In short
Morning business news. Key items include a US-Japan trade deal imposing 15% tariffs on goods imported into America from Japan (lower than Trump’s threatened 25%, higher than the prior 10% negotiated rate). Aluminium and steel are excluded. Boeing is mentioned as facing “latest challenges,” but details aren’t provided in the excerpt. Sizewell is referenced as “a new plant,” but no specifics appear.
Guest
Helen Thomas, Chief Executive of Blonde Money. Background: runs Blonde Money (personal finance/business).
Key claims
the tariff deal is partly geopolitical—Japan is pressured to stay within the US umbrella; Prime Minister Abe is politically beleaguered after losing an upper house majority.
Notable examples
the tariff rate comparisons (25%/15%/10%) and the election loss.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOUS-Japan Trade Deal Overview
0:00 to 1:42
Learn about the new trade deal between the US and Japan and its implications.
“Let's bring you up to date now with the rest of the business news this morning on this Wednesday.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Let's bring you up to date now with the rest of the business news this morning on this Wednesday. And the US has agreed a trade deal with Japan that will impose 15 % tariffs on goods imported into America from the world's fourth largest economy. The 15 % levy is lower than the 25 % President Donald Trump had threatened in a letter earlier this month. But it is higher than the 10 % rate that had been in force while the country's negotiated. Let's speak to Helen Thomas, Chief Executive of Blonde Money, who joins us now. Helen, very good morning to you. A deal at least has been done. Absolutely. And I would imagine the Japanese Prime Minister is pleased about that because he is rather beleaguered.
0:40There was an upper house election at the weekend where his coalition government lost their majority. So he is really in trouble, may even be resigning, according to recent media reports. So, look, I'm sure he'll be delighted to have got this deal done. Yeah, indeed. And let's look at a bit of the details of the deal because, as we say, we're getting used to these tariffs now, but 15 % is still quite high, isn't it, between two actually rather large trading partners and allies, it must be said. Well, it is. I'm glad you've used that word, allies, because this is what it's all wrapped up with, of course.
1:14This is not just a pure economic decision. This is about do you want to be within the umbrella of the US? and, you know, US and Japan have had quite good relationship over the years. So I think what you're seeing here is, yes, it's lower than was threatened, but it's not at the lowest level, which sort of says, look, we're embracing you, but you could go a bit further. And if you do, well, you know what, if you bow to the US, we will give you a better deal. I mean, I think it's Donald Trump trying to retain some of that advantage over them. What's also interesting is that aluminium and steel is not included in this deal.
1:51defense commitments at two and it is a reminder that evening buyer's remorse buy a new car i'll be moving in let's get started uh sorry i think there's been a mistake i bought it from carvana you what yeah great price i even have seven days to love it or return it so there's no no no buyer's remorse more like buyer's rejoice i guess i'll let myself out congratulations I mean it. Buyers rejoice. Buy your car today on Carvana. Limitations and exclusions may apply. See our seven-day return policy at Carvana.com.
From the publisher
This episode looks at two developments in the business world. We speak to a representative from Centrica about plans for a new nuclear plant at Sizewell and what it means for the UK's energy future. We also hear from an airline executive about Boeing's current challenges following the Air India crash and what it means for safety, trust and the wider aviation industry.
