Over the past three decades, China has built itself into a manufacturing powerhouse. The plan was simple: use exports as a way to avoid becoming too dependent on the west. But with US President Donald Trump imposing 145 per cent tariffs on the country, this strategy now hangs in the balance. The FT’s Beijing bureau chief Joe Leahy explains how Beijing built its export machine and whether its plan to sell the world cheap goods could go wrong. Clip from European Commission. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Will China’s manufacturing juggernaut run out of road? How China’s record trade surplus helped spark Trump’s tariff war China says ‘sky won’t fall’ as exports surge ahead of Donald Trump’s tariffs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Joe Leahy on X (@leahyjoseph). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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18:38
Apple navigates Trump’s tariffs
US President Donald Trump’s announcement of “reciprocal” tariffs caused havoc in the markets, notably hitting Big Tech stocks such as Apple. The company lost more than $300bn in market value the next day, and its path forward is complicated. The FT’s San Francisco correspondent Michael Acton explains why the iPhone maker is vulnerable, and what options it has to minimise the damage.Clips from PBSNewshour, C-SPAN- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Apple loses more than $300bn in market value from Trump tariff hitApple and other US tech groups hit as Donald Trump targets suppliersFraying transatlantic ties will cost companies dearlyAnd for further listening: Why Apple can’t leave China- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Michael Acton on X (@MActon93). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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18:12
Why Islamic banking is taking off
A huge chunk of any typical bank’s profits comes from charging interest. But what happens when you can’t do that? This week, we’re traveling to Pakistan with the FT’s Humza Jilani, where the country has decided to make its entire banking sector align with Islamic law, which forbids charging interest. We’ll discuss how Islamic banks function and if this banking model can become Pakistan’s dominant system. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Meezan Bank’s soaring shares herald rise of Islamic finance in PakistanClerics’ rule change threatens to throw Islamic debt market into turmoilWorld Bank approves 10-year $20bn Pakistan lending package- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Humza Jilani (@humza_jilani) and Saffeya Ahmed on X (@saffeya-ahmed), or follow Saffeya on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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20:00
Retail’s last barbarian takes on Walgreens Boots
Years ago, an ailing company like Walgreens Boots Alliance may have seemed like a prime acquisition target for deal-hungry private equity firms. But many have backed away from retail recently, leaving an opening for groups like Sycamore Partners who are willing to buck the trend. Sycamore announced this month that it would take the global pharmacy business private in a $23.7bn debt and equity deal. The FT’s Due Diligence reporter, Amelia Pollard, explains the well-worn playbook that Sycamore has used on past retail companies, and whether it will work this time with a chain that has its own share of unique problems. Clips from Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Retail’s last barbarian: the private equity group about to play hardball with BootsWhat went wrong after Walgreens bought Boots? Walgreens bondholders could be winners from its debt-laden buyout- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Amelia Pollard (@ameliajpollard) on X or (@pollard.bsky.social) on Bluesky. Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. For more from Amelia and her team, sign up for the Due Diligence newsletter. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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19:38
How high gold prices are fueling a chocolate shortage
The surging price of gold is leading to some unexpected outcomes. The FT’s Aanu Adeoye traveled to Ghana to see how this is playing out among two of the country’s top commodities: gold and cocoa. Aanu and the FT’s Susannah Savage explain how the two commodities are linked and how it is impacting the people who live in the country. Clips from NBC, ABC, CBS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:How illegal gold mining is fuelling a chocolate shortageFood groups develop a taste for cocoa alternativesFrom London to New York via Switzerland: the booming trade in gold bars- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Aanu Adeoye (@aanuadeoye) and Susannah Savage (@SavageSusannah) on X. Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From hostile takeovers to C-suite intrigue, Behind the Money takes you inside the business and financial stories of the moment with reporting from Financial Times journalists around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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