FT News Briefing

As Congress works through President Donald Trump’s recent budget, one of the likeliest cuts on the chopping block is Medicaid. The government health insurance programme is used by one in five Americans, including many voters who make up Trump’s Maga base. So could cuts to Medicaid actually threaten Trump’s hold on Republicans? Washington bureau chief James Politi and US politics and society correspondent Guy Chazan are on to discuss if a showdown is coming between the party’s fiscal hawks and those who’d like to preserve social welfare programmes. Mentioned in this podcast:The big government spending Maga voters can’t live withoutUS House passes budget resolution to cut taxes and spending by trillionsSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Katya Kumkova. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

US President Donald Trump’s auto tariffs hit carmaker shares and Chinese financial authorities have told some companies they can start launching mainland initial public offerings. Plus, protesters in Turkey are worried about the future of their democracy. Mentioned in this podcast:China opens path to revival in A-share listingsDonald Trump’s tariffs throw car industry into turmoilTurkish protesters rise up against Recep Tayyip ErdoğanThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Katie McMurran, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The US will impose tariffs of 25 per cent on imports of foreign-made autos and Piyush Gupta will step down after 16 years as chief executive at Singapore’s DBS bank. UK inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.8 per cent in February, and Rolls-Royce has seen its share price skyrocket since 2023, in large part due to chief executive Tufan Erginbilgiç. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump to impose 25% tariff on US auto importsDBS and Jack Ma: how a meeting helped change the history of Singapore’s biggest bankTurning round Rolls-Royce: ‘If you don’t score quickly, you lose people’UK inflation slows more than expected to 2.8% The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Beijing has introduced environmental restrictions that would prevent Chinese companies from buying Nvidia’s bestselling processors, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves will update the country on Wednesday on the latest economic growth forecasts, and Shell has said it will cut costs and spending, especially in clean energy. Plus, individual investors have pumped almost $70bn into US stocks this year even as professional money managers are slashing their exposure.Mentioned in this podcast:Nvidia’s China sales face looming threat from Beijing environmental curbsWhat will be in Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement?Shell slashes costs in ‘relentless’ drive to close valuation gap with US rivalsRetail traders plough $67bn into US stocks while investment giants fleeThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Sources tell the FT that China is considering including services in a multibillion-dollar subsidy programme to stimulate consumption, software giant SAP has become Europe’s most valuable company, and BYD’s annual sales have topped $100bn for the first time. Plus, Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to cement its dominance this year, but his ties to US President Donald Trump are shifting from an asset to a liability.Mentioned in this podcast:China explores services subsidy to boost weak domestic demandSAP leapfrogs Novo Nordisk to become Europe’s most valuable companyBYD’s annual sales top $100bn for first time Starlink’s rapid global rollout complicated by Elon Musk’s ties to Donald TrumpThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

As US President Donald Trump dismantles agencies and challenges institutions across the federal government, Democrats still can’t decide how to oppose him. The FT’s global business columnist Rana Foroohar and Washington reporter Steff Chavez join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to discuss why Democrats’ inability to pick a strategy can prove costly.  Mentioned in this podcast:The Democrats must make a choiceTop Senate Democrat to back Republican bill to avert government shutdownSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSign up for the FT’s White House Watch newsletter Swamp Notes is produced by Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson and Ethan Plotkin. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. CREDIT: YouTube/Forbes Breaking News, YouTube/NBC NewsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

European countries are considering how to take on greater responsibilities for the continent’s defence, the UK and the US are negotiating a trade deal to avoid tariffs, and has the Federal Reserve stopped leading the way on global monetary policy? Mentioned in this podcast:European military powers work on 5-10 year plan to replace US in NatoUK races to avoid worst of Trump tariffs with talks on tech taxWhat’s at stake in the US-UK trade talks?Newsletter: Chris Giles on Central BanksThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The Federal Reserve is still in wait-and-see mode, a handful of technology start-ups are expected to go public next month, and Turkish police have detained the main political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Plus, the campaign for International Olympic Committee president has shone a harsh light on the organization’s business model. Mentioned in this podcast:Federal Reserve cuts US growth forecast as Trump’s policies weigh on outlookTech groups boost IPO revival hopes despite market tumultTurkish police detain Erdoğan’s main political rivalDoes the Olympic business model still work? The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com