Marketplace Morning Report

(U.S. Edition) Social media companies will be participating in hearings on Wednesday to testify about foreign influence – specifically the version U.S. officials believe happened in the time leading up to the 2016 elections. Also, there's more trade news, this time with the U.S. offering Europe an offer around U.S. beef imports. There's history behind a quota meant to aid the U.S. cattle industry after European limits were found to violate trade rules. Then, the Trump administration's 25 percent tariff on imported steel has led to retaliation from several nations, but one has been relatively quiet: Japan. Today’s show is sponsored by Avast (avast.com), Emma (myemma.com), Indeed (indeed.com/marketplace) and Michigan Economic Development (planetm.com). (09/04/18)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … As the U.S. and China continue to ratchet up their trade war, China is fostering better relations in Africa. We hear from one of Kenya’s richest men and best-known entrepreneurs about what the investment from the world’s second-largest economy has meant for business in Kenya. Then, after new austerity measures were unveiled in Argentina on Monday, the country’s finance minister heads to Washington to try and secure an early release of a multi-billion dollar loan from the IMF. We’ll explore why the meeting is so important for both sides. Afterwards, LEGO has been hurt this year by a challenging retail environment and the closure of storied Toys 'R' Us. But one expert says there’s still life for the classic block maker. Today’s show is sponsored by Avast (avast.com), Emma (myemma.com), Indeed (indeed.com/marketplace) and Michigan Economic Development (planetm.com). (09/04/18)

(Markets Edition) British Prime Minister Theresa May is doubling down on Brexit, saying that any compromises or ideas of a new referendum on the UK’s planned exit from the EU wouldn’t be in her nation’s best interests. Also, the S&P 500 will be reclassifying Facebook and Alphabet, which is the parent company of Google. They’ll be shifting from the tech section of the index, which affects investors. Then, we look at how Labor Day weekend signifies a final political campaigning and fundraising push before the midterm elections, and how that battle is heating up in state legislatures. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), Simple Contacts (simplecontacts.com/marketplace) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (09/03/2018)

(U.S. Edition) Monday might have been the Labor Day holiday for Americans, but it's business as usual in China. The Chinese president will be meeting with African leaders at a summit in Beijing while also encouraging Chinese businesses to invest no less than $10 billon on Africa in the next three years. Also, the United Farm Workers elected Teresa Romero as its first female president, and she's also the first immigrant woman to lead a national union. Then, we move to the perceived end of summer. It used to be Labor Day, but earlier starts for schools changed that. We examine how that shift affects Labor Day travel and tourism. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), Simple Contacts (simplecontacts.com/marketplace) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (09/03/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … To stem its ongoing currency crisis, Argentina is set to unveil a new round of spending cuts as its finance minister heads to Washington to try and secure a deal for quicker IMF payments. Investors are closely watching any new developments, but what does it all mean for local businesspeople trying to make a living? Then, 10 years after the global financial crisis, people are still struggling with debts – but now they’re “smaller and trickier,” according to new figures from a British charity that helps those dealing with financial problems. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), Simple Contacts (simplecontacts.com/marketplace) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (09/03/2018)

(U.S. Edition) The U.S. and European Union seem to have reignited their feud over trade. The EU offered to drop European car tariffs if the U.S. followed suit, but President Trump declined to do so in an interview. Where does this leave the two sides? Also, Wells Fargo is making bad news again. This time, the bank suspended or fired more than a dozen employees over forged meal receipts. Then, we head to the Minnesota State Fair, which can tell us a lot about trade and agriculture if you look past the food on a stick – or right at it. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace) and Ladder (ladderlife.com). (08/31/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Got your morning coffee? Now, so does Coca-Cola – it’s buying coffee chain Costa for just more than $5 billion. Then, the Argentine peso has seen a sharp drop against the U.S. dollar so far this year as it suffers from another financial crisis. We’ll explore what’s happening and how the president is trying to fix it. Afterwards, a checkbook-printing company was in the news this week because of a labor strike … which got us thinking: How many people still use checks anyway? Today's show is sponsored by Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace) and Ladder (ladderlife.com). (08/31/2018)

(Markets Edition) President Trump is making a Friday trip to Charlotte, N.C. to sign an order designed to help set up retirement plans for small businesses. Then, we look at how the borrowing binge from the U.S. federal government is actually affecting other countries already dealing with a variety of other money challenges. Also, in China, a draft of a civil code is missing a very key piece: any reference to family planning. Does this mean China could end its much-discussed two-child policy? Today's show is sponsored by Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace) and Ladder (ladderlife.com). (08/31/2018)

(Markets Edition) In the ongoing odyssey on tariffs, the Trump administration is allowing U.S. companies some leeway to import more metals. Quotas used to be a way around U.S. metal tariffs, but some businesses are still having problems. We also take another look at the new-look NAFTA as the Friday deadline closes in for Canada to sign on. Then, we take a look at the diversity – or lack of it – within American orchestras, and how one group is working toward altering that perception. Today's show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning) and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (08/30/2018)

(U.S. Edition) President Trump has given Canada a Friday deadline to get on board with a revised trade agreement designed to replace NAFTA. One of the big sticking points in negotiations is how Canada protects its dairy industry. Then, Argentina is requesting that the International Monetary Fund expedite the payment of a $50-billion aid package it got in June. This gives off the appearance to many that Argentina's economy is struggling even more than they thought. Also, we take a look at French president Emmanuel Macron's idea for a pool of funds that extends to all euro-using countries in the event of an economic emergency. Today's show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning) and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (08/30/2018)