BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 at 5: Trump-Xi Trade War Redux

Top 5 at 5: Trump-Xi Trade War Redux

Woo Wing Thye, economist and vice president, Asia of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

20-Mar-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Trump-Xi Trade War Redux

President Trump has hinted at a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping amid escalating US-China trade tensions. With tariffs, investigations, and countermeasures piling up, China is turning to back-channel diplomacy to avoid further economic fallout. Economist Woo Wing Thye joins us to discuss whether Beijing’s approach can defuse the situation.

Other stories we covered:

Forest City’s mega rail plan: Forest City is expanding its transportation network with upgraded bus routes and plans for rail connectivity, including links to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. With major projects like the RTS Link set for completion next year, can these efforts cement Johor’s position as a regional transit hub? Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan weighs in.
• Ban dating apps to save the kids? A consumer group is calling for a ban on dating apps after over 600 sexual crimes last year involved social media platforms. But is blocking apps an effective long-term solution? We ask Benjamin Loh, Course Director for Digital Media and Communication at Monash University.
• When your kidneys costs you your job: Nearly half of chronic kidney disease patients in Malaysia have lost their jobs due to declining health, with most affected individuals from the B40 income group. With treatment costs reaching RM40,000 annually, how can policies better support these patients? We speak to Dr Lydia Kamaruzaman, clinical nephrologist and researcher at UKM.
• Capping the PM’s time in power: DAP’s proposal to cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at ten years has sparked fierce debate, with Anwar Ibrahim backing the move while PAS leaders claim it contradicts Islamic governance. Would a term limit strengthen democracy, or is it just political maneuvering? We discuss.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Dashran Yohan, Alia Zefri, Sneha Harikannan, Sudais Ferhard

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan


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

Categories:  technologyeconomymanaginggovernmentenvironmentcorruptionLaw/ActivismcontroversiescultureHistory/HeritageCars/Motoringhealth policy

Tags:  johor transit hubjohor railwaydating app banchild predatorssexual crimesmalaysian healthcarelimit prime ministers termdonald trumpxi jinpingus-chinatrade wargeopoliticschina economyus economyjohor forest cityrts linkonline safetysocial mediachronic kidney diseaseunemploymentchronic illnessb40anwar ibrahimtun mahathirdapdemocracy





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

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

Joe Quinlan of US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

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

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Preston Caldwell of Morningstar discusses the impact of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on the US economy.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

The Assemblywoman of Subang Jaya Michelle Ng Mei Sze discusses the aftermath of gas explosion in Putra Heights.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Tan Sri Andrew Sheng of the Institute for Capital Market Research Malaysia shares insights into Malaysia's economic resilience and the potential impact of global turbulence on necessary reforms.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Benjamin Barton, University of Nottingham Malaysia dissects Marine Le Pen's embezzlement conviction and French politics.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) The Assemblywoman of Subang Jaya Michelle Ng Mei Sze discusses the aftermath of gas explosion in Putra Heights.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Preston Caldwell of Morningstar discusses the impact of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on the US economy.

9:35 AM

Ringgit & Sense

Linnet Lee, DIrector at Resolute Planning talks about the planning for your own aged care.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Cynco's AI Revolution: Can It Replace Your Accountant?

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Industrial Automation and AI Drones

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

AI Is Only as Smart as Your Data

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Tan Sri Andrew Sheng of the Institute for Capital Market Research Malaysia shares insights into Malaysia's economic resilience and the potential impact of global turbulence on necessary reforms.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

In this episode of "There's No Planet B," Atmospheric Scientist Dr Matthew Ashfold explains what the effects of the climate crisis will be on both people and the planet.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

How racist was Malaysia in 2024? We discuss with NGO Pusat Komas.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Is butter artery-clogging, or a superfood? We break down the results of a recent study concluding that butter increases the risk of death.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Thursday

How do you feel about small talk? Are you good at it?

8:00 PM

BBC World Service