ARTICLES

22 Oct 2026

US Midterm Elections Serve as Bellwether for Southeast Asia

Stephen Olson

The Democrats are poised to gain control of the two houses of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. If this happens, there could be a glimmer of hope for Southeast Asian countries dependent on exporting to the vast US market.

21 Sep 2026

As Trump and Xi Prepare to Meet, What Should Southeast Asia be Watching?

Stephen Olson

The upcoming Trump-Xi summit will not settle any “Grand Bargain”, but what happens to the year-long US-China trade truce will have implications for Southeast Asia.

China-U.S. Relations Economy Southeast Asia Tariffs

18 Sep 2026

The Return of the Trump Tariffs: How Will Southeast Asian Firms Respond?

Jayant Menon

The Trump administration’s dogged determination to reintroduce tariffs on Southeast Asia should spur long-run measures to diversify markets and reduce reliance on the US.

ASEAN Economy Tariffs US

27 Aug 2026

Beijing’s Restraint on Indonesia-US Trade Deal Shows What Is Truly at Stake

Luna Ge Lai|Maria Monica Wihardja

A new Indonesia-US agreement on reciprocal trade is likely to harm China’s interests. But China’s response has so far been restrained, even though it is not without remedies in its toolbox.

China China-Indonesia Relations Indonesia Indonesia-US Relations Tariffs

19 Jun 2026

Malaysia Should Channel US Trade Representative Section 301 Pressure Into Forced Labour Compliance

Tham Siew Yean

Malaysia should take decisive action in response to the US’ tariff threat for failing to prohibit imports made with forced labour. Eliminating such imports is in everyone’s best interest.

Economy Malaysia Tariffs US

17 Apr 2026

Malaysia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Tariffs: Calm Before Another Storm?

Tham Siew Yean

Malaysia has declared the ART null and void while the US is deploying new tariff instruments, creating uncertainty over new agreements. Malaysia should rebalance lopsided terms – and reduce its exposure to the US market.

Malaysia Malaysia-US Relations Tariffs

24 Mar 2026

Iran War Holds Trade Implications for Southeast Asia

Stephen Olson

The economic fallout of the war, coupled with Trump’s self-preservation instincts, could induce a partial climbdown on tariffs—but Section 301 and other tariffs are under way and might endure.

Tariffs Trade US

9 Mar 2026

The Supreme Court and Trump’s Tariffs: Restrained or Resurgent?

Stephen Olson

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok-Aun speaks with Stephen Olson, Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, on the implications of the US Supreme Court declaring Trump’s IEEPA-based tariffs illegal.

Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia Tariffs Trade US

25 Feb 2026

Implications of the Supreme Court Tariff Ruling on Southeast Asia

Stephen Olson

The Supreme Court has struck down President Trump’s IEEPA reciprocal tariffs, but the practical outcome on Southeast Asia is likely to be negligible. Further complications arise from his reimposition of tariffs through other means and the potential political fallout in his party.

Tariffs Trade US

20 Nov 2025

Southeast Asian Countries Engaging in Export Circumvention: Not So Fast

Archanun Kohpaiboon|Ratchanon Ketramrit

The Trump administration has threatened to levy an additional 40 per cent reciprocal tariffs on transshipments to the US. The logic for doing this is not so clear cut.

China Economy Southeast Asia Tariffs Trade US