A Farewell to an American Icon: The Penny
For decades, the penny has cost more to produce than it’s worth. Now, the US government is finally stopping production of the one-cent coin for good. So, how did we get here? And what does it mean for those little Abraham Lincolns stuck behind your couch cushions? On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Steven Dennis takes us through the life and death of the penny, and explores what it reveals about the way the US government works.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4 Juli 15min
With Tax Bill, Trump Ushers in New Era of Executive Power
After weeks of legislative wrangling, the House passed President Trump’s signature tax bill, sending it to his desk just before his July 4 deadline. It's the latest in a sweep of major victories on legislative, military and legal fronts, all of which could impact how Trump enacts his agenda going forward. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s White House and government editor Mario Parker joins Sarah Holder to discuss what the events of the last two weeks could mean for the rest of Trump’s term — and for the future of executive power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3 Juli 17min
The Great Car Buying Bonanza Is (Probably) Over
The auto sector saw buyers race to dealerships after President Trump announced 25% tariffs on car imports and parts from outside the US. And according to new data this week, sales from major automakers appear to be losing steam ahead of Trump’s July 9 tariff deadline. Today on the Big Take, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg’s Detroit bureau chief David Welch to break down how Trump’s trade war could impact car companies including Tesla, GM and Ford, and what that means for car buyers heading into the summer shopping season. Read more: US Auto Sales Lose Steam After Tariff-Induced Shopping SpreeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 Juli 16min
The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive Tariffs
Trump’s trade war has thrown American businesses, which source everything from aircraft parts to baby strollers from China, into chaos. Now some companies are challenging the president’s tariff rulings in the courts. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha is joined by Rick Woldenberg, CEO of the toy company Learning Resources, and Bloomberg’s Lucille Liu, to talk about the impact of the trade war on US importers and Chinese manufacturers and what it ultimately means for American consumers. Read more: Chinese Toymaker Takes Drastic Action to Survive Trump’s TariffsFurther listening: Live from Hong Kong: Why China Can Afford to Wait for a Deal, and the US Can’tThe US and China’s High-Stakes DiplomacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Juli 16min
Cruises Are So Back — And Straining Port Cities
The cruise industry is an outlier right now. Even as US summer travel is down, cruise companies are setting sail with record numbers of passengers this year. But as the industry tries to keep up with this demand, it’s facing growing pains in the port cities it relies on most. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Redd Brown travels to Galveston, Texas — a port city that’s at the center of the industry’s ambitious expansion plans, and that is wrestling with the challenges that opportunity brings. Read more: Why Two Million Tourists Are Boarding Cruise Ships on a Texas IslandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Juni 16min
For $10 Billion Dollars, the Lakers' Buss Family Steps Off the Court
Late last week, the Buss family, longtime owners of the Los Angeles Lakers, announced that they would sell the franchise for a record-breaking $10 billion valuation. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s sports business reporter Randall Williams break down what we know about the deal so far and discuss why America’s wealthiest families seem to be getting out of the game. Read more: Los Angeles Lakers Confirms Majority Stake Sale to Mark Walter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27 Juni 18min
Gap's Quest to Stay Cool Just Hit Its Latest Roadblock: Tariffs
At the start of 2025, Gap was cool again. The legacy American brand had started to turn around sales and rebuild its image. It was in the middle of a splashy ad campaign with the actress Parker Posey. Influencers were posting its clothes online. But then President Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Amanda Mull and Lily Meier walk host Sarah Holder through Gap’s history, its recent re-invention and the challenges it faces now. Plus, we hear from Richard Dickson himself. Read more: Inside Gap’s Last-Ditch, Tariff-Addled Turnaround PushSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
26 Juni 16min
Where the China-Iran Relationship Goes From Here
China is Iran’s biggest trading partner, and sources about 14% of its oil from the country. Between China’s economic relationship with Iran and its ongoing trade negotiations with the US, the conflict between Israel and Iran, and especially US involvement, has put China in a difficult position. Today on Big Take Asia, host Oanh Ha is joined by John Liu, who oversees Bloomberg’s China coverage from Beijing, to discuss what’s at stake for China in Iran and how the conflict could change China’s game plan – not just in the Middle East, but on the global stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Juni 16min
