OECD Slashes Growth, Dutch Government Falls, KKR Quits Thames Bid

Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: (1) Donald Trump’s combative trade policies have tipped the world economy into a downturn, with the US among the hardest hit, the OECD said. The Paris-based organization slashed its global forecasts for the second time this year, citing the impact of the American president’s tariff onslaught. (2) US President Donald Trump is eager to land more trade deals, but talks with China and Europe continue to languish amid communications breakdowns and fresh tariff threats. (3) Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled his Freedom Party out of the Netherlands’ ruling coalition, causing the government to collapse and triggering a snap election. (4) Thames Water’s preferred bidder KKR has pulled out of a rescue deal in a major setback for the utility. The US alternative asset manager “will not be in a position to proceed, and its preferred partner status has now lapsed,” Thames said in a statement Tuesday. (5) Private credit firms enjoy a “significant” capital advantage over traditional banks that’s unlikely to disappear, according to Bill Winters, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Podcast Conversation: Musk’s Chatbot Can Be ‘Non-Woke’ or Truthful, Not Both: Dave Lee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.