FT News Briefing

The UK and France have pledged for the first time to co-ordinate the use of their nuclear weapons, the copper markets are reeling from US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 50 per cent tariffs on the metal, and Canada has a plan to offset American energy levies by exporting natural gas to the rest of the world. Plus, Nvidia has hit a record market capitalisation at $4tn.Mentioned in this podcast:UK and France vow to co-ordinate nuclear deterrence for first timeCanada’s bid to become an energy superpower Global copper market weighs impact of Donald Trump tariff threatNvidia becomes first company to reach $4tn in market valueSend your US politics questions to marc.filippino@ft.com Subscribe to the Swamp Notes podcastToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Katya Kumcova, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

EU negotiators are closing in on a trade deal with Donald Trump that would cement higher tariffs than those granted to the UK, and Boston Consulting Group’s chief executive said the group’s involvement with a postwar plan for Gaza had been “reputationally very damaging”. Plus, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen dismissed the no-confidence motion against her in a speech. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump deal to leave EU facing higher tariffs than UKBCG modelled plan to ‘relocate’ Palestinians from GazaBCG chief admits Gaza work was ‘reputationally very damaging’Von der Leyen bats away no-confidence vote but critics land punches Credit: European CommissionToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Katya Kumkova, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

US President Donald Trump extended tariff deadlines, and Liechtenstein’s trust industry is in a crisis spurred by American sanctions against Russia. Plus, Shein filed for an initial public offering in Hong Kong, and Elon Musk is trying to save Tesla from Trump. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump renews threat to hit trading partners with steep tariffsLiechtenstein hit by Russia-linked ‘zombie trust’ crisisShein files for Hong Kong IPO to pressure UK to save London listing‘Elon has finally woken up’: Musk battles to save Tesla from TrumpToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington DC today to discuss a Gaza ceasefire proposal with US President Donald Trump, and US stocks are booming again despite uncertainty about the wider economy. Plus, Hong Kong’s stock exchange is attracting lots of companies, and venture capital is putting its own tech-focused spin on a private equity business model. Mentioned in this podcast:Israel to join ceasefire talks despite ‘unacceptable’ response from HamasNetanyahu and Trump to discuss new Gaza deal at White HouseAre we rallying, or overcorrecting?Hong Kong listings pipeline hits record high as equity market boomsTech venture firms deploy private equity ‘roll-up’ strategyToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Ethan Plotkin, Katya Kumkova, and Jess Smith. Additional help from Alex Higgins and Peter Barber. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Donald Trump has secured passage of his flagship tax and spending legislation and the US jobs market exceeded expectations last month. Plus, the future of the UK’s National Health Service could be in jeopardy, and Hong Kong residents cancel trips to Japan over a comic book’s earthquake prophecy. Mentioned in this podcast:What is in Donald Trump’s giant tax-cutting billUS economy surpasses expectations to add 147,000 jobs in JuneThe future of the NHS 10-year plan NHSHongkongers scrap Japan trips over comic book’s earthquake prophecyToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Katya Kumkova. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

European CEOs are lobbying against AI regulations, and trade officials are rushing to make deals before US President Donald Trump’s tariffs take effect again. Plus, the Pentagon suddenly stalled some weapon shipments to Ukraine, and the UK’s watered-down welfare reform bill could mean higher taxes.  Mentioned in this podcast:European CEOs urge Brussels to halt landmark AI ActUS narrows trade focus to secure deals before Donald Trump’s tariff deadlineUkraine summons top US diplomat after Washington halts some arms suppliesWhich UK taxes are expected to rise in the autumn Budget?Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Kasia Broussalian. Additional help from Blake Maples and Michael Lello. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The UK government passed its welfare reform bill after making concessions, and Hong Kong’s stocks are beating out mainland China’s. Plus, Eurozone inflation rises to 2 per cent, and Europe turns to France to process rare earths.Mentioned in this podcast:Starmer guts UK welfare reforms to avoid Commons defeatHong Kong’s bull market leaves China behind Eurozone inflation rises to ECB’s 2% targetEuropean companies look to France for domestic rare earths sector Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, and Fiona Symon. Additional help from Kelly Garry and Michael Lello. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Two of the biggest oil companies in the Middle East scale down their acquisition sprees, and Wall Street’s comeback has dramatically narrowed the gap with European stocks. Plus, the US is lifting sanctions on Syria, and Klarna makes some changes to its business model.Mentioned in this podcast:Gulf oil companies slow $60bn acquisition spree as crude prices fall US dollar suffers worst start to year since 1973 US stock market comeback tests investor faith in rotation to EuropeDonald Trump lifts most US sanctions on SyriaKlarna accelerates shift to digital bank ahead of second IPO attemptToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, and Ethan Plotkin. Additional help from Blake Maples, and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The Trump administration is paving the way for more US bank mergers, and China’s online retail giants are losing some key customers. Plus, the race to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is heating up, and the UK is trying to make financial advice more accessible. Mentioned in this podcast:Deal hunger stirs among US banksUS shoppers ditch Shein and Temu as Trump closes tax loopholeWhite House says decision on nominating next Fed chair not ‘imminent’UK launches biggest financial advice shake-up in more than a decadeToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Alexander Higgins and Peter Barber. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com