A new survey by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research has revealed that consumer confidence in the United States has seen its largest drop since 1990. In Canada voters go to the polls on Monday, and a big issue will be the country’s future relationship with the US. Rahul Tandon discusses the growing economic divide in North America with prominent Canadian businesswoman Arlene Dickinson. And California has overtaken Japan to become the fourth largest global economic force behind Germany, China and the US as a whole.

Donald Trump has signed a controversial executive order aimed at stepping up deep-sea mining within the US and in international waters. The Thursday order is the latest issued by the US president to try to increase America's access to minerals used by the aerospace, green technology and healthcare sectors. Andrew Peach hears from Gerard Barron, Chairman and CEO, The Metals Company, which has been long pushed for permission to mine in the seabed, and Duncan Currie from Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, which is campaigning against mining in the seabed.

China has said no to any trade talks until the US withdraws its tariffs, but which of the World's two superpowers will blink first and bring the growing trade war to a halt?Rahul Tandon finds out how children's Christmas presents could fall victim to the US-China trade war, as President Trump's tariffs threaten to disrupt the global toys market.As the situation in Kashmir develops and Pakistan suspends all trade with India, we hear from Uzair Younhis on what the economic impact will be on Pakistan if India suspends its water flow down the Indus River.Meanwhile, there's concern for the survival of Africa's shea nut tree which provides an income for millions of women.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

As tensions rise, Pakistan says any attempt by India to limit its water supply will be seen as an act of war. This comes after India blamed Pakistan for the attack in India-administered Kashmir, and introduced a series of measures, including the suspension of a water-sharing treaty and the closure of the main border crossing. And in Washington, South Korea’s delegation are meeting the US diplomats today to discuss about the 25% tariffs across the board with more on semiconductors, steel and cars. China and Kenya agreed on Thursday to boost ties to a new level and oppose trade barriers, following talks between President Xi Jinping and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Beijing. And we hear about shea butter, which provides an income for millions of women across Africa, but environmentalists say climate change is impacting the growth and yield of the trees because of prolonged droughts – and there are fears it could impact global supply.

And Rahul Tandon talks to a former advisor to Jerome Powell about the US President's blistering attacks on the Federal Reserve chair.

Beijing says the door for trade talks with the US is wide open, though it's also criticised President Trump's negotiating tactics. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Washington couldn't say it wanted to reach a trade agreement with China while simultaneously exerting extreme pressure. Shares in Tesla are up nearly five per cent following remarks by its billionaire boss, Elon Musk, that he is likely to scale back his work for the Trump administration next month. Around the world, wine production is in decline due to global warming that is causing extreme weather conditions, which affect harvests, and fewer of us are drinking wine.

President Trump says tariffs on China “will not be anywhere near 145%” but won’t be removed all together. It follows US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying he expected a ‘de escalation’ in US China tariffs.The International Monetary Fund has revised its global growth forecast in the wake of Trump’s tariffs, with the US expected to be hit hardest.And the boardgames industry is suffering the consequences of tariffs. A number of companies have launched a legal case against the Trump administration. Among them is Stonemaier Games, we speak to their President.

The International Monetary Fund has slashed its outlook for global growth, adding that US tariffs and market uncertainty will lead to a significant worldwide slowdown. India and the US are making progress in negotiating a bilateral trade deal after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US Vice President JD Vance in Delhi. And in the UK, an isolated island where Stormzy wrote an album is on sale – and expected to go for more than £25m ($33m). Andrew Peach hears from Simon Pelling, the director at Fine and Country, the agents who are selling the island.

Stocks tumble on Wall Street as the week begins. The reason seems to be President Trump's desire to replace the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell.The US Vice President JD Vance has met with India's prime minister Narendra Modi to discuss a trade deal.And the United Nations says the cyberscam industry is expanding globally including to South America and Africa. We hear from International Justice Mission which has been campaigning to help the people forced to working at these scam centres.

US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in the Indian capital, Delhi, where he is due to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid global trade tensions sparked by Washington's tariff policies. The talks are likely to focus on fast-tracking a much-awaited bilateral trade deal between the two countries. The spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank kick off in Washington today, with the state of the global economy front and centre. And we hear about Dubai’s new academy focusing on training creators who produce content for social media and how they can become influencers. Marc Ashdown speaks to Jeremy Jauncey, the founder of Beautiful Destinations, which is behind Dubai’s New Academy.

Tension has grown between President Trump and head of the Federal Reserve. Jerome Powell has faced fierce criticism from Donald Trump, who's accused him of being too slow to cut interest rates. We speak to Chinese manufacturers about the impact of tariffs on their business And a host of new Star Wars films and TV shows have been announced. Ryan Gosling, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, will take the lead.

As President Xi concludes his tour of key East Asian exporting nations, Will Bain explores what deepening ties with Cambodia could mean for the region which also faces the threat of high US tariffs. Also on the programme, the United States unveils plans to impose new port fees on Chinese-built and operated ships—part of a push to revive its domestic shipbuilding industry. China warns the move will disrupt supply chains and hurt global trade. And we head to the European Alps, where a rare spring snowstorm has brought both chaos and celebration.