On the surface, it appears that Vietnam’s securing of lower tariffs from the US could make it more competitive than its regional rivals. A deeper examination shows that this might not be the case.
Author Archives: chahaewon
Rubio’s Reassurances to ASEAN Ring Hollow
US Secretary of State came to Malaysia with well-crafted words about the importance of ASEAN, but his rhetoric is undermined by Washington’s protectionist trade policies.
A ‘Reverse Nixon’ Attempt by Trump? A Chinese View
In 1972, US President Nixon forged ties with China to counter the Soviet Union; will – or can – President Trump do the reverse today by aligning with Russia against China?
Caught in the Crossfire: Vietnam and the Chinese Transshipment Dilemma
Vietnam is caught in the middle as the US seeks to clamp down on China using it as a backdoor into the American market.
The 2016 South China Sea Ruling at Nine: Where Does ASEAN Stand?
Nine years after an international arbitral tribunal ruled in the Philippines’ favour against China on the two parties’ disputed claims in the South China Sea, there are some glimmers of a more coherent – but still imperfect and incomplete – ASEAN position on the hotspot issue.
Data Centres, Energy Demand and Sustainability: Can Malaysia Strike the Right Balance?
Malaysia’s ambitions to be a digital powerhouse demand urgent consideration of rapidly increasing energy demands. Based on current figures, Malaysia appears to have overcommitted to data centre expansion, especially in Johor, without sufficiently robust sustainability guidelines in place.
Chinese F&B Brands: Smaller Slice of Market for Thai Eateries?
Chinese brands are rapidly expanding in Thailand, with increased capital, tax incentives, and scalability, putting more pressure on local F&B businesses.
Paetongtarn’s Suspension Spells the Collapse of Her Government
Following her suspension as prime minister, the writing is on the wall for Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra and what remains of her ruling coalition.
How Social Media Fuelled Dedi Mulyadi’s Rise and Prospects for Indonesia’s 2029 Elections
While it is early days yet, might West Java’s highly popular new governor feature in Indonesia’s next presidential race?
The Vietnam War and US Security Policy on the Asia-Pacific
The region’s security architecture is evolving in the wake of the Trump Administration’s pressure tactics on US allies and partners. An articulation of doctrine would be helpful but may not be forthcoming.