China’s extensive investments in Southeast Asia have delivered mixed results, underscoring the importance of policies that promote productivity, positive spillovers, and innovation.
Author Archives: chahaewon
Why Importing More Will Not Save Thailand from Trump’s Tariffs
Thailand is trying to increase imports from the US to tackle the challenge posed by new US tariffs slapped on Thailand. This is unlikely to significantly improve Thailand’s position.
Indonesia’s Food Estates: Why Poor Public Policy Persists
Indonesia’s presidents keep trying to make food estates work but the scheme will fall short without engaging the true stakeholders and honestly assessing the project’s merits.
Trump’s Tariff Reversal: An Opportunity for Trade Realignment in Southeast Asia
As trade policy takes a volatile turn under the US leader, ASEAN can seize the moment to diversify global partnerships and assert a stronger voice in the international trade order.
Will Trump Maintain the East Asian Power Balance?
Interpreting the US’ intentions for East and Southeast Asia, given the uncertainty unleashed by the present American leadership, is challenging but necessary. At stake is nothing less than the region’s strategic balance.
Vietnam Navigates Trump’s Trade Headwinds: Making Virtue Out of Necessity
Vietnam has been navigating the potential trade headwinds from the second Trump administration with pragmatism and opportunism, aligning with Trump’s transactional approach. The focus has been on fostering corporate partnerships, framing Vietnam-US economic ties as win-win instead of virtue-signalling on free trade.
ASEAN’s Image Fades but Expectations Remain High
Southeast Asians welcome a strengthening of ASEAN’s political and economic influence, which has relatively declined in the past year. ASEAN must adapt and assert itself to restore confidence.
Myanmar’s Military Regime is Violating its International Economic Obligations
Myanmar’s violations of its international economic obligations contribute to inflation and increasingly impoverish the country’s population. They also threaten to diminish the impact of financial assistance for Myanmar’s recent earthquake.
Migrant Agriculture Workers: Potential Resource for Southeast Asia’s Food-resilient Future
Farm labourers returning from overseas can, if empowered, form a pool of experienced talent that Southeast Asia’s vulnerable agricultural sector can tap into for food security.
The Two-Term Limit on Prime Ministerial Tenures: Timely and Tantalising
PM Anwar Ibrahim supports a term limit on Malaysia’s premiership. Momentum for reform under his administration has been limited, and such a measure would rekindle support among the urban electorate. If Anwar spearheads the change, few may begrudge him a bid for a second term.