India's Modi Hosts Germany's Merz as Trump Threatens Iran | The Pulse 1/12/2026

Posted on 01/12/2026
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the world should brace for more uncertainty with the return of global power politics, urging closer economic and security ties with countries like India to counter the instability.

Merz met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in his first trip to Asia since taking office in May, calling on New Delhi to “urgently conclude” trade talks with the European Union and strengthen supply chains that have been disrupted over the past year. The two sides signed about 10 agreements spanning areas from critical minerals to traditional medicines.

The meeting between the two leaders was an opportunity to showcase stronger economic and security ties amid strained relations with the US under Donald Trump. The US President’s repeated threats to annex Greenland have shocked European allies, while India remains saddled with one of the highest US tariff rates of 50%.

Today's guests: Bhanu Baweja, UBS Investment Bank Chief Strategist; Rachel Ellehuus, RUSI Director-General; Nadia Martin Wiggen, Svelland Capital Director.

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"The Pulse With Francine Lacqua" is all about conversations with high profile guests in the beating heart of global business, economics, finance and politics. Based in London, we go wherever the story is, bringing you exclusive interviews and market-moving scoops.



Chapters:

00:00:00 - The Pulse with Francine Lacqua

00:00:32 - Fed served with DOJ subpoenas

00:03:44 - Bhanu Baweja, UBS Investment Bank,Chief Strategist

00:13:18 - Trump says US considering Iran options

00:17:03 - Rachel Ellehuus, RUSI Director General

00:23:46 - Monday headlines

00:24:14 - Merz eyes India business, defense deals in first Asia trip

00:30:37 - EU trade deal with Mercosur defies Trump’s protectionism

00:31:00 - UK, Germany lead talks on NATO forces in Greenland

00:34:03 - Fed subpoenas revives "Sell America" trade

00:38:37 - Nadia Martin Wiggen, Svelland Capital Director

00:42:50 - Trump confident US oil companies to invest in Venezuela

00:45:36 - Svelland Capital's Martin Wiggen on Venezuela energy future

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