World Business Report

This precious metals rally has been tarnished after a sudden slide in prices. So what does this tell us about metals like gold, known to be the ultimate safe haven. Can we still call it a refuge when things get rocky?Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: David Cann Editor: Justin Bones

US President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to lead the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, when the four-year-term of current chairman Jerome Powell's ends in May. Rahul Tandon hears from people who worked closely with Warsh. Also, the BBC visits Maracaibo, once the heart of Venezuela's booming oil industry. And silver and gold prices plummet after their recent rise. (Photo: Kevin Warsh, speaking during the Sohn Investment Conference in New York City, U.S., May 8, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid/File Photo)

The former Federal Reserve governor has deep ties to Wall Street, was previously interviewed for the job in 2017, and has been an outspoken critic of America's central bank. We’ll ask how financial markets have responded to the news. Also, Venezuelan MPs have approved a bill to open up its oil sector to private firms. And, Panama's Supreme Court has voided a Hong-Kong based company's canal port contracts.

The Japanese auto giant Toyota says global sales set a new record last year, despite trade tensions. What did Toyota do differently to others? This week, gold has again hit another record high – even though the price has dipped slightly today. Our presenter Rahul Tandon hears from one country that’s benefiting from the gold boom. Also, strong iPhone demand boosts Apple's quarterly revenue and profit, as Microsoft faces pressure over spending on data centres.(Photo: Members of the media inspect a Toyota Yaris car displayed during a media preview at the 46th Bangkok International Motor Show 2025 automobile showcase in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, 24 March 2025. Credit: by RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The dollar is normally seen as the ultimate safe haven, it's the currency most other currencies benchmark themselves against – so why is it taking a downward spiral? British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been in Beijing meeting President Xi and says steps have been taken to improve trade with China. And Germany is experiencing a potato glut, we find out why.

US technology giant Amazon has confirmed it will cut 16,000 jobs around the world. Andrew Peach hears from former Amazon workers and AI experts. Also, why the German authorities have searched Deutsche Bank buildings in Berlin and Frankfurt.And how Harry Styles will overtake Taylor Swift by adding more London gigs this summer.(PHOTO: An Amazon employee delivers packages in downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., January 26, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

The Swiss franc soars to its highest level against the dollar in more than a decade as investors flee the dollar in search of a safe haven. We look at what that means for Swiss exporters and the central bank.Plus, why have several big global companies announced job cuts, even though they appear to be doing well financially?And the boss of Cisco warns of "carnage" if an AI-driven bubble on stock markets bursts.

A free trade agreement dubbed the mother of all trade deals has finally been announced between the European Union and India after two decades of negotiations. What do businesses make of it?Across the globe then to hear why Canadians are boycotting ski resorts in America. In the US, a landmark social media addiction case has tech giants settling before reaching court. And country music is popular (according the Gen-Z). [Photo:President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa shake hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India. Credit: RAJAT GUPTA/EPA/Shutterstock]

The European Union and India have announced a landmark trade deal as both sides aim to deepen ties amid tensions with the US. It will allow free trade of goods between the bloc of 27 European states and the world's most populous country, which together make up nearly 25% of global gross domestic product and a market of two billion people.Meanwhile, Donald Trump threatens South Korea with more tariffs, and a big shift in the global sportswear business as France’s billionaire Pinault family sells a big chunk of its Puma holding to China’s Anta Sports.

The Trump administration ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to step up the removal of undocumented migrants more than six weeks ago, triggering large scale protests across the US. Rahul Tandon speaks to business owners who say staff are too frightened to come into work.In France, the government moves a step closer to banning social media for children under 15s.And as a deadly winter storm batters the US and Canada, a farmer explains how he keeps his animals safe in extreme conditions.[Photo: Protests in Minneapolis. Credit:CRAIG LASSIG/EPA/Shutterstock]

Ten European countries bordering or close to the North Sea, including Germany, France, the UK and Norway, have pledged $11.3 billion to expand offshore wind capacity by 2030. They describe it as a historic deal that will wean Europe off dependency on Russian energy.Plus, France starts debating a ban on social media for under-15s in the wake of a similar move in Australia.And India and the EU are poised to conclude a trade deal.

Andrew Peach speaks to the man in charge of keeping Ukraine's largest private energy company going in the face of relentless Russian drone attacks on the country's networks. And we look at how the US administration's decision to end protected visa status for hundreds of thousands of Haitians is hitting the retirement home industry in Florida. Also, we'll be finding out how Robbie Williams has become bigger than the Beatles - by one measure at least.

The social media giant has finalised a deal to allow it to continue to operate in the United States where its famous algorithm will be retrained exclusively on American user-data.For the past year TikTok's been at the heart of a dispute between its Chinese owner Bytedance and the US government over data privacy. Plus we'll give you a rare glimpse into life on board one of the ships in Russia's shadow fleet.

Global economic tensions over Greenland may be fading, but the uncertainty is prompting questions about whether some of America’s trade partners should look to diversify into new markets. Also, the film Sinners sets a new Oscars record with sixteen nominations, but do more nominations always translate into higher box office revenue? And demand soars for the most talked about item at Davos - President Macron’s blue sunglasses.(Photo: A 3D printed miniature of U.S. President Donald Trump and Greenland flag taken January 9, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

Blue Origin, the company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, says it will launch a new satellite-based communications network called TeraWave. We find out if it could eventually rival Elon Musk's Starlink, which currently dominates the satellite internet market. Plus, the conversation in Davos switches to the economic future of Venezuela. And Spanish football giants Real Madrid are the richest football club in the world, again.

President Trump makes a u-turn on tariffs after reaching a framework for a future deal over Greenland. Leanna Byrne asks - what do we know about this deal?We also follow the US Supreme Court hearing involving Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, who denies allegations of misrepresenting her home ownership status. And the EU-Mercosur trade deal faces a legal challenge.(Photo: US President Donald Trump speaking at the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026. Credit: Photo by World Economic Forum/PA Wire)

The settlement comes just days before the landmark case was due to go to trial in LA

The World Economic Forum at the Swiss resort of Davos has been dominated by President Trump's ambition to take control of Greenland, and his threat to impose tariffs on European countries that resist. EU leaders could be hitting back with tariffs of their own. So, what are the market reactions in the US and in Europe? Also, it was tariffs on allies, tariffs on rivals, tariffs that sent shockwaves through the global economy. One industry that felt the impact is cars. We will hear businesses in South Africa, the US, and Canada. (Photo: US President Donald Trump holds a press briefing with reporters at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2025. Credit: Photo by JIM LO SCALZO/EPA/Shutterstock).

President Trump insists there’s ‘no going back’ on taking control of the island

The US President remains committed to taking control of the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, leading to strong push back from European leaders. We get reaction from the Duncan Edwards, CEO of the BritishAmerican Business trade body and Matthew Bartlett, Republican strategist and who worked in the State Department during the first Trump administration. Plus, we hear from American farmers in Texas, Minnesota and New York about how a year of tariffs has affected their businesses and livelihoods.(Photo: A 3D-printed miniature model of U.S. President Donald Trump, and the EU and Greenland flags appear in this illustration taken January 17, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)