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A BYD Atto 3 compact SUV. The Chinese carmaker accounted for roughly 90 per cent of Sri Lanka’s EV sales in May. Photo: BYD
Sri Lanka

How China’s ‘big winner’ BYD conquered Sri Lanka’s car market

After a five-year import ban, BYD shrewdly adapted its models to circumvent sky-high taxes, making electric vehicles affordable again.

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The Philippines

Beijing promised Manila billions in development aid. Why did it fall so short?

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The Philippines

Rating the Philippines’ new 19% tariff: ‘significant’ win or ‘worst insult’?

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh scrambles to avert devastating 35% US tariff

The proposed levy would strip Bangladesh of its price advantage over rivals like Vietnam, jeopardising livelihoods across the country.

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Garment workers at a garment factory on the outskirts of Dhaka. Bangladesh is the world’s second-biggest garment maker. Photo: AFP
Garment workers at a garment factory on the outskirts of Dhaka. Bangladesh is the world’s second-biggest garment maker. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Mother’s murder of daughter lays bare South Korea’s deepening debt crisis

A mother’s 15-year prison sentence for her daughter’s murder illustrates the extreme human cost of South Korea’s spiralling household debt.

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Malaysia

Malaysia unveils 100 ringgit handout, fuel subsidy to calm cost-of-living anger

All Malaysians aged 18 and over will receive a one-off payment next month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Wednesday.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s recurring tragedy: deadly boat fire fuels urgent reform calls

The fire off an island in Sulawesi, which killed at least five people, joins the list of boat disasters in Indonesia in recent years.

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The KM Barcelona 5 ferry after a fire broke out while on its way to Manado, Indonesia, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
The KM Barcelona 5 ferry after a fire broke out while on its way to Manado, Indonesia, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
India

How the India-UK trade deal could shape future pacts with the EU and US

Analysts say the free-trade deal, expected to be finalised this week, signals New Delhi’s shift away from protectionism.

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The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos to meet Trump in high-stakes trade talks as US tariff looms

The Philippine president could offer Trump military access and mineral rights in exchange for a lower US tariff, analysts say.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s dream of a ‘smart forest’ capital becomes a vice-ridden nightmare

Sex work, cockfighting and illegal gambing are rife in Indonesia’s planned capital city, officials say, raising doubts about its future.

Indonesia’s future capital city of Nusantara is seen under construction in July last year. Photo: AFP
Asean

Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility?

The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from tariffs and US-China trade tensions.

Asean and Gulf officials join hands for a group photo at the second Asean-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27. Photo: AFP
Asean and Gulf officials join hands for a group photo at the second Asean-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27. Photo: AFP
United States

Trump’s tariff deadline spurs frenzy among Asian countries to seal deals

While some countries could clinch trade deals with Trump before August 1, others may miss the deadline and face higher tariffs, analysts say.

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Indonesia

Will Indonesia lose out after Trump’s ‘landmark’ trade deal with Prabowo?

While Indonesia’s exports to the US will face a lower 19 per cent tariff, its farming sector could be adversely affected, analysts say.

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Indonesia

‘High-risk, high reward’: Indonesia urged to scrutinise Chinese investments

A new report calls for greater domestic accountability to ensure foreign investments work in Jakarta’s interest.

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A high-speed train on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, locally known as Whoosh, in Padalarang, Indonesia. Photo: Xinhua
India

India in a fix over Trump’s tariff threat aimed at Russian oil

If Russia fails to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, India fears that the tariff could cause a spike in oil prices, analysts say.

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Oil tanks belonging to Russian state-owned Transneft. About 35 per cent of India’s oil demand is met by Russian imports, an analyst says. Photo: dpa
Oil tanks belonging to Russian state-owned Transneft. About 35 per cent of India’s oil demand is met by Russian imports, an analyst says. Photo: dpa
Malaysia

Malaysia imposes trade permits for US-linked AI chip shipments

Latest move comes with Kuala Lumpur facing 25 per cent tariffs announced by US leader Donald Trump.

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China-Australia relations

China trade or Philippine defence ties? Why Australia attempts to balance both

While seeking stable ties with its largest trading partner, Australia must also ‘maintain credibility as a regional stabiliser’, analysts say.

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Tourism

Crypto kingdom: Bhutan goes all-in on bitcoin tourism

With over 1,000 vendors now accepting crypto payments, Bhutan is wagering on rapid adoption luring tech-savvy travellers and fuelling growth.

Bhutan is the world’s first nation to unveil a countrywide, government-backed system enabling visitors to pay for virtually every aspect of their stay using digital currencies. Photo: Marcus Westberg
Bhutan is the world’s first nation to unveil a countrywide, government-backed system enabling visitors to pay for virtually every aspect of their stay using digital currencies. Photo: Marcus Westberg
India

Trump’s Brics wrath: will India be caught out by tariff threat?

Trump’s remarks seem more like a warning to Brics and unlikely to affect India’s efforts to finalise a trade pact with the US, analysts say.

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Japan

Japan vows resistance to US tariffs, raising fears of lasting rift in alliance

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called it ‘a battle for our national interests’ as analysts warn of economic and security fallout.

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The Philippines

Philippines urged to ‘double down’ in talks over 20% tariff with Trump

Trump says the tariff on Philippine exports to the US is necessary to address what he calls Washington’s ‘unsustainable’ trade deficit.

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The Manila International Container Terminal in Manila. Philippine officials are heading to the US for trade talks after Washington announced a 20 per cent tariff on Philippine imports. Photo: Reuters
India

Beyond gold: India sees America’s bitcoin reserve – and eyes its own

While a ‘measured bitcoin strategy’ could boost India’s economic resilience, the country lacks a proper framework for cryptocurrencies, analysts say.

Bitcoins are a form of digital money outside the control of any one person, group or entity, and have been compared to the modern-day equivalent of a traditional asset such as gold. Photo: TNS
Bitcoins are a form of digital money outside the control of any one person, group or entity, and have been compared to the modern-day equivalent of a traditional asset such as gold. Photo: TNS
Indonesia

Bali named world’s second most crowded island – residents aren’t cheering

With more than 60,000 daily visitors arriving on the island, residents have complained about overcrowding and a housing shortage.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar to confront Rubio over US tariffs amid fears about 25% levy

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending an Asean summit – his first official visit to the region since Donald Trump’s return.

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Indonesia

‘Very optimistic’: Indonesia vows to press on with US talks despite 32% tariff

Analysts warn the room for negotiation is ‘very narrow’ and Jakarta must have a ‘strong bargaining chip’ to convince Trump.

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Stacks of cargo containers at the Jakarta International Container Terminal in Tanjung Priok Port on Monday. The US has decided to maintain 32 per cent tariffs on Indonesia. 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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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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