Fresh challenge for US Treasuries dominance
4/17/202612 min
President Donald Trump said Lebanon and Israel had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, the US Treasury’s status as the world’s lowest-cost dollar borrower is facing a fresh challenge, and Netflix’s chair and founder is stepping down. Plus, Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite that has helped it target US military bases across the Middle East during the war, and shares in the world’s biggest chocolate maker aren’t looking so sweet.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Israel and Lebanon agree 10-day ceasefire, Trump says
US’s status as lowest-cost dollar borrower challenged as investors shun Trump risk
Netflix founder Reed Hastings to step down from board
Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases
Shares at world’s biggest chocolate maker Barry Callebaut plunge as cocoa prices collapse
Credit: BBC
Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts
Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Saffeya Ahmed, Victoria Craig, and Fiona Symon. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, David da Silva, and Michela Tindera. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSonja Hutson· Host0:00
[intro music] Good morning from the Financial Times. Today is Friday, April seventeenth, and this is your FT news briefing. There's been progress towards a longer-lasting truce in the Middle East, and there's something more appealing to investors than US Treasuries right now. Plus, an FT exclusive on a Chinese satellite that helped Iran target American bases. I'm Sonia Hudson, and here's the news you need to start your day. [news music] US President Donald Trump says Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire yesterday. The two countries started negotiations in Washington earlier this week. They were the first direct talks between the neighboring nations in over 40 years. But many analysts thought it wouldn't really lead to anything. The truce raises hopes that a more lasting peace between Washington and Tehran could be on the way. Israel's bombardment of Lebanon has been a big sticking point in negotiations. But the US and Iran have not resumed talks yet. Trump yesterday said they could restart over the weekend.
Donald Trump· Soundbite1:22
And it's looking very good that we're gonna make a deal with Iran, and it's gonna be a good deal. It's gonna be a deal with no nuclear weapons.