Vantage Point

Explore our latest perspectives on the global economy, geopolitics, and industry dynamics.

Reciprocal tariffs hit home: what’s at stake for Southeast Asia?

April 17, 2025

The US reciprocal tariff policy is threatening Southeast Asia's competitive edge as a manufacturing hub, with the potential for increased production costs and factory closures.

The Economic consequences of protectionism: more than just inflation

April 3, 2025

There are profound negative impacts of protectionist trade policies, including increased costs, supply chain disruptions, reduced innovation, inefficient resource allocation, and potential risks to the US dollar and fiscal stability.

Southeast Asia's China policies are shifting

March 5, 2025

At the 2025 SCMP China Conference, Southeast Asian policymakers discussed the dual challenges of attracting Chinese investment while managing rising trade barriers and compliance complexities due to the US-China trade relationship.

Parsing Through Recent Key US Economic Data: Policy Uncertainty Clouds the Outlook

February 28, 2025

US growth is slowing, but at a manageable pace. January data had some one-off headwinds - February data will be a better indicator of fundamental growth.

US-EU: farther apart

February 21, 2025

A flurry of activity in the past week has brought US-EU relations to a historical low, with long-term consequences for trade, investment and security.

China’s export pivot to developing countries will be increasingly challenged

February 13, 2025

China's pivot to developing markets faces increasing challenges from rising trade barriers and heightened scrutiny from the US and other regions.

January macro data in line with outlook but caution signs emerge

January 31, 2025

With a busy week for economic data and policy, we offer a recap of recent economic data and policy development, highlighting key metrics such as GDP growth, inflation, and overall consumer sentiment.

Vietnam’s energy conundrum: balancing decarbonization and industrial growth

January 30, 2025

National Energy Master Plan aims to increase renewable energy sources while addressing the challenges of energy reliability and stability through investments in LNG and nuclear power.

Israel shifts attention toward the Houthis in the Red Sea

January 22, 2025

With cease fires in effect with Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel is increasing its focus on the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, targeting their strongholds to secure maritime activity in the Red Sea and mitigate disruptions caused by Houthi attacks.

Will India be affected by Trump tariff policies?

January 16, 2025

Explore how India's emerging role in global supply chains and proactive trade measures may mitigate the impact of US tariffs under Trump's policies.

The US focuses in on the Chinese shipbuilding sector

January 15, 2025

Exploring the implications of the DoD's updated list of Chinese military-connected entities on US trade and corporate strategy.

How might the Southeast Asia-5 respond to Trump’s tariff policies?

December 20, 2024

Exploring how the SEA-5 countries are looking at policy changes to mitigate the impact of potential tariffs from the incoming Trump administration.

How China’s response to a second Trump administration may impact supply chains

November 26, 2024

China is expected to respond more strongly to trade measures from a second Trump administration, leveraging its policy tools to target specific American firms and products.

A credible PNTR bill offers insight into pathways to China tariffs

November 21, 2024

The Restoring Trade Fairness Act aims to repeal Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China, subjecting Chinese imports to tariffs, quotas, and other trade remedies.

The world has changed. Have Trump’s goals changed along with it?

November 14, 2024

Geopolitical conflicts and economic strategies are shaping the next Trump administration's trade policies, with a focus on key appointments and their implications for global trade.