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Nick Marro

(馬志昂)

Nick Marro

馬志昂

The latest news and top stories on Nick Marro, Principal Economist for Asia at the Economist Intelligence Unit. He specialises in analysing Asia’s regional economics political developments and international trade policy. His expertise includes the US-China trade war, global supply chains and digital trade. Previously he conducted trade policy research with the US-China Business Council in Beijing.

An assembly line at the Chinese automaker JAC Motors plant in Ciudad Sahagun, Mexico. The Alliance for American Manufacturing said that China is trying to "infiltrate" the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

China accused of trying to ‘infiltrate’ US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement

The Alliance for American Manufacturing says China is trying to circumvent the USMCA through its automotive investments in Mexico.

2 Jul 2026 - 8:00PM

China trade

After US-Iran deal, tanking oil prices, analysts see ‘grey area’ for China firms

15 Jun 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

US-China trade war

‘Utterly absurd’: China and EU push back on US forced labour tariff claims

4 Jun 2026 - 9:54PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

Beijing and Washington are locked in an era-defining contest – and China’s rapid technological progress raises questions about limits of containment.

12 May 2026 - 9:34AMvideocam

China-Australia relations

China’s fight for Darwin Port could help fragile Sino-Australian relations

Landbridge Group’s legal claim over the port could take several years to resolve, analysts said, providing more time for dialogue.

5 May 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

China energy security

China’s trade with Iran, Gulf states plunges as Hormuz crisis hits energy flows

But increased shipments from Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia help to partially offset the shortfall, official data shows.

20 Apr 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

Semiconductors

Chip, AI talent race heats up as Taiwan tightens crackdown on alleged poaching

The latest probes are part of Taiwan’s crackdown on mainland Chinese talent poaching, with 100 cases handled since 2020, according to MJIB.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:08AM

Technicians work on chip processing equipment at a semiconductor manufacturing plant in Suqian,
Jiangsu province, in October. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

China-EU trade ties are at a crossroads. Could tech bridge the divide?

A hostile Washington is creating openings for a reset – but deep-seated issues remain, analyst says.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:10PMvideocam

US-China relations

As Bessent tips next US-China trade talks, analysts see Trump-Xi meeting prep

Treasury Secretary Bessent confirms preparations for high-level dialogue, with analysts expecting a focus on specific transactional wins over a relationship reset.

10 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-Australia relations

Why China ties make Darwin Port a bigger test for Australia than Panama

Legal constraints and stronger Beijing-Canberra relations among factors limiting Albanese administration’s options, analysts say.

3 Feb 2026 - 1:58PMvideocam

Beijing has pledged to step in if Canberra commits to regaining control of Darwin Port in northern Australia, which is leased to a Chinese firm. Photo: Handout

US-China trade war

After Xi-Trump talks, lack of a chip deal seen as tech-independence issue

Progress on other contentious points during presidential meeting masks ongoing US-China tensions over technological sovereignty and export controls, analysts say.

31 Oct 2025 - 4:38PMvideocam

There did not appear to be a deal made on the semiconductor trade between the United States and China during talks on Thursday between presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China trade war

Why US-China trade talks in Malaysia are key to paving way for Xi-Trump summit

Analysts say both sides have leverage to wield, and the cards they play could fuel or de-escalate tensions.

23 Oct 2025 - 11:22PM

US-China trade war

The squeeze is on: Beijing and Washington flex muscles as narrative war heats up

With both sides seeking leverage, US frames flare-up as ‘China versus the world’ but finds itself accused of adopting ‘double standard’.

17 Oct 2025 - 12:22AM

US-China trade war

‘Tit-for-tat response’? Why China unleashed fresh sanction, export curb blitz

Beijing and Washington are ratcheting up sanctions and export controls to gain leverage ahead of crucial negotiations, analysts said.

10 Oct 2025 - 11:00PM

Beijing has expanded its export controls over rare earth elements and several other key products, with analysts saying the move was likely a response to US moves targeting China. Photo: Reuters

Japan

‘Mixed bag’: how Japan’s PM-in-waiting may fuel growth, defence – and debt

After the ruling Liberal Democratic Party elects new leader, economists assess what lies ahead.

6 Oct 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Newly-elected Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi celebrates after winning the LDP leadership election on Saturday. Photo: TNS

China trade

China sanctions 6 US firms as tensions boil over trade, TikTok sale

US firms handed punitive trade restrictions in advance of high-profile meeting between leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

25 Sep 2025 - 6:49PM

Rare earths

Is a rumoured US rare earth fund coming too late to catch up with China?

A reported US$5 billion fund to secure Washington’s rare earth supply is probably not enough to shake China’s dominance, analysts said.

21 Oct 2025 - 10:30PM

US-China trade war

US-China trade talks signal shift that could reshape global order: analysts

Future negotiations could take place against a more fragmented backdrop, as the superpowers vie for influence over third countries.

31 Jul 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

US and China flags printed on pawns on a chessboard. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China trade war

Fentanyl likely on US-China trade agenda after long absence: analysts

While the drug was not mentioned publicly after earlier negotiations, recent comments suggest the topic could come back into the spotlight.

18 Jul 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

China economy

China’s economic crunch may just be delayed

Above-target growth from the first half of the year will be difficult to maintain as China faces risks from trade tensions, front-loaded exports and diminishing returns from stimulus.

15 Jul 2025 - 5:00PM

US-China trade war

China must ‘play the long game’ with trade partners as US bullies, analysts say

Moving beyond strongly worded warnings, Beijing is seen embracing a more pragmatic approach, steeling itself ahead of more talks with Washington.

11 Jul 2025 - 9:00PM

Improved trade agreements between China and Asean members could help offset the impact of US tariffs. Photo: EPA

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