Trump tariffs

Han and his ministers are rushing to sign a trade deal with Washington, but their primary job as an acting government is to maintain a status quo. 

The U.S. is harming Pacific Islanders, destroying its relationships in the region, and letting China win the competition for influence.

ASEAN’s strategic interests lie in autonomy, market access, and meaningful economic alternatives to China. Can the U.S. take advantage of the opportunity this presents?

During his tour of Southeast Asia, Xi presented China’s vision for the region, emphasizing unity against external confrontation (read the U.S. trade war).

Before the tariffs, businesses took advantage of a public comment period to lay out the dangers of a trade war. It seems clear that the Trump administration didn’t take their concerns into account.

With the 24 percent additional tariffs on Japan suspended for 90 ninety days for negotiations, the U.S. and Japan should approach this moment as a chance to forge a new economic compact.

As in Vietnam, the Chinese leader has sought to depict himself as a champion of economic openness and cooperation.

Rather than retaliating or kowtowing to Washington, Jakarta needs to get its own house in order.

Many of the region's economies have pursued a model of export-oriented industrialization that was once championed and encouraged by Washington.

Amid the Trump administration's tariff threats, Hanoi treated the Chinese leader to an unusually warm welcome.

Trump has abandoned the vision of a tariff-free digital and high-tech economy. That raises serious concerns about the sustained technological leadership of the United States. 

The Chinese leader will this week visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, where he will attempt to contrast China's steady economic engagement with the volatility of the current U.S. administration.