The Diplomat | Author
James Guild
James Guild is an expert in trade, finance, and economic development in Southeast Asia.
James Guild is an Assistant Professor at the Indonesian International Islamic University where he teaches in the Masters of Public Policy on Climate Change program. His research focuses on trade, finance, energy and economic development in Southeast Asia. Follow him on twitter @jamesjguild, or contact him at www.jamesjguild.com or through his faculty profile.
June 11, 2025
Why the National Energy Transition Roadmap Makes Sense for Malaysia
By James Guild
As in other areas of the country's energy sector, the state is playing a leading role in developing renewable energy projects.
June 03, 2025
Why Vietnam Is Cutting Down Payments to Renewable Energy Developers
By James Guild
To attract investment, Vietnam's state-owned electricity company EVN agreed to pay power producers above-market rates. Now the bill has come due.
May 27, 2025
How Realistic is Vingroup’s $61 Billion High Speed Rail Plan?
By James Guild
The Vietnamese conglomerate has a history of throwing itself into ambitious projects for which it has little or no previous experience.
May 20, 2025
China, France, and the Political Economy of Defense Modernization in Southeast Asia
By James Guild
Southeast Asian nations have tended to lean toward European partners in their quest for military modernization. Could China present an affordable alternative?
May 13, 2025
The Rise and Fall, and Rise Again, of Sea Ltd
By James Guild
The Southeast Asian tech giant has just come off its best year yet, and finally appears to be on a path toward stable profits.
May 08, 2025
The PhilHealth Supreme Court Case, Explained
By James Guild
The state-run insurance giant, which is flush with cash, is resisting government orders to transfer surplus funds back to the Treasury.
May 02, 2025
LG’s Exit from a Mega-Battery Project in Indonesia, Explained
By James Guild
Does the South Korean firm's withdrawal spell trouble for Jakarta's policy of industrial downstreaming?
April 22, 2025
China’s Bet on Railways in Southeast Asia Is Starting to Pay Off
By James Guild
For all its attendant controversies, Beijing's focus on transport infrastructure is closely aligned with the region's development priorities.
April 15, 2025
Why ASEAN Countries Often Run Trade Surpluses
By James Guild
Many of the region's economies have pursued a model of export-oriented industrialization that was once championed and encouraged by Washington.
April 09, 2025
Trade, Tariffs and Trump in Southeast Asia
By James Guild
The tariffs will disrupt existing production networks and increase costs, while damaging Washington's image and relations with the region.
April 01, 2025
Why Grab Wants to Acquire Indonesia’s GoTo for $7 Billion
By James Guild
If successful, the deal will create a ride-hailing and delivery giant that would dominate Southeast Asian markets.
March 25, 2025
US Private Equity Is Making Interesting Moves in the Indo-Pacific
By James Guild
Have recent acquisitions by major U.S. firms been made on the basis of commercial considerations, or is there a geopolitical motive at play?
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