There are questions about the future of Taiwan after Donald Trump declared he’s “not looking to have somebody go independent”. The US president met China’s leader in Beijing and says Xi Jinping asked him whether the US would defend Taiwan. What do Trump’s comments mean for US-China relations and how likely is a Chinese invasion of the self-governed island? Today, Samir Puri, visiting lecturer in war studies at King’s College London on President Xi Jinping’s warning to Trump and whether the Chinese are ready for war. Featured: Samir Puri, visiting lecturer in war studies at King’s College London
Is the budget bold enough to stop One Nation’s rise?
19/05/2026 | 15 mins.
Labor wants its budget to be seen as a concrete step towards levelling the playing field between the generations. But Newspoll suggests it’s the most unpopular federal budget in more than 30 years. Across the polls, Labor’s support is steady or declining, while One Nation rises above the Coalition. Will bolder economic policies from Labor and the Coalition stop the collapse of Australia’s two-party system and the rise of minor parties and independents? Today, Michelle Grattan, political correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow at the University of Canberra on the reaction to the budget. Featured: Michelle Grattan, political correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow at the University of Canberra
What Trump’s China trip reveals about the AI race
18/05/2026 | 15 mins.
With so many tech bosses accompanying Donald Trump on his recent trip to China, expectations were high that AI and high tech business deals would be central to the talks. But in the end, there was no breakthrough on selling US firm Nvidia’s high tech AI chips to China. So where does that leave the race for AI dominance and how are China and the US approaching AI differently? Today, China tech expert Selina Xu on who’s ahead right now and what happens next. Featured: Selina Xu, China tech researcher, writer and analyst
The tax raid on family trusts
17/05/2026 | 15 mins.
If you’ve got a family trust, you’re probably doing pretty well. They’ve been used for generations to distribute wealth and reduce tax bills. Now the government’s moving to make sure the tax office receives more from the earnings, imposing a minimum 30 percent tax on discretionary trusts. Today, Kristen Sobeck a tax expert at the University of Canberra on the new tax on trusts. Featured: Kristen Sobeck, economics lecturer at the University of Canberra
Why Trump keeps asking 'Vance or Rubio?'
14/05/2026 | 16 mins.
Marco Rubio is hitting his stride, he’s Trump’s National Security Advisor and his Secretary of State, he’s taken over the White House press briefing, sat down with the Pope and is now in China for Trump’s showdown with President Xi. No wonder speculation is growing that he could be the next Republican presidential nominee, instead of Vice President JD Vance. Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the Niskanen Center think tank on the new political battle in the US. Featured: Geoff Kabaservice, Niskanen Center Vice President for Political Studies
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