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WTO lets China impose tariffs on the US

Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia and the USA.

The World Trade Organisation has authorised China to impose retaliatory duties on US imports to a value of more than 600 million dollars per year. Beijing had challenged American tariffs levied on Chinese exports ranging from solar panels to steel wire - goods made by companies that Washington insists are effectively enjoying state subsidies. David Firestein - President of the George HW Bush Foundation for US-China Relations - explained the background.

Next we head to Italy - where a row has broken out between the government and some of the country's biggest companies. It's because of President Putin speaking to Italian business leaders on Wednesday morning - to the irritation of the government in Rome, which is sensitive to its international position amid growing tension over Ukraine.

Then we take a look at student debt which is a massive burden for millions of Americans - making those college years look a little less rosy in the rear-view mirror. 80 members of the US Senate and House of Representatives have called on President Biden to make good on his campaign promises to forgive student debt - starting right off the bat with an immediate 50k reduction. Former students shared their experiences and we also heard from Laura Beamer at the Jain Family Institute.

Lastly, would it surprise you to discover that many K-Pop stars - enjoying huge success in the South Korean music scene - commission some of their most successful tracks from ... Sweden? Fergus Nicholls spoke to one of Stockholm's most successful writers, Moa Carlebecker - better known by her stage name, Cazzi Opeia.

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50 minutes

Last on

Thu 27 Jan 2022 01:06GMT

Broadcast

  • Thu 27 Jan 2022 01:06GMT

Podcast