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This Week in Asia /

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US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP
Trade

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

India has already paused trade talks with Washington as other Asian nations are left to question the validity of their recent agreements.

Thailand

Thailand ‘buzzing’ with travel boom as Chinese tourists back in droves

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The Philippines

Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

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India

India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership

The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is seen as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

A container terminal at Mundra Port in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Photo: Reuters
A container terminal at Mundra Port in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Photo: Reuters
India

India AI summit aims to shift focus from model races to scaled reality

The event offers emerging economies a chance to reframe AI as public infrastructure and work together to put it into public services.

Indonesia

Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?

The package, which includes fare cuts and food handouts, is meant to keep people travelling and shopping, and help shore up early-growth momentum.

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Cambodia

Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war

Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.

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Cambodian migrant workers cross from Thailand into Cambodia at the Ban Laem checkpoint in Chanthaburi on July 28, 2025. At least 20,000 people were estimated to be returning to Cambodia amid fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border around that time despite reported peace talks. Photo: dpa
Cambodian migrant workers cross from Thailand into Cambodia at the Ban Laem checkpoint in Chanthaburi on July 28, 2025. At least 20,000 people were estimated to be returning to Cambodia amid fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border around that time despite reported peace talks. Photo: dpa
Japan

Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back

New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions.

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Indonesia

Crude business for Indonesia amid West’s squeeze on Russian oil

Analysts say Indonesia’s energy demand could draw scrutiny as Moscow seeks new buyers, potentially complicating US trade talks.

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Indonesia

Why Indonesia’s US$1.67 billion China-backed dam is in limbo

Even energy regulators were kept in the dark about the abrupt crackdown that has spooked renewables investors.

The Batang Toru hydroelectric project in Sumatra, Indonesia, has prompted concerns from environmentalists. Photo: Handout
South Korea

Why do South Korea’s Hallyu heroes find taxes so … taxing?

As K-culture conquers the world, its wealthy stars keep falling foul of a tax system ‘that has not yet fully caught up’.

South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho stars in the Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?”. Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix
South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho stars in the Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?”. Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix
UAE

‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown

With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.

The Philippines

Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line

The US$30 billion outsourcing sector is fighting to adapt, leaving millions of workers with a stark choice: upskill or be left behind.

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The Philippines

Philippines flood fund theft of ‘people’s money’ forces tax rethink

Abolishing the much maligned travel tax is a good start but the whole system needs an overhaul, critics say.

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Protesters, one wearing a mask of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, take part in an anti-corruption protest in Manila, the Philippines, on November 30, 2025. Photo: AP
India

India pushes for domestic weapons manufacture with French jet purchase

Around 80 per cent of the fleet will be assembled in India, with parts being progressively made in the country.

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Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets perform a fly past during the country’s 77th Republic Day parade on January 26. Photo: AFP
Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets perform a fly past during the country’s 77th Republic Day parade on January 26. Photo: AFP
Scams and swindles

More Southeast Asian human trafficking gangs use crypto to move illegal funds

The transactions are linked to activities such as forced labour recruited by scammers and international escort services, a report says.

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Singapore

Singapore set for US$12 billion surplus as Wong unveils AI ambitions in budget

PM Lawrence Wong says while defence spending will be kept at about 3 per cent of GDP, Singapore is prepared to spend more if the need arises.

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Malaysia

Malaysia courts US to climb critical minerals value chain, keeps raw export ban

Analysts say Kuala Lumpur wants US capital and technology without being drawn into the US-China minerals rivalry.

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A worker walks inside the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Gebeng, Pahang. Malaysia says it aims to expand downstream processing of rare earths rather than export raw materials. Photo: Reuters
A worker walks inside the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Gebeng, Pahang. Malaysia says it aims to expand downstream processing of rare earths rather than export raw materials. Photo: Reuters
Japan

‘Job terrorism’: 1 in 4 workplaces in Japan victims of employee pranks

Psychologists say the quest for online clout is driving the rise in ‘meaningless’ workplace pranks, also known as part-time job terrorism.

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Japan

Japan’s wage squeeze undermines Takaichi’s ‘trickle down’ plans

Fresh labour ministry figures show the cost of living crisis is deepening, as inflation continues to outpace salary increases for workers.

China Conference: Southeast Asia

Ambassador urges ‘shared prosperity’ in China-Asean ties as protectionism grows

Wang Qing says both sides should uphold multilateralism and oppose external interference, even as Asean members seek trade deals with US.

Wang Qing, China’s ambassador to Asean, at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
China Conference: Southeast Asia

Indonesia on track for 10% growth by 2029, energy envoy Hashim says

The figure will be beyond Prabowo’s 8 per cent target, Hashim says, as he credits the president’s ‘iron will’ in overcoming bureaucracy and corruption.

Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesia’s climate and energy envoy, at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesia’s climate and energy envoy, at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
China Conference: Southeast Asia

Asean urged to rewrite trade rule book as US turns transactional

The US and China are the top two trading partners for Asean but it is questionable how long that status quo will last, observers say.

China Conference: Southeast Asia

Indonesia’s economy tipped to gain from deeper mainland China, Hong Kong ties

Increased investments and lessons learned from improving capital markets could help Indonesia as it ‘opens shop’, insiders and observers say.

China Conference: Southeast Asia

Profits, not politics: Danantara Indonesia chief vows to keep fund professional

Chief Investment Officer Pandu Sjahrir is committed to operating the fund with transparency – even if he has to say no to the government.

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Danantara Indonesia Chief Investment Officer Pandu Sjahrir speaks at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
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