PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. secured over $21 billion in investment pledges from US companies during his official visit to Washington. “We return to the Philippines with over $21 billion in inve…
Economy
Malaysia secures over RM63b investments under National Semiconductor Strategy
Malaysia has secured over RM63 billion worth of semiconductor investments under its National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) as of March 2025, less than a year after its launch in May 2024. Of the total,…
Trump reaches trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that they have agreed to a trade deal that will include a 15% tariff on all U.S. imports from Japan. As part of the tr…
Asia under pressure in responding to Trump’s trade war chaos
Trump’s Liberation Day deferral doesn’t let up the damage to global trade flows and economies, as the uncertainty stalls investment decisions, deal-making and weakens risk appetite. Trump’s tariff the…
ASEAN Should Demand Equal Market Access from EU and China as Malaysia Strengthens Ties With Bloc
In efforts to safeguard its regional trade stability amid rising global protectionism, an analyst believes that ASEAN must demand reciprocal market access from major trading partners such as the Europ…
Geopolitical Chess: China’s Mediation Role in Thailand-Cambodia Dispute and Its Impact on Southeast Asian Infrastructure & Defense
The simmering Thailand-Cambodia border dispute has reignited geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia, with China positioning itself as a pivotal mediator. While the conflict’s immediate cause—di…
Bangladesh’s economic prospects discussed at Swiss-hosted business meet
Key representatives from Bangladesh’s business community joined a discussion on the country’s macroeconomic outlook, financial sector challenges, and investment opportunities at a breakfast meeting ho…
New US tariffs target Asia, but some countries stand to gain
President Trump’s new tariffs are higher than expected for most Asian economies. Moreover, most countries will face additional tariff rates on transshipments. The new announcements are silent on Singa…
Tariffquake: Why Bangladesh economy must diversify or fall
Over 800 export-oriented enterprises in Bangladesh are considered to be at “high risk” following the 35 percent reciprocal tariff imposed by the US. VISUAL: REUTERS It hasn’t been just a tremor;…
Beyond US-ASEAN Bilateral Outreach
In early July 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarked on a landmark journey to Southeast Asia, choosing Malaysia as his first stop in the Indo‑Pacific region. From July 8 to 12, Rubio took …