Trump's tariffs are back. What are they and what do they mean for the Middle East?

Trump's tariffs are back. What are they and what do they mean for the Middle East?

Author: The National News March 26, 2025 Duration: 30:30
Donald Trump has been vocal about his planned tariff war since setting foot on the campaign trail – in both his first and second times in office. Mr Trump began his first stint in the White House with a trade war against China. Some of those tariffs were preserved by Joe Biden’s administration when he began his term in 2020. But throughout his campaign, Mr Trump made clear he’d come back with tariffs at full force. What we’re seeing now is a return of that foreign economic policy – broadened, fast-tracked and intensified. On this episode of Business Extra, we’re hearing from experts about what this means in the political sphere, but also outside of it; for the everyday consumer perhaps uncertain about what a trade war can mean, and for economic machinery here in the region.

Tune into Business Extra for a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping commerce in the Middle East and beyond. Produced by The National News, this podcast moves past the headlines to deliver substantive conversations with the analysts, executives, and innovators driving change. Each episode leans on the deep regional expertise of our editors and reporters, who translate complex developments in markets, energy, and technology into accessible insights. You’ll hear grounded discussions that connect local trends to global patterns, offering a necessary perspective on one of the planet's most dynamic economic landscapes. Whether it's a shift in oil policy, a tech startup's rise, or a new trade agreement, this series provides the context often missing from daily news cycles. For anyone with a stake in understanding how business really works in this pivotal region, Business Extra is an essential listen, blending authoritative journalism with genuine curiosity. The result is a consistently informative podcast that feels less like a briefing and more like a series of insightful conversations with people who have their finger on the pulse.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Extra
Podcast Episodes
Sanctions on Syria: a look back, a way forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:38
For more than a decade, Syria has been under international sanctions aimed at pressuring Bashar Al Assad’s regime. But there is a longer history of sanctions on the country and the broader Middle East. Sanctions can be u…
Al Masaood Automobiles chief on the future of mobility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:14
This episode is sponsored by Al Masaood Automobiles The global automotive industry is undergoing dramatic transformation as owners seek more from their vehicles – and technology delivers. This is evident in the UAE where…
AI and the Gulf: Where it's been and what's next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:04
In the past decade, Gulf countries have prioritised innovation. It's part of a shift from their prime standing as oil economies to their new goal of using the advent of AI to enhance their economies all around. It's gett…
IFC's Makhtar Diop on AI, investments and emerging markets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:40
Global leaders, policymakers and industry experts came together in Dubai this week at the World Governments Summit to discuss the most pressing challenges shaping the future. With a focus on sustainability, AI governance…
Business Extra is back with a new host [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:55
Tune in every other Wednesday for top stories from a global business hotspot, with vital analysis from renowned experts, diverse perspectives from key figures, and exclusive insight from The National's team of reporters.
Trump-Damac Dealing: What's behind it and what's next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:59
Two weeks before returning to office, US president-elect Donald Trump has his eyes on the Middle East — and business interests that are storied to him, but new to the White House. The latest one stars one of the biggest…
Cash, not credit: the enduring power of paper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:12
For the past few decades, slowly but surely, paper cash has increasingly been viewed as antiquated. Digital payment options are in. You can pay by card, by phone and even by smartwatch. Some people even opt to pay via cr…
How family values continue to drive the progress of Danube Group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:47
This page was produced by The National in partnership or collaboration with Danube Group. The Danube Group is a prime example of how 1990s opportunities in the UAE combined with business acuity to create a regional succe…