BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Enterprise Explores  >  Services: The Next Battleground in Geopolitics?

Services: The Next Battleground in Geopolitics?

Aparna Bharadwaj, Global Leader of the Global Advantage Practice, BCG

22-Oct-25 12:00

Services: The Next Battleground in Geopolitics?

For decades, global trade was dominated by goods like oil and cars. But a new report from BCG argues the real battleground of the future is in services. From cloud computing and fintech to streaming, services trade is projected to hit nearly $12 trillion by 2032, creating new tensions and ‘fault lines’" that will reshape the global economy.

Aparna Bharadwaj, Global Leader of the Global Advantage Practice at BCG, joins us to unpack these findings. She discusses why digital services have become geopolitical flashpoints, how governments are using non-tariff barriers like data localisation, and why businesses must now develop a ‘geopolitical muscle’.

We discuss:

  • What services trade is and why it's growing twice as fast as goods.

  • Why digital services (cloud, SaaS, fintech) are the new ‘fault lines’.

  • The rise of non-tariff barriers like data localisation and digital taxes.

  • Why businesses must build a ‘geopolitical muscle’ to survive.

For business leaders and policymakers, this is an essential guide to the new, complex, and high-stakes future of global commerce.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  governmentpoliticsinternationalLaw/Activismmarkets

Tags:  service tradeglobal tradegeopoliticsnon-tariff barriers





Play / Pause

Listen now : Cruise Control: Nissan Serena e-POWER is one of the most pleasant MPVs...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Shihao Li, A-share Strategist at CITIC CLSA, unpacks China's macro outlook.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Aira Azhari, CEO of IDEAS, discusses leadership gaps in Malaysia’s Federal Statutory Bodies, where 78% of chairperson roles lack formal qualifications.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

H.E Radames Gomez Azuaje, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, discusses the fallout from President Nicolás Maduro’s abduction and its impact on diplomacy, sovereignty, and Malaysia-Venezuela relations.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs discusses recent updates in Malaysian politics.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Stefan Angrick, Head of Japan and Frontier Economics at Moody’s Analytics, discerns Japan's economic signals.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Shihao Li, A-share Strategist at CITIC CLSA, unpacks China's macro outlook.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

Sebastian Beltran Cuevas of Verdant Solar explains the costs, savings, and risks of rooftop solar for homeowners.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Benjamin Parent, Founder & President, Trees On The Way

11:00 AM

FTA

Andy Fisher, Co-founder & Chief Happiness Officer, The Happy Consultancy Group

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

David Lim, Founding Partner at TSF Law

1:00 PM

Breakfast Grille (REPEAT)

H.E Radames Gomez Azuaje, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, discusses the fallout from President Nicolás Maduro’s abduction and its impact on diplomacy, sovereignty, and Malaysia-Venezuela relations.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

Each year thousands of migrating raptors cross the Straits of Malacca. We explore the science behind the spectacle and Raptor Watch 2026 with Wong Shea Hong.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

We look at why prevention of RSV infection in a newborn baby is so important and how it can begin before birth.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Big Issue

Is The Epstein Files Release Harmful To Society?

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

The Charm in Malaysia’s Old Flats

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Nissan Serena e-POWER is one of the most pleasant MPVs that Daniel has driven. He shares more on the show.