Featuring some of our favorite conversations of the week from our daily radio show "Bloomberg Businessweek Daily."Hosted by Carol Massar and Tim StenovecHear the show live at 2PM ET on WBBR 1130 AM New York, Bloomberg 92.9 FM Boston, WDCH 99.1 FM in Washington D.C. Metro, Sirius/XM channel 121, on the Bloomberg Business App, Radio.com, the iHeartRadio app and at Bloomberg.com/audio.You can also watch Bloomberg Businessweek on YouTube - just search for Bloomberg Global News.Like us at Bloomberg Radio on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @carolmassar @timsteno and @BWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
1:17:15
Life in Israel and Iran as Threat of War Escalates
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.US President Donald Trump signaled he would give diplomacy a chance before deciding whether to strike Iran, dialing back on recent comments that suggested military action could be imminent.“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Trump said in a dictated message, according to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Iran maintained Friday it won’t negotiate with the US while an Israeli assault continues. The only way to end the imposed war is to “unconditionally stop” the enemy’s aggression, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday in a post on X.Oil prices fell following a report from Reuters that Iran is ready to discuss limitations on nuclear enrichment, but will not consider stopping entirely. That puts the country’s leadership at odds with Trump, who has called for zero enrichment.Israel launched its surprise attack on Iran a week ago, saying the threat of its sworn enemy acquiring nuclear weapons had to be neutralized. While that goal hasn’t been fully met, the Islamic Republic’s military capabilities have been degraded and a number of its top generals and atomic scientists have been killed. Iran has struck back at Israel with waves of ballistic missiles and drones, and there have been heavy casualties on both sides.Trump, who is scheduled to attend a national security meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, has publicly mused for days about the US joining the fray. His latest stance signals a step back after a run of tough rhetoric, including demands for Tehran residents to relocate and threats toward Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his early departure from this week’s Group of Seven summit in Canada to return to Washington.Today's show features: Dan Williams, Reporter for Bloomberg News Based in Jerusalem, on life in Israel given the Israel/Iran War Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute on life in Iran John Erath, Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation on Iran's nuclear ambitions and Peter Atwater, President of Financial Insyghts on the overall US macro environment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged and continued to pencil in two rate cuts in 2025, saying uncertainty over the economic outlook was still high but had diminished. The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to hold the benchmark federal funds rate in a range of 4.25%-4.5%, as they have at each of their meetings this year.Officials also downgraded their estimates for economic growth this year while lifting their forecasts for unemployment and inflation.Speaking to reporters following the decision, Chair Jerome Powell repeated his view that the central bank was “well positioned to wait to learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.”While the median expectation for two rate cuts in 2025 didn’t change, a number of officials lowered their projections. Seven officials now foresee no rate cuts this year, compared with four in March. Two others pointed to one cut this yearToday's show features: Ross Mayfield, Investment Strategist at Baird Private Wealth Management & Ira Jersey Bloomberg Intelligence Chief US Interest Rates Strategist on FOMC Reaction Heather Williams, Director of Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow for Defense and Security at Center for Strategic and International Studies Michael Lohan, head of IDA Ireland on trade, tariffs and EU’s view of Trump. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
28:10
FOMC Preview with Frank Sorrentino
With Federal Reserve officials signaling an extended hold on interest rates, investors and economists will look to Chair Jerome Powell this week for clues on what might eventually prompt the central bank to make a move, and when.A fourth straight meeting without a cut could provoke another tirade from President Donald Trump. But policymakers have been clear: Before they can make a move they need the White House to resolve the big question marks around tariffs, immigration and taxes. Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear sites have also introduced another element of uncertainty for the global economy.Frank Sorrentino, Founder and CEO of ConnectOne Bankcorp previews what the Fed may do at the next FOMC meeting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
11:30
Threat of War Escalates
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.President Donald Trump met with his national security team in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the escalating Middle East conflict, according to people familiar with the matter, fueling fresh speculation that the US is on the verge of joining Israel’s attack on Iran.The meeting lasted over an hour and the White House provided no immediate statement afterward. Before gathering his advisers in the Situation Room, Trump posted a demand for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and warned of a possible strike against the country’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump posted on social media.Israel also sought to ratchet up pressure on Iran, signaling it will intensify a campaign of air strikes that have targeted the country’s nuclear facilities as well as military leaders and infrastructure. US weapons are seen as key to achieving a more complete destruction of the Islamic Republic’s atomic program than anything Israel can do alone. The escalating war began with an Israeli attack late last week and has seen the sworn enemies trade missile salvos for five days. Trump departed early from the Group of Seven leaders meeting in Canada to deal with the crisis. Today's show features: Bloomberg News Pentagon and National Security Reporter Tony Capaccio Dana Telsey, Founder, CEO and Chief Research Officer of Telsey Advisory Group Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of global shipping companies Seanergy Maritime and United Maritime Travis McCready, JLL’s Head of Industries, Leasing Advisor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec bring you reporting from the magazine that helps global leaders stay ahead, plus insight on the people, companies and trends shaping today's complex economy. Watch us LIVE on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.
Ireland