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Rajiv Biswas

The latest news and top stories on Rajiv Biswas, CEO of Asia-Pacific Economics. Known for his extensive experience as a professional economist, he is also executive director and Asia-Pacific chief economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. He has a background in country risk analysis and has held senior roles at The Economist Group and UBS. His work involves macroeconomic analysis and geopolitical risk assessments for the Asia-Pacific region. Key accomplishments include authoring several books on Asian and emerging market megatrends and frequently speaking at global economic forums. He believes the US will remain a major scrap copper exporter.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ shipbuilding factory near Dejima port in Nagasaki bay in Japan. Photo: Shutterstock

China shipbuilding

China’s grip on global ship repair worries Japan. Can Tokyo end its dependence?

Tokyo’s new industrial strategy reflects growing concern over economic security amid frayed bilateral ties with Beijing, analysts say.

1 Jul 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

23 May 2026 - 6:45AMvideocam

Asia travel

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

14 Apr 2026 - 12:10PMvideocam

China trade

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

3 Mar 2026 - 11:36PMvideocam

Smoke rises over Tehran after US and Israeli strikes on March 1. The growing conflict in the Middle East is disrupting shipping flows, affecting China’s imports of key materials. Photo: Getty Images

China energy security

Can China’s cheap, renewable energy help it outrun the US in the AI race?

China’s energy buildout means cheap, green and reliable electricity fuels its manufacturing and tech industries, giving it an edge over rivals.

14 Jan 2026 - 9:14AMvideocam

China trade

Will Trump’s Iran tariffs send China searching for new oil sources?

Analysts urge China to protect strategic interests abroad after unexpected announcement, which is likely to push up oil import costs.

13 Jan 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China trade

Japan firms seen ‘stockpiling’ rare earths as Tokyo looks to G7 amid China row

Amid fears of potential mineral export curbs by Beijing, Japanese industry is bracing, and Tokyo appears keen on a united international response.

12 Jan 2026 - 10:14PMvideocam

Japan’s finance minister said she would attend a G7 gathering in Washington on Monday with the “risk of a rare-earth-supply interruption from China in mind”. Photo: Getty Images

China trade

Battle for China’s durian market gets even juicier as Laos enters the fray

Laos could present a real challenge to other players in China’s vast durian market due to its low costs and logistical advantages.

18 Dec 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

China trade

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

5 Dec 2025 - 1:04AMvideocam

China trade

China sellers brace as EU moves to tighten rules on low-value parcels, as US did

Merchants warn that margins will be squeezed, consumer prices may rise, and firms may shift markets as compliance costs and customs hits bite cross-border trade.

14 Nov 2025 - 11:00PMvideocam

The European Commission said that 91 per cent of all e-commerce shipments valued under €150 (US$174) came from China last year. Photo: Getty Images

Rare earths

Baotou set to become China’s rare earth hub under Inner Mongolia’s 10-year plan

Initiatives include a boost to mining, refining and magnet production to supply new-energy industry and global markets while firms and nations race to diversify.

13 Nov 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Inner Mongolia’s second-largest city, Baotou (pictured), has plans to become a world-leading hub for critical materials. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

Boeing picks Mandarin-speaking ex-White House adviser to lead China business

American aviation giant faces headwinds in China, where trade war and safety concerns have led airlines to consider rivals.

25 Oct 2025 - 7:30PM

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

US-China trade war

Soybeans: China’s new bargaining chip in trade war with US?

Beijing seen holding a lot of cards in trade negotiations with Washington, while US treasury secretary says next round of talks should ‘show a pretty big breakthrough’.

3 Oct 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

A farmer handles soybeans from a field in the US state of Indiana last month. Analysts suggest soybeans could be a bargaining chip for Beijing in negotiations with Washington. Photo: AP

US-China trade war

From Intel to lithium, Trump borrows Beijing’s industry playbook in US-China race

Supply chain fears are driving Washington’s investments in chips and rare earths, but analysts cast doubt on the strategy.

25 Sep 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump gestures while he boards Air Force One, as he departs for New York at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on September 11. Photo: Reuters

China trade

Malaysia flexes rare earth muscle as mineral-hungry US seeks non-Chinese sources

Kuala Lumpur’s new ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals reflects how Malaysia is carving out its own path in the rare earth supply chain.

23 Aug 2025 - 10:00AM

China trade

China launches anti-dumping investigation into imports of Canadian pea starch

The latest tit-for-tat trade move comes after Canada imposed tariffs targeting Chinese steel last month.

12 Aug 2025 - 8:30PM

US-China trade war

Why America’s brute-force effort on rare earths may not work against China

China spent decades carving out a commanding lead in the rare earth realm. Now the US wants its old piece of the supply chain back – is it still within reach?

6 Aug 2025 - 10:14AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Trump’s copper tariffs fail to stop US metal being shipped to China

The president wants to use tariffs to revive the US copper industry. But American dealers are still sending shiploads of metal to Asia.

25 Jul 2025 - 9:30PMvideocam

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Rajiv Biswas

China’s grip on global ship repair worries Japan. Can Tokyo end its dependence?

Tokyo’s new industrial strategy reflects growing concern over economic security amid frayed bilateral ties with Beijing, analysts say.

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

Can China’s cheap, renewable energy help it outrun the US in the AI race?

China’s energy buildout means cheap, green and reliable electricity fuels its manufacturing and tech industries, giving it an edge over rivals.

Will Trump’s Iran tariffs send China searching for new oil sources?

Analysts urge China to protect strategic interests abroad after unexpected announcement, which is likely to push up oil import costs.

Japan firms seen ‘stockpiling’ rare earths as Tokyo looks to G7 amid China row

Amid fears of potential mineral export curbs by Beijing, Japanese industry is bracing, and Tokyo appears keen on a united international response.

Battle for China’s durian market gets even juicier as Laos enters the fray

Laos could present a real challenge to other players in China’s vast durian market due to its low costs and logistical advantages.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

China sellers brace as EU moves to tighten rules on low-value parcels, as US did

Merchants warn that margins will be squeezed, consumer prices may rise, and firms may shift markets as compliance costs and customs hits bite cross-border trade.

Baotou set to become China’s rare earth hub under Inner Mongolia’s 10-year plan

Initiatives include a boost to mining, refining and magnet production to supply new-energy industry and global markets while firms and nations race to diversify.

Boeing picks Mandarin-speaking ex-White House adviser to lead China business

American aviation giant faces headwinds in China, where trade war and safety concerns have led airlines to consider rivals.

‘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.

Soybeans: China’s new bargaining chip in trade war with US?

Beijing seen holding a lot of cards in trade negotiations with Washington, while US treasury secretary says next round of talks should ‘show a pretty big breakthrough’.

From Intel to lithium, Trump borrows Beijing’s industry playbook in US-China race

Supply chain fears are driving Washington’s investments in chips and rare earths, but analysts cast doubt on the strategy.

Malaysia flexes rare earth muscle as mineral-hungry US seeks non-Chinese sources

Kuala Lumpur’s new ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals reflects how Malaysia is carving out its own path in the rare earth supply chain.

China launches anti-dumping investigation into imports of Canadian pea starch

The latest tit-for-tat trade move comes after Canada imposed tariffs targeting Chinese steel last month.

Why America’s brute-force effort on rare earths may not work against China

China spent decades carving out a commanding lead in the rare earth realm. Now the US wants its old piece of the supply chain back – is it still within reach?

Trump’s copper tariffs fail to stop US metal being shipped to China

The president wants to use tariffs to revive the US copper industry. But American dealers are still sending shiploads of metal to Asia.

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade