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My Take
Macroscope
Vietnamese garment factory workers stitch apparel at a factory in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: AFP
Asean

My Take | Is Trump’s tariff reprieve a false dawn for small Asian nations?

Trump’s tariff pause offers Asian nations a glimmer of hope, but uncertainty looms, as trade talks could squeeze low-income economies further.

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India

Opinion | How India’s diplomatic gamble with the US failed to pay off

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China economy

Opinion | Trump’s targeting of China will only spur its economic recovery

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China-India relations

Opinion | Void left by US aid cuts could be vital test for China-India detente

As the world struggles to send aid to Myanmar, New Delhi and Beijing have a chance to emerge as leaders in humanitarian relief.

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People reach up for food aid being distributed in Sagaing, Myanmar, on April 3, following the March 28 earthquake. Photo: AFP
People reach up for food aid being distributed in Sagaing, Myanmar, on April 3, following the March 28 earthquake. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Does Trump have what it takes to solve North Korean nuclear impasse?

To get Pyongyang to denuclearise, the US must learn from past negotiation mistakes and make Kim Jong-un an offer he can’t refuse.

Asia housing and property

The View | Why Asian real estate is safe from Trump’s tariff blitz

Trump’s tariffs will inevitably dampen sentiment towards Asian real estate, but domestic demand will act as a shock absorber.

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Diplomacy

Macroscope | Trump could end up making Asia, not America, great again

The US’ presence in Asia is entrenched but the prospect of a Europe-East Asia economic alliance is one card both regions could play.

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European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic meets Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Beijing, China, on March 27. Photo: EPA-EFE/Xinhua
European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic meets Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Beijing, China, on March 27. Photo: EPA-EFE/Xinhua
Indonesia

Asian Angle | Can Indonesia’s Batam hold its own against Johor-Singapore SEZ?

Batam has struggled to attract investment, stymied by local-level dysfunctions and a lack of connections to major Indonesian cities.

Women and gender

Being Chinese | I identify as a Chinese auntie, cheapskate and busybody. Anyone else?

I revel in low prices and awkward questions. I’m finding that being a Chinese auntie overseas also means being part of an Asian sisterhood.

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Asean

Opinion | 3 ways Asean can survive Trump’s tariff war – and 4 ways China can help

Amid escalating global trade tensions, Southeast Asian nations must stick together and diversify their options to mitigate external shocks.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
United States

Outside In | Real threat posed by Trump’s tariffs worse than a global recession

The US president cannot be allowed to replace world’s hard-won multilateral compromise and cooperation with bullying bilateralism.

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US President Donald Trump holds a tariffs poster in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 2. Photo: AZUMA Press Wire/dpa
US President Donald Trump holds a tariffs poster in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 2. Photo: AZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Japan

My Take | Will Trump’s tariffs push Japan and South Korea closer to China?

Despite recent US efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific alliances, Washington’s tariffs may drive Tokyo and Seoul towards closer economic ties with China.

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The Philippines

Opinion | Why the Philippines can’t count on the US’ strategic love

The Trump administration has offered reassurances to Manila, but mixed signals and global tariffs mean there are still reasons to be wary.

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China-Russia relations

Opinion | Amid tariff wars, Chinese carmakers are dominating Russian market

The likes of Geely and Chery have filled the gap left by Western rivals. Even with higher duties now levied by Moscow, Chinese vehicles remain the most popular.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
Pakistan

Opinion | How tech innovation can bolster Pakistan’s relationship with China

Pakistan’s start-up ecosystem is set to flourish and collaboration with China in areas such as agritech and fintech can boost growth and prosperity.

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A woman takes a selfie with her friends after offering prayers at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. About two-thirds of the population are under 30, and many are eager to adopt new technology. Photo: AFP
A woman takes a selfie with her friends after offering prayers at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. About two-thirds of the population are under 30, and many are eager to adopt new technology. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | In a broken world, China-Japan-Korea cooperation is Asia’s backbone

By blending economic might, technological prowess and cultural bonds, cooperation can be elevated into a transformative, inspiring force.

India

Opinion | Don’t blame China for India’s manufacturing decline

Beijing’s proposed manufacturing partnership ran aground only after New Delhi decided to take border tensions out on Chinese businesses.

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Asia housing and property

The View | How Indonesia can calm property investors’ fears of a return to 1998

Concern about democratic backsliding and poor liquidity are obscuring otherwise solid fundamentals in one of Asia’s largest markets.

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The Kuningan business district is seen at dusk in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2023. Rents for grade A office buildings in the central business district have fallen continuously for the past decade. Photo: Shutterstock
The Kuningan business district is seen at dusk in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2023. Rents for grade A office buildings in the central business district have fallen continuously for the past decade. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Opinion | Why Duterte drama should inspire Malaysia to reconsider joining ICC

If Malaysia is serious about its global legal credibility and commitment to justice, it must take this chance to return to the Rome Statute.

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Vietnam

Asian Angle | Will Vietnam’s trade charm offensive be enough to placate Trump?

With a hefty US trade deficit, Vietnam’s leadership is betting on diplomacy and substantial investments to keep American tariffs at bay.

Malaysia

Asian Angle | Data centres are booming in Johor. Now comes the hard part – job creation

Talent creation, retention and lucrative pay offered by firms in neighbouring Singapore pose challenges to the state’s thriving sector.

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Visitors at the groundbreaking ceremony for Malaysia’s first Google data centre in Kuala Lumpur last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Climate change

Opinion | Asia can’t afford to wait for the US to wake up to its climate duty

As the US walks away again, Europe, China and others need to fill the climate reparation funding gap, not out of charity but responsibility.

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Elephants wade through flood waters to help bring relief supplies to villagers in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, on October 6, 2024. Photo: AP
Elephants wade through flood waters to help bring relief supplies to villagers in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, on October 6, 2024. Photo: AP
Malaysia

My Take | Flags on Malaysian school uniforms a badge of honour or a burden to parents?

The onus to keep flags ‘clean and not faded’ falls on the parents, some of whom are already struggling with day-to-day expenses.

US-China relations

Opinion | US treatment of Indo-Pacific allies could de-escalate ties with China

Donald Trump is likely to keep projecting power in Asia but his focus on other priorities will reshape regional dynamics.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Why the US could lose more ground in Southeast Asia

While the US remains Asean’s biggest investor, its investment in core infrastructure is limited. Meanwhile, China makes its presence felt.

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Passengers take selfies during a Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail ride in Indonesia in 2023. China’s focus on infrastructure and regional connectivity in Southeast Asia has had a profound impact. Photo: Xinhua
Open Questions series

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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29
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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Opinion | Trump’s targeting of China will only spur its economic recovery

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