Podcasts

Germany’s fiscal pivot gives Europe rare hope

13 Mar 2025

The nation known for anti-deficit orthodoxy faces an economic slowdown and US antagonism. Likely Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s response: boost spending by more than 500 bln euros. In this week’s Viewsroom podcast Breakingviews columnists discuss the jolt to the whole continent.

The debit and credit of the private lending boom

11 Mar 2025

Loans supplied by funds have swelled to some $2 trln, disrupting regular banks. In this episode of The Big View podcast, Huw van Steenis of Oliver Wyman explores the drivers of the industry’s rapid growth, how much bigger it could get, and what risks it might be storing up.

China’s AI catch-up begins to look inevitable

6 Mar 2025

Beijing’s leap in developing silicon smarts, embodied in DeepSeek’s shockingly cheap model, will challenge US attempts to restrict cutting-edge technology. In this week’s Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate whether it will destabilize the AI market.

How to sort winners from losers in AI’s civil war

4 Mar 2025

Some advocates believe artificial intelligence is poised to surpass human capabilities. Others see it more as a powerful problem-solving tool. In this episode of The Big View podcast, Felix Martin explores the implications of the diverging views for investors and economists.

Unpredictable White House vexes CEOs everywhere

27 Feb 2025

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.

How to navigate Trump’s trade wars

25 Feb 2025

The US president has slapped tariffs on Mexico, Canada, steel, aluminium, and is threatening more. Few have come into force, though. In this episode of The Big View podcast, Sam Lowe of Flint Global explains the different types of levies, and what they mean for global trade.

German elections chart course for a lonely Europe

20 Feb 2025

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.

Japan’s M&A wave is just getting started

13 Feb 2025

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.

The long haul to reviving Britain’s economy

11 Feb 2025

Productivity has slowed, real wages are stagnant, and investment has dried up. The new UK government also faces high debt and rising interest rates. In this episode of The Big View podcast, newly appointed minister Torsten Bell makes the case for radical but incremental change.

US tariff posturing is dangerous game of chicken

6 Feb 2025

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.