Big Take

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

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Hims Wants to Keep Mailing You Copycat GLP-1s. It’s Getting Trickier. Friday, August 15, 2025

When a shortage of brand-name weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy cleared the way for companies like Hims to fill the gap with cheaper, compounded versions, customers came flocking. But in February, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the shortage was over, leaving the company's strategy in flux and some investors worried. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg healthcare reporter Madison Muller track how Hims became the king of copycat weight-loss drugs and what’s next for the company as it fights to hold onto the crown. Read more: How Hims Became the King of Knockoff Weight-Loss Drugs Cheap Ozempic Knockoffs Are Suddenly Everywhere. Are They Safe? The Weight-Loss Drug Boom’s Prescription Problem Listen and follow The Big Take on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Why Trump Is Letting Nvidia Sell (Some) AI Chips to China Thursday, August 14, 2025

In an unusual deal, Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices have agreed to pay the US government 15% of their revenue from AI chips they sell to China. The US has blocked the sale of other, more powerful chips to China on the basis of national security, but the exception underscores the Trump administration’s openness to make exceptions… if the price is right. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg economic statecraft reporter Joe Deaux joins host Sarah Holder to explain the unprecedented nature of the deal, concerns about its legality and how it fits into Trump’s approach to trade with global competitors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What’s at Stake Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting Wednesday, August 13, 2025

President Donald Trump is heading to Alaska to host a face-to-face meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin to talk about finally, maybe, putting an end to Russia’s war with Ukraine. Notably not invited? Ukraine — or any other European leaders. Today on the show, Bloomberg editor Flavia Krause-Jackson joins host David Gura to talk about why Russia has finally agreed to talk, what’s likely to be on the table in Anchorage and how significant this summit might be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How China Is Bringing Hong Kong’s IPO Market Back to Life Tuesday, August 12, 2025

After a years-long slump, Hong Kong’s IPO market is roaring back to life, thanks to a growing number of Chinese companies that are raising billions of dollars in the city. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Dave Sebastian explore how China is transforming the financial hub into a key funding engine for mainland firms— and the risks this poses for banks on Wall Street and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Who’s Really Paying for Tariffs? Hint: It’s Not Foreign Companies Monday, August 11, 2025

President Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs have pushed the average US tariff rate to 15%, up from just over 2% last year. But who’s actually footing the bill so far? On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Businessweek’s “Everybody’s Business” host Stacey Vanek Smith takes Sarah Holder through Tariff 101: How is that money being collected and where is it going? Read more: It’s Only a Matter of Time Until Americans Pay for Trump’s TariffsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Who Will Win the Race for Greenland’s Rare Earths? Friday, August 8, 2025

For years, President Donald Trump has voiced his ambitions to expand the US presence in Greenland. But making that happen is easier said than done. Bloomberg’s Joe Deaux traveled to the remote island this spring, alongside a former Trump administration official who’s hoping to build a rare-earths mine there — with the federal government’s investment. On today’s Big Take podcast, Joe walks host David Gura through what he saw on the ground, what Greenlanders have to say about Trump’s rhetoric and what it would really take to establish a mines-to-magnets pipeline in Greenland. Read more: Greenland’s Rare-Earth Dreams Are Luring Trump AlliesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Private Equity Is Coming for Your 401(k) Thursday, August 7, 2025

US President Donald Trump just signed an executive order that aims to allow private equity into a $12 trillion piece of America’s retirement market — 401(k)s. On today’s Big Take podcast, private equity reporter Allison McNeely joins host Sarah Holder to explain what this could mean for the average American’s retirement savings. Read more: Trump Signs Order Easing Path for Private Assets in 401(k)sSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Inside the Trump Family’s Money-Making Machine Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Since President Trump kicked off his reelection campaign in November 2022, his net worth has more than doubled — to roughly $6.4 billion. No modern American president has positioned his family to make so much money while in the White House. Today on the show, Bloomberg reporters Max Abelson and Annie Massa join host David Gura to discuss the sources of the Trump family’s wealth — from cryptocurrencies and sneakers to Trump-branded towers in the Middle East. Read more: The Trump Family’s Money-Making MachineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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India Won’t Stop Buying Russian Oil. Now It’s Paying the Price. Tuesday, August 5, 2025

President Trump has been cranking up the pressure on India, a country the US has courted as a strategic counterweight against China. Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on the country, a higher rate than many other major economies in Asia. But he didn’t stop there. This week, he’s threatened to raise the levy even higher. His message to India is clear: Stop buying Russian oil. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen joins K. Oanh Ha to unpack the historical and economic ties that have kept Russia and India close and discuss why that relationship is now being tested on the world stage. Read more: Trump Vows to Ramp Up India Tariffs in Escalation of Russia Spat Further listening: Is Trump’s Trade War Strategy Working?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The World Trusts US Economic Data. Trump’s BLS Firing Could Change That. Monday, August 4, 2025

For decades, the data collected by the apolitical Bureau of Labor Statistics was seen as a gold standard — informing decisions made by the Federal Reserve, global business leaders and even presidents. But now, after President Trump’s firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer following a disappointing July jobs report — that could change. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Molly Smith joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the potentially sweeping policy ramifications of a shake-up at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Is Trump’s Trade War Strategy Working? Friday, August 1, 2025

As President Donald Trump’s goalposts for his trade war continue to shift, Big Take host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg’s global trade editor Brendan Murray to discuss where things stand and how Trump has dramatically shifted America’s approach to international trade deals.Read more: How Trump Let $1 Trillion Worth of Imports Escape His Tariff HammerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Why It’s So Hard to Buy or Sell a House Right Now Thursday, July 31, 2025

The US housing market just posted its slowest spring season in more than a dozen years. Experts are pointing to a combination of factors: high prices, elevated mortgage rates and economic uncertainty in America. So what would it take to turn things around? Big Take host Sarah Holder spoke with Bloomberg housing reporter Prashant Gopal and real estate agents in major markets about the challenges for buyers and sellers. Read more: US Housing Market Posts Worst Spring Selling Season in 13 YearsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Promise of Stablecoin: A Cryptocurrency Meant to Be Boring Wednesday, July 30, 2025

President Trump signed the Genius Act, the US’s first major federal cryptocurrency legislation, earlier this month. The law focuses on one type of cryptocurrency: stablecoins. So, what exactly is a stablecoin? On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Emily Mason joins host Sarah Holder to break down what stablecoins are, how they work and what their wider adoption could mean for the crypto industry, banks and consumers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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China Bets Big on a $167 Billion Tibetan Dam Tuesday, July 29, 2025

China is building the largest power plant the world has ever seen, in a very remote corner of Tibet. But the $167 billion hydropower dam has environmentalists and neighboring countries concerned. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Menaka Doshi speaks to Bloomberg’s Dan Murtaugh about the engineering and geopolitical challenges, and the impact construction will have on the country’s economy.Read more: Xi Ties His Legacy and China’s Economy to $167 Billion Dam Further listening: China's Plans to Make AI a UtilitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Crunching the Numbers on President Trump’s Trade War Sunday, July 27, 2025

For months, the impact of President Trump’s aggressive trade policy has largely felt theoretical. But with an Aug. 1 tariff extension on the horizon and a consequential week ahead for the president’s broader economic agenda, the cracks are beginning to show. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior economic writer Shawn Donnan joins David Gura to break down the tariff fallout hiding in plain sight, and which sectors and countries are being hit the hardest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What Keeps Former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Up at Night Friday, July 25, 2025

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss Sullivan’s tenure in the Biden White House, the consequences of President Trump’s cuts to foreign assistance and government staff, and what Sullivan sees as the most pressing foreign policy challenges facing the current administration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Oil and Gas Made the University of Texas Rich. Can Green Energy Make It Richer? Thursday, July 24, 2025

With more than $50 billion under management, Harvard has the largest college endowment in the United States. But the University of Texas is not far behind. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Janet Lorin joins host David Gura to discuss how the University of Texas harnessed land and oil to build the second-largest endowment in higher education and why it’s now adding new kinds of energy — and new ventures — to its portfolio. Read more: Oil-Rich University of Texas Wants to Cash In on AI, Crypto and PowerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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After US-Japan Trade Deal, What’s Next in Trump’s Trade War Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Bob Zoellick and Mike Froman spent years crisscrossing the globe as US Trade Representatives for George W. Bush and Barack Obama, respectively. They hammered out deals that accelerated an era of free trade.As President Donald Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline approaches and Japan strikes a major deal with his trade team, David Gura brings the two former trade officials together to get their take on the president’s efforts to reshape the global economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Trump’s Tariffs Force Europe to Rethink Ties With China Tuesday, July 22, 2025

This week, top European Union leaders are traveling to Beijing for a high-level summit which could set the tone for the relationship between the EU and China for years to come. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Alan Crawford examine the shifting ties between Brussels and Beijing and the effect Trump is having on the relationship. Read more: US Tariffs Are Changing Europe’s Approach to Chinese Investment Further listening: The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive TariffsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What Worries Former Pentagon Chief Robert Gates Monday, July 21, 2025

Over many decades of public service, Robert Gates has served as secretary of defense for two presidents and the director of the CIA.On today’s Big Take podcast, Gates sits down with host David Gura and shares his perspective on what makes this moment one of “the most perilous” in history.It’s the first of several interviews David did with some of the biggest names in foreign policy and national security at the Aspen Security Forum. We’ll publish those conversations on The Big Take over the next couple of weeks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.