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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Diplomacy

Opinion | As Trump rides roughshod over trade, China is ready to pick up the pieces

China’s message of stable cooperation is resonating as Trump accelerates the birth of a post-US world with rising powers independent of US whims.

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Asean

Asian Angle | How Asean can turn short-term tariff pain into long-term gain

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US-China trade war

Opinion | Time for China to align with nations like it’s 1955

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Asean

Opinion | Asean must see US tariff pause for what it is – a trade hostage crisis

By pausing tariffs instead of repealing them, Trump creates the illusion of flexibility while retaining coercive leverage.

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US President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth look on during a cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10 in Washington. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth look on during a cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10 in Washington. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Macroscope | A world economy on the brink could use some win-win cooperation

With a global financial crisis looming, governments are left with few options beyond bracing for what’s to come and working together.

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China-Philippines relations

Asian Angle | Why ignoring China’s Southeast Asia pivot could cost the Philippines

Beijing’s focus on regional stability and trade openness presents both challenges and opportunities that Manila can’t afford to overlook.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China showcases its neighbourhood diplomacy across Southeast Asia

President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia highlighted China’s commitment to fostering regional harmony.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Pope Francis

Outside In | Why the next pope may be Asian or African

The centre of faith is moving away from the West, a shift that could add impetus to the late pope’s reforms.

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Malaysia

My Take | As US tariffs put jobs on the line, can Malaysia afford to cut petrol subsidies?

With US tariff uncertainty jeopardising Malaysian jobs, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must weigh the necessity of slashing subsidies.

Singapore general election 2025

Opinion | Can the PAP stem a rising opposition tide in Singapore’s election?

Long-term trends favour the opposition, but a fresh approach and focus on global affairs could boost the PAP’s mandate.

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Supporters of the opposition Workers Party in red and the ruling People’s Action Party in white wave flags in support of their political party at a nomination centre in Singapore on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
South China Sea

Opinion | Beijing’s approach to South China Sea tensions: reduce now, resolve later

While focusing on economic links, China is open to negotiating with rival claimants as long as actors outside the region aren’t involved.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Illustration: Craig Stephens
North Korea

Opinion | North Korea’s deepening military alliance with Russia should worry China

While China presents a united front with North Korea and Russia, the latter two growing closer puts Beijing’s own interests and influence at risk.

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Asean

Opinion | Could Asean help jump-start US-China trade negotiations?

The bloc’s summit involving dialogue partners is an ideal space for the US and China to talk, but time is of the essence.

United States

Macroscope | IMF’s tariff warnings may be too little, too late

The Trump administration has brought the world to the brink of a systemic financial and economic crisis.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivers a speech ahead of next week’s World Bank Group and IMF 2025 spring meetings, at the IMF headquarters in Washington on April 17. Photo: EPA-EFE
Diplomacy

Opinion | A world on edge is headed for a geopolitical reckoning – in May

Lasting changes could arise from the Trump vs Xi diplomatic chess, EU’s emerging strategy and political flux in Seoul, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Illustration: Craig Stephens
United States

Opinion | Trump’s bullying raises the prospect of a US gone rogue

The US president’s chaotic approach is not restricted to trade and could throw the rules-based international order into crisis.

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Australia

Opinion | Trump tariff shock should jolt Australia into standing on its own

Breaking away from its long-time ally will be painful for Canberra, but Washington has already taken the first irreversible step.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | As US retreats, Asian powers can reshape world order to meet their needs

Global South countries, tired of bearing the costs of globalisation, are asserting their economic visions.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Diplomacy

Opinion | As Xi Jinping visits Malaysia, lessons from the Ming dynasty could be useful

Trump’s trade war and his imperialistic rhetoric should prompt the Global South to unite in favour of an approach that prioritises engagement.

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Asia housing and property

The View | Asian real estate in a Trumpian age: buy Japan and India, avoid China?

While China might be fertile ground for experienced investors, Japan and India have more of the stability and fundamentals markets demand.

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Japan

Opinion | Will Trump’s economic tsunami undermine the US-Japan security partnership?

Tariff shocks have eroded the tentative confidence that the alliance was on a strong footing under Trump’s second administration.

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US President Donald Trump meets Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington, US, on February 7. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | How China can help Bangladesh escape India’s foreign policy grip

The 15 years of Hasina government saw Bangladesh draw closer to India but for the next stage of greater regional integration, it needs China.

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A train is pictured during a trial run along the newly-constructed Belt and Road Initiative rail line via the China-built Padma Bridge in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 7, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
A train is pictured during a trial run along the newly-constructed Belt and Road Initiative rail line via the China-built Padma Bridge in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 7, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
Vietnam

Asian Angle | The ‘Tariff Man’ cometh: Vietnam’s misplaced faith in Trump 2.0

Hanoi was once confident in navigating a second Trump term. Now it faces the harsh reality of his trade policies eating into economic growth.

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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

The Trump administration has not spared India from tariff war escalations, and New Delhi is struggling to hedge beyond the US.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a photo call during the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia on October 23, 2024. Photo: AFP
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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4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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32
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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