US economy is a victim of its own success
The United States emerged as the world’s growth engine at the IMF summit last week. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate whether this debt-fuelled strength means that interest rates will stay high for longer and how that could raise the risk of a recession.
16 min