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Big Take Asia

Big Take Asia

Bloomberg 137 Episodes Jul 23, 2026

We’re taking The Big Take to Asia. Each week, Bloomberg’s Oanh Ha tells a story from the home of the world's most dynamic economies - and the markets, tycoons and businesses that drive the ever-shifting region.

Episodes

Almost $1 Billion Later, the US Still Can’t Manufacture Medical Gloves
Almost $1 Billion Later, the US Still Can’t Manufacture Medical Gloves Jul 23, 2026 982 After the pandemic-era run on medical gloves, the US government set a plan in motion to reshore manufacturing. Roughly six years and almost $1 billion later, America is once again facing potential shortages of medical gloves because of supply chain disruptions stemming from the war in Iran. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and health care industry reporter Anna Edney break down
Chasing the Ancient Stolen Statues of Cambodia
Chasing the Ancient Stolen Statues of Cambodia Jul 21, 2026 1213 When a 1,000-year-old Cambodian statue came up for auction at Sotheby’s in New York, it sparked off an investigation that uncovered one of the world’s most extensive art trafficking networks. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Matthew Campbell and American lawyer Bradley Gordon on how Cambodia’s looted treasures ended up scattered a
Xi Jinping Loves Soccer. Why Is China’s Team So Bad?
Xi Jinping Loves Soccer. Why Is China’s Team So Bad? Jul 14, 2026 1152 China’s men’s soccer team has qualified for the World Cup just once, despite millions in investment and a personal push from President Xi Jinping to turn the nation into a footballing powerhouse. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host Oanh Ha speaks with Eric Zhu of Bloomberg Economics and Mark Dreyer, sports writer and author of Sporting Superpower, about why the country’s
Why China Is Flashing Its Military Muscle
Why China Is Flashing Its Military Muscle Jul 7, 2026 1132 China rattled neighbors from Japan to Australia on Monday by test-launching a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine in the Pacific Ocean. While such launches are rare, the latest test reflects Beijing’s increasing openness about its growing military strength. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, Rebecca Choong Wilkins, who covers Asian government and politics, joins host K
Asia’s AI Stock Frenzy Is a Warning Sign for Global Markets
Asia’s AI Stock Frenzy Is a Warning Sign for Global Markets Jun 30, 2026 1049 Thanks to the AI boom, stock markets in Taiwan and South Korea have seen historic rallies this year. But as retail investors pile in, often using borrowed money, concerns are growing over whether this momentum is sustainable. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, guest host Rebecca Choong Wilkins speaks with Bloomberg’s Asian markets reporter Charlotte Yang and Bloomberg Opinion’s Sh
China’s Instagram Gets Ready to Go Public
China’s Instagram Gets Ready to Go Public Jun 23, 2026 1125 After more than a decade as a private company, Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, known internationally as RedNote, is testing China’s mood for all things tech with its plan to list in Hong Kong. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg Intelligence’s Robert Lea about why the time may be right for an IPO and what Xiaohongshu's debut says about th
The Iran War’s Lasting Scars Across Asia
The Iran War’s Lasting Scars Across Asia Jun 16, 2026 1204 An interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz offers relief, but Asia’s economic woes are far from over. Beyond the chokepoint, the conflict has forced long-lasting shifts in Asia’s food and energy flows. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, Oanh Ha joins Odd Lots co-hosts Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal to discuss why Asia is reeling from the conflict and what the “new norm
China Tightens Its Grip on Billions in Offshore Wealth
China Tightens Its Grip on Billions in Offshore Wealth Jun 9, 2026 1126 Offshore trading has long given Chinese investors access to global markets — often through legal gray areas. Now, Beijing is stepping in with its biggest crackdown in decades. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Lulu Chen about the sweeping restrictions and why Beijing is tightening controls over money leaving the country. We have a special B
Huge AI Bonuses Spark South Korea Tech Wealth Fight
Huge AI Bonuses Spark South Korea Tech Wealth Fight Jun 2, 2026 1079 Samsung recently made headlines when it narrowly averted a strike by offering eye-popping bonuses to its chip workers. But the move has seemingly backfired—sparking deep resentment in other corners of the company and fueling a wider debate over wage equity in South Korea. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Yoolim Lee break down how the wage dispute
Indonesia’s $15 Billion Free Lunch Experiment
Indonesia’s $15 Billion Free Lunch Experiment May 26, 2026 1076 Indonesia’s free lunch program is a massive operation, feeding tens of millions of people every day across a vast archipelago. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks with Bloomberg’s Rosalind Mathieson about the challenges facing President Prabowo’s flagship program and whether it can survive the strain. Read more: Handing Out $15 Bill
Weekend Listen: China vs the US: Kishore Mahbubani on a Zero-Sum Rivalry
Weekend Listen: China vs the US: Kishore Mahbubani on a Zero-Sum Rivalry May 24, 2026 2081 Beyond this month's talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, there’s an epic tale that has been unfolding for decades. It’s a battle to be the world’s number one power and a much bigger story than the latest meeting of these two men.  Kishore Mahbubani is a former Singaporean diplomat who served as president of the United Nations Security Cou
SoftBank’s $60 Billion OpenAI Bet Sparks Concerns
SoftBank’s $60 Billion OpenAI Bet Sparks Concerns May 19, 2026 1202 SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has made a $60 billion bet on OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman – a commitment that has some insiders worried. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Min-Jeong Lee about how Son became captivated by Altman and what’s at stake for his reputation – and the company – as the AI race intensifies. We have a

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