Big Take Asia

In Episode 4 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, we follow a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security as he tries to plan a delicate overseas meeting with a valuable source. But the person he’s talking to isn’t working alone. The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil. The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 3 here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Brussels to Beijing, the United States’ largest trading partners are digesting the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Trump’s signature tariffs — along with his threats to impose new levies by other means.  On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s North Asia economy and government editor Jenni Marsh and Bloomberg’s top trade editor Brendan Murray to discuss how countries across Asia are reacting to Trump’s tariff setback — and how it could boost China’s leverage at the negotiating table ahead of a high-stakes summit next month. Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng and Julia Press; Reported by Jenni Marsh and Brendan Murray; Edited by Paddy Hirsch; Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Supreme Court on Friday handed President Donald Trump one of the biggest losses of his second term, striking down his signature tariff plan. On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder talks to one of the people at the heart of the drama: Rick Woldenberg, the CEO of Learning Resources, a toy company that was a lead plaintiff in the case. And she unpacks the decision and its implications with Supreme Court reporter Greg Stohr and global trade editor Brendan Murray. The Big Take Asia followed Learning Resources throughout 2025 as it formulated its legal response to the new US tariffs and grappled with the challenges of shifting its supply chain from China to some lower-tariff neighbors.  To hear more, listen to these Big Take Asia episodes: Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part One  Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part Two  Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part Three The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive Tariffs Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press and David Fox; Reported by Greg Stohr and Brendan Murray; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 3 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, we follow a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security to the Paris Air Show, and then watch him develop a valuable source, despite his bosses constantly getting in his way. The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanj un became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil. The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episode 1 and 2 here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 2 of The Sixth Bureau, a limited-run series from The Big Take, we learn how China’s Ministry of State Security recruits experts in the West — and why intelligence officers shouldn’t keep their secrets backed up to the cloud.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s an open secret that the Chinese government has engaged in a global campaign to acquire intellectual property from foreign rivals. At the center of that campaign is the Ministry of State Security, China’s elusive intelligence agency. The US has apprehended hundreds of people accused of giving information to the MSS, but the agency’s inner workings have been a mystery — until now. Today, we’re bringing you Episode 1 of The Sixth Bureau, a limited-run series from The Big Take. The series follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil. The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. The limited-run series will publish on Fridays in The Big Take. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a historic election win, positioning her as the nation’s strongest leader in the postwar era. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sakura Murakami to discuss the reaction to Takaichi’s election gamble, her vision for a more assertive Japan and the uphill battle she faces to deliver her ambitious agenda. Read more: Takaichi Triumphs With Japan's Biggest Post-War Election Victory Further listening: All Eyes on Japan and China Tensions After Taiwan Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Yang Yang; Reported by Sakura Murakami; Edited by Paddy Hirsch;Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa and Alex Sugiura.Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the US and India announced a surprise new trade deal that slashes tariffs on Indian goods. It has one major possible catch: a commitment from India to stop buying cheap Russian oil — which will be easier said than done.  On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen joins host Oanh Ha to break down the deal and explain what it means for India’s economy and its relationships with the US, Russia and China. Read more:  Trump’s Surprise Trade Deal With India Resets Fractured Ties - Bloomberg  Further listening: India Wanted to Become The World’s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened  India Won’t Stop Buying Russian Oil. Now It’s Paying the Price.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four years after Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis, its booming market is at a crossroads. Initial high hopes for a tourism surge and a billion-dollar industry have been replaced by an oversupply of shops and a fierce public backlash. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Patpicha Tanakasempipat about what went wrong and whether the industry can weather a political firestorm. Read more: Weed Backlash Grows in Thailand as Kids Turn to CannabisHosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang, Naomi Ng; Reported by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Edited by Paddy Hirsch, Julia Weaver Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Senior Producer Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer Julia Weaver; Executive Producer Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From sinking Treasuries to global selloffs, the turmoil in Japan’s bond market is being felt far beyond its borders.  On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Ruth Carson to unpack what’s rattled international investors and why markets are still on tenterhooks. Read more: Japan Bond Crash Unleashes a $7 Trillion Risk for Global Markets Further listening: The Dollar’s Dominance Is Unwinding in Asia Carry Trades, Explained Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by: Naomi Ng, Yang Yang; Reported by Ruth Carson; Edited by Paddy Hirsch, Julia Weaver;  Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa; Senior Producer Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer Julia Weaver; Executive Producer Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan is home to the world’s oldest population and a growing share of the country’s financial assets – about $2 trillion – are controlled by seniors who are showing signs of cognitive decline. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg’s Alice French about the staggering “dementia money” at risk, the toll of frozen accounts and the haphazard solutions that serve as a stark warning to the rest of the world.  Read more: Japan's 'Dementia Money' Problem Puts Trillions at Risk - Bloomberg Further listening: The Rise of Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ and Its Political Shift to the Right Hosted by Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Alice French, Kentaro Tsutsumi; Edited by Patrich Hirsch, Emma O’Brien; Fact-checking by Yang Yang, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Beijing, the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was a mixed bag -- an embarrassing surprise, a wake-up call over its alliances in Latin America and an opening to step up on the world stage, according to Nicholas Burns, the former US ambassador to China. On today’s Big Take, host David Gura and Ambassador Burns discuss how President Donald Trump’s military actions and threats are reshaping China’s relationships across the Pacific and the Taiwan Strait—and how the so-called “Donroe Doctrine” could ultimately hand China a global edge. Read more: How Maduro’s Removal Could Help China in Venezuela and Latin America Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Yang Yang and Naomi Ng; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters, President Trump threatened to slap a 25% tariff on its trading partners, including China and India. This comes as both countries try to deescalate their own trade wars with the administration. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate about why the path to punishing Iran’s government runs through Asia – China and India in particular.  Read more: Trump Risks Imploding China Trade Truce With Iran Tariff VowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US strike on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro sent shockwaves across the globe — particularly in China, Venezuela’s top crude buyer and creditor. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Jenni Marsh and host K. Oanh Ha talk through what the intervention means for China’s strategic ties and oil supplies and how the military strike could change Beijing’s stance toward Taiwan. Read more: Xi Faces Higher Costs in Taiwan Than Trump Does in Venezuela Further listening: How the Fall of Maduro Could Echo Around the World Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Jenni Marsh; Edited by Jeff Grocott, Emma O’Brien, Daniel Ten Kate, John Liu. Fact-checking by editorial team; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China started 2025 with deflation, a property crisis and fears of a “lost decade” damping sentiment. By year’s end, it had stunned the world with an AI breakthrough, a trillion-dollar trade surplus and rare earth dominance. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg Executive Editor John Liu and Bloomberg Opinion’s Shuli Ren about how China navigated Trump’s tariff war, revived investor confidence and what risks could derail its momentum in 2026. Read more: Repeat After Me: Never, Ever Underestimate ChinaXi’s Triumphant Year Staring Down Trump Belies Woes in China Hosted by: K. Oanh Ha; Produced by: Naomi Ng and Yang Yang; Reported by: Shuli Ren and John Liu; Edited by: Paddy Hirsch; Fact-checking by: Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by: Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin. Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the start of his second term, President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs – especially on China, where most toys are made.  On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Rick Woldenberg, CEO of four‑generation toymaker Learning Resources, about his company’s battle against tariffs in stores and in court – and what it reveals about the true cost of America’s trade war. Read more: Cutting Ties With China Is Harder Than Companies Expected  Further listening:  An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With ChinaIndia Wanted to Become The World’s Toymaker. Then Tariffs HappenedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, but this year’s storms exposed something far uglier: a vast corruption scandal. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Andreo Calonzo and Rosalind Mathieson about how billions of dollars earmarked for flood control vanished and what the crisis means for the country’s political and economic stability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US tariff war with China sent American companies scrambling to find alternative manufacturing hubs. India looked promising until the White House upended everything.  On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, K. Oanh Ha heads to India, where she goes inside two toy factories scrambling to adapt to Washington’s shifting trade policies. How sky-high tariffs are undercutting India’s ambitions to take China’s crown as the world’s factory floor and forcing American manufacturers to make a tough choice.  Read more: Cutting Ties With China Is Harder Than Companies Expected Further listening: An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With ChinaThe American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive TariffsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong’s worst fire disaster in decades has stirred up public anger over negligence, safety standards and official accountability. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Shawna Kwan and Jenni Marsh about the devastation, the political fallout and how the public outcry is causing unease in Beijing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a rare public comment on Taiwan from Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, relations between the two nations are at a historic low — and Beijing is ramping up its economic retaliation. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg’s James Mayger and Isabel Reynolds about the political calculation behind Takaichi’s move, the historical grievances fueling the dispute and the real economic risks facing Tokyo. Read more: China Asks Airlines to Extend Japan Flight Cuts Until March 2026 - Bloomberg Further listening: How APEC Become a Battleground for US-China InfluenceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.