In this final episode of their series for the FT's The Economics Show, FT chief economics commentator Martin Wolf and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman consider listeners’ questions and comments ranging from a critique of globalisation, increasing inequality and plutocracy, the global appetite for US federal debt, China’s economic future and much more.

This is a repeat of an episode published on The Economics Show, a sister podcast of FT News Briefing, on December 17, 2025

Subscribe and listen to this series of The Economics Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Read Martin’s column here

Subscribe to Paul’s substack here

Find Paul’s cultural coda here.

Find Martin’s cultural coda here.

Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Tom Hannen is the video editor. Sound design and original music by Breen Turner.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the most expensive. Between gifts, food and travel, people can end up spending a lot of money this year. The Financial Times’ consumer editor Claer Barrett explains why people are feeling the pinch this season and what they can do about it.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Economists warn of flaws in US inflation report

FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign

Find Claer Barrett on TikTok and Instagram

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BP chief executive Murray Auchincloss has said he will step down after less than two years in the role, India’s central bank governor expects the country’s interest rates to remain low for a ‘long period’, and UK inflation fell more than expected to an eight-month low of 3.2 per cent. Plus, global companies are seeking private equity partners in China to take on their local operations as they grapple with an increasingly competitive local market.

Mentioned in this podcast:

BP picks Woodside boss Meg O’Neill as new chief executive

India’s central bank governor signals rates to stay low for ‘long period’

UK inflation falls more than expected to 3.2% in November

Global brands seek private equity partners to save their China businesses

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.