Susan Li has spent over two decades anchoring, reporting, and dissecting global financial markets across major networks including Bloomberg Television, CNBC, and the Fox Business Network. Her trajectory from local Canadian broadcasts to leading the line on international financial desks reflects a broader shift in how economic news is reported to global audiences.
Understanding her career path requires looking at how modern business journalism operates across multiple continents. Her reports bridge complex macroeconomic policy changes and everyday consumer impacts, making intricate financial data accessible to millions of viewers.
Early Life and Educational Foundations
Born in China and raised in Toronto, Canada, Li developed an early appreciation for economic stability and hard work, heavily influenced by her mother who raised the family independently. That upbringing instilled a pragmatic view of finance and international trade.
She attended the University of Toronto, where she earned a degree in economics. Rather than pursuing a traditional corporate finance or banking route, she channeled her understanding of monetary policy, market structures, and corporate governance into journalism. Her academic background gave her the technical vocabulary required to interview central bankers, tech founders, and global heads of state without relying on scripted talking points.
Breaking Ground at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Li kicked off her professional media career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Working in various capacities—including associate producer and freelance reporter for both radio and television—she learned the rigorous mechanics of daily news production.
At the CBC, she covered regional political developments and consumer advocacy stories. This foundation taught her how to distill heavy bureaucratic and economic reports into clear, engaging segments for everyday audiences. The experience sharpened her on-air delivery and prepared her for the high-pressure environment of international financial broadcasting.
International Scaling at Bloomberg Television
In 2006, Li moved to Bloomberg Television, a transition that placed her at the forefront of Asia-Pacific financial reporting. Based out of major financial hubs, she hosted the network's first primetime evening newscast in the region, Asia Business Tonight.
During her tenure at Bloomberg, she anchored flagship programs such as First Up with Susan Li, Bloomberg Edge, and Morning Call. Her coverage did not shy away from monumental global events. She reported extensively on the 2008 global financial crisis, the Chinese stock market bubbles, and the Beijing Olympic Games.
One of her signature career milestones involved hosting Asia Stars aboard Hong Kong’s Star Ferry, interviewing top corporate titans while crossing Victoria Harbour. Her interviewing style earned her international recognition, including a nomination for Best News Anchor at the Asian Television Awards in 2008 and high commendations for First Up in 2012. Her multilingual capabilities—fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin—allowed her to navigate cross-border trade discussions effortlessly.
Expanding Influence Across CNBC Asia and Europe
In 2014, Li transitioned to CNBC Asia as a co-anchor for Asia Squawk Box, a program that won Best News Program at the Asian Television Awards in 2015. Her reporting took her across borders to major economic summits, including the World Economic Forum in Davos and APEC summits where she moderated high-profile onstage discussions.
Later, she relocated to London to join CNBC Europe as co-anchor of Worldwide Exchange. By reporting from both European and Asian financial capitals, she gave viewers a synchronized look at how overnight market shifts in one hemisphere directly impacted trading floors in another. She later moved to CNBC's U.S. operations in New York as a correspondent and relief presenter.
Making an Impact at Fox Business Network
Li joined the Fox Business Network as a correspondent and anchor, bringing her extensive international market expertise to American viewers. At Fox Business, she has covered major tech transformations, Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, inflation surges, and corporate earnings cycles.
Her interview roster includes a who's who of global business leaders and political figures, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among many others. Whether she's live on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange or reporting from major tech product launches, her segments focus on translating complex corporate earnings and regulatory crackdowns into actionable insights for retail investors and market observers.
Core Interview Style and Journalistic Approach
What sets Li apart from traditional anchors is her deep familiarity with balance sheets and macroeconomic indicators. Rather than accepting corporate PR statements at face value, she presses executives on margins, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regulatory pressures.
She often emphasizes the human element behind massive market movements. When interviewing tech leaders about artificial intelligence rollouts or retail CEOs about consumer spending dips, she anchors the conversation in how ordinary households and global supply chains absorb those changes. Her background across multiple international markets gives her a rare comparative perspective on how monetary policies enacted in Washington or Frankfurt ripple outward to Asian manufacturing centers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Susan Li study in college?
She earned a degree in economics from the University of Toronto. This academic background provided her with foundational knowledge of market dynamics, trade policies, and monetary systems that she applies to her daily reporting.
What languages does Susan Li speak?
She is multilingual, speaking English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. This skill set proved essential when she was based in Hong Kong and Beijing, enabling her to conduct direct interviews with international business leaders and political figures without translation barriers.
Which networks has Susan Li worked for?
Her career spans several major global broadcasters. She started at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), served as a prominent anchor for Bloomberg Television and CNBC across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and currently works as a correspondent and anchor for the Fox Business Network.
What major events has she covered?
Throughout her career, she has reported live from major historical and economic milestones, including the 2008 global financial crisis, the Beijing Olympic Games, various APEC summits, and annual meetings of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
