US trade reset redraws Asia’s strategic map
Washington’s new tariff schedule lowers duties on Vietnam, Indonesia, and others while unexpectedly raising rates on the Philippines, redrawing Asia’s trade dynamics.
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Trump to attend ASEAN summit after call with Malaysian PM
Trump’s attendance would mark the first time a Republican president has attended an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders’ meeting, following several years of lower-level US representation.
South Korea targets lunar base, deep space missions by 2045
The strategy, presented at a national hearing in Daejeon, central South Korea, on 17 July, forms part of the KASA roadmap, introduced in 2024 as an agenda item for the Korean National Space Council.
Singapore-US tariff talks stall, as ASEAN peers gain ground
The lack of movement in the US contrasts with the global economic superpower's ongoing engagement with Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, which are reportedly in early-stage talks on tariff exemptions under the same regime.
BRICS future up for debate after Xi, Putin no-shows
French economist Thomas Piketty urged Western powers to take BRICS seriously, given its rising economic weight. He noted the bloc has surpassed the G7 in purchasing power parity, accounting for more than 32% of global GDP.
Thai-Cambodian ceasefire holds despite border flare-up
The ceasefire was negotiated in Malaysia after 5 days of deadly clashes that killed at least 43 people and displaced over 300,000. Although the agreement was declared “immediate and unconditional”, field commanders on both sides reported violations within hours.
Thai-Cambodian clashes killed 16, displaced 120,000 before UN intervened
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened a closed-door session on 25 July at Cambodia’s request, in response to what became Southeast Asia’s most severe interstate conflict in over a decade.
Vietnam PM warns regional leaders over local gov’t overhaul
Vietnam's new mega-provinces are now responsible for inter-regional planning, taxation, infrastructure and social services. Provincial party leaderships have also been reshuffled.
Malaysia tightens US AI chip exports amid China scrutiny
“This is a safeguard to protect Malaysia’s status as a responsible trade partner,” the ministry said in a statement issued on 14 July. “Firms found violating these controls will face legal action.”
Philippine digitalisation push exceeds payment targets, expands rural outreach
The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology said it had deployed 2,655 free public Wi-Fi sites across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (i.e. nationwide) under its Broadband ng Masa programme. The scheme targets geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
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Singapore cyberattack on critical infrastructure attributed to China-linked hackers
What makes UNC3886 particularly dangerous is its ability to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities. These are software flaws unknown to its vendor and for which no patch yet exists, making them especially valuable and dangerous for attackers.
ASEAN responds to Trump tariffs in wake of Rubio visit
Southeast Asia (SEA) governments are seeking clarification and concessions after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first official visit to the region, which followed the Trump administration’s decision to issue new tariff notices to nearly all ASEAN countries.
EU, Indonesia strike trade deal
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto described the deal as a win for economic sovereignty. “We agreed to deepen the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA to open up greater opportunities for sustainable trade and investment in the country,” Subianto wrote on Facebook.
Rubio in Kuala Lumpur as ASEAN tariffs clock ticks
According to a White House press release, Rubio’s trip aims to highlight the strength of the US’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN and to reaffirm the commitment to building on the Comprehensive Partnership with Malaysia.
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ASEAN governments urged to close policy gaps as startup ecosystems stall
ASEAN's uneven performance reflects structural problems, including talent constraints, uncoordinated capital flows and a lack of cross-border regulatory support.
Vietnam turns to chips, EVs to stay ahead in investment race
Rising labour costs and growing competition from neighbours are threatening Vietnam's long-standing position as Southeast Asia’s top manufacturing hub.
ASEAN countries, UK deepen defence, crime prevention ties
Signed in 1971, the FPDA links Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the UK in a consultative defence framework that allows for joint military exercises, intelligence-sharing and operational coordination.
ASEAN economies should look to CEE to escape middle-income trap - ex-finance minister
Bambang Brodjonegoro, dean of the ADB’s Tokyo-based think tank, said Southeast Asia’s largest middle-income economies are at risk of long-term stagnation as demographic advantages fade and productivity growth stalls.
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New nickel corridor connects Indonesia with France, CEE
As Indonesia asserts control over its vast nickel reserves, a new supply route is forming between Southeast Asia (SEA) and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). France and Hungary are emerging as key European partners in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, linking mineral extraction in Indonesia to battery production in
Macron inks defence, aviation deals on SEA tour
French President Emmanuel Macron called France “a power that respects its partners” during his 25-29 May tour of Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore, when he promoted his country as a strategic partner for Southeast Asia (SEA) amid growing US-China rivalry. The trip focused on trade, defence and clean energy cooperation, as
ESG reporting faces regulatory expansion mixed with political resistance in 2025
The landscape of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting is shifting in 2025 as regulatory mandates grow more stringent globally, even while political pushback intensifies in parts of the world, and most notably the US. The regulatory trend is clear. Governments and oversight bodies are moving to standardise and enforce
Thai PM delays casino bill review amid protests
Thailand’s Entertainment Complex (EC) bill, which includes provisions to legalise casinos, has been delayed as Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra deemed it unready for cabinet review. Speaking to reporters outside Government House on Tuesday, she said the government must consider all stakeholders’ views before the bill moves forward. A
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Trump nominates political appointee to be US ambassador to Singapore
US President Donald Trump has nominated entrepreneur Anji Sinha as his pick for the next US ambassador to Singapore, one of its key diplomatic postings in Asia, following his return to the White House in January. Little is publicly known about Dr Sinha, who has no discernible online presence or
UN report sees progress, areas of concern, in sustainable development goals report
Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore have made significant advances in economic development and infrastructure, efforts on sustainability and equality targets remain uneven, the United Nations’ ESCAP 2025 SDG (sustainable development goals) Progress Report found. Thailand leads the trio in overall SDG achievement and ranks first in ASEAN, which is comprised of
Malaysian economy slowed to 5% in Q4
Malaysia is taking a proactive approach to economic growth and trade, balancing its global partnerships while maintaining a non-aligned stance in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. As Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government pursued new trade agreements, economic growth slowed to 5% in the fourth quarter of 2024, raising
Singapore gov't backs pressured SMEs
Singapore’s business environment is set to face multiple challenges in 2025, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) expecting continued pressure from rising costs and declining productivity. Meanwhile, the Singapore Exchange is undergoing a leadership shake-up as it seeks to revive its struggling equities market. Economic forecasts have been adjusted
Singapore’s outlook: growth, uncertainty
Singapore’s economic outlook for 2025 presents a mixed picture, with steady growth tempered by uncertainty as the government prepares a crucial budget ahead of the next election. Analysts view the upcoming fiscal plan as a defining test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership, with expectations that it will
Malaysia reaffirms Petronas’ contract commitments as trade strategy evolves
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has assured that state-owned oil company Petronas will uphold all its contractual obligations with Sarawak’s Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) in Parliament on 17 February, addressing concerns over the companies’ ongoing negotiations. Petronas will "maintain all existing domestic and international contractual obligations", Anwar
Thai economy grew 3.2% in final quarter
Thailand’s economy grew 3.2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, falling short of projections, as sluggish private investment and slower government spending weighed on growth. Analysts warn that trade tensions and global uncertainties could pose further challenges in 2025, prompting calls for government stimulus measures to sustain
Thai PM backs Songkhla as new tourism hub
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has visited the country’s southern provinces, promising new investments and infrastructure projects as part of its levelling-up agenda. The Thai premier met local leaders in Phatthalung and Songkhla to discuss flood management and economic development. She wrote on Facebook that her government is “ready