What Year of the Snake holds for China’s economy – Asia Times

Foreign people around the world have really celebrated&nbsp, the Lunar New Year, which this year runs from January 28 to February 4.

The beginning of spring is a major event in China, and this is the year of the timber snake. According to Chinese astrology, the characteristics of the reptile – registration, possible, option and intelligence – will change the year ahead.

It feels appropriate to look forward as the new solar year approaches and examine the prospects for the Taiwanese economy through these traits.

Registration of the primary financial forces

China is the world’s largest manufacturer, with output equal to the size of the next seven biggest competitors combined. China has been given the name of the world’s top producer, but it has come at a price. China is among the best 20 most polluted nations in the world, according to the most recent information.

So, it’s likely that over the next 12 months, there will be a continuing travel towards the registration, or upgrading, of traditional business sectors that have previously driven growth in China but are also big polluters.

This is a part of China’s wider effort to reduce emissions and lower its carbon footprint. These are the federal climate action plans, also known as&nbsp, nationally determined efforts, as they are outlined in the National Climate Action Plan.

Potential for a rise in AI

China’s manufacturing center could change as a result of its adoption of AI, technology, and 3D printers. In addition, the country’s next-generation AI development plan sets out precise goals to create AI the primary force behind China’s industrial and economic growth. Hope to see more of this improvement in 2025.

China’s machine-learning market has experienced tremendous growth, and is predicted to grow by an average of 34.8 % a year over the next five times. The US is the main business leader and has the largest market share, but DeepSeek‘s most current release of the R1 robot has stirred up opinion.

New year, fresh possibilities. &nbsp, Image: EPA-EFE via The Conversation /Jessica Lee

The most affordable price for its R1 model is claimed to be around US$ 6 million, which is less than its US competitors, including Open AI’s ChatGPT-4, which is said to have cost more than$ 100 million.

It serves as an indicator of the pace of development and highlights the potential expansion of China’s AI industry, which is likely to help close the US-China border.

Options for international funding

We can anticipate opportunities for growth in advanced technology sectors like banking and green tech in addition to modernizing standard industries. China will continue shifting its focus to business in which its organizations can add thousands of benefit, such as in technology-related production.

To finance these industries, there must be significant expense, and two significant changes have occurred recently, acknowledging that private investment cannot suffice.

Second, the changes to China’s A-share industry, which went into effect in December 2024, may make it easier for a wider selection of international investors to provide. For instance, smaller amounts of money are required, and foreign cash is now appear from unlisted firms.

Next, in November 2024, China opened up its manufacturing industry to foreign investment by removing all access constraints.

We can anticipate that these changes will help China understand these new development areas and increase the amount of international capital in the country over the coming year.

The knowledge of revealing yourself

China continues to believe that opening its market in terms of purchase is wise, and that maintaining a strong connection to the rest of the world is crucial.

The geopolitical tensions with the US are a problem: the US president, Donald Trump, has said he will establish levies of 10 % on imports from China. But on a more positive note, breaking process last month, Foreign vice-president Han Zheng was invited to, and attended, Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

China’s vice-president, Han Zheng, sits behind internet billionaire Rupert Murdoch at Donald Trump’s opening, January 20, 2025. &nbsp, Photo: EPA-EFE via The Conversation / Chip Somodevilla / Pool

It’s an indication of the latest US government’s view of the importance of America’s connection with China.

The UK has a good chance to use the time to continue its efforts to rekindle its connection with China. During the subsequent visit to Beijing by the chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves, there was a conversation of a” stable and balanced UK-China relationship”.

Some people anticipate or desire a return to the “golden era” rhetoric of past UK chancellor George Osborne, who urged China to work together to ensure common prosperity in a speech at the Shanghai Stock Exchange in September 2015:” This stick up to make Britain China’s best partner in the West. Let’s work together to make this a golden decade for both of our nations.

However, greater dialogue with China may be possible, while at the same time carefully managing the UK’s relationship with the new US administration.

Watch out for other economic developments in China over the coming year, such as the progress of Chinese fiscal reforms and their effects on local and regional finances and income distribution.

Also, there is the matter of the real estate market. House prices are beginning to stabilize after significant declines in housing sales and investment in 2024.

China’s economy will face challenges in the year ahead. However, as the manufacturing giant begins to close the gap with the US, there are also some exciting opportunities for this company, particularly in the tech sector.

Karen Jackson is reader in economics, University of Westminster

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Tune Talk’s Contact Card reaches 200,000 users, driving digital and sustainable networking

  • Helps conservation, aligning with UN SDGs, specifically Goals 12 and 13
  • The Phone Card is piece of Tune Repeats app overhaul, completing by Q2 2025

Tune Repeats Phone Card function on the Tune Speak software has reached a milestone of 200, 000 people, with figures continuing to grow. Designed for both personal and professional network, the Contact Card offers a smooth and automated way to connect, reinforcing Tune Repeats devotion to development, sustainability, and enhancing its subscribers ‘ modern lifestyles.

Launched in December 2024, the Phone Card is a key element of Tune Repeats continued game remodel, set for implementation by the end of Q2 2025. Subscribers will benefit from a more enjoyable and active user experience thanks to this upgrade.

The Contact Card is becoming a thorough digital hub that meets members ‘ lifestyle and marketing needs, according to Tune Chat. This improvement is in line with the bank’s goal of creating an ecosystem that connects people and provides them with more intelligent, effective electronic options.

Beyond pleasure, the Phone Card also supports conservation efforts, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Focus 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and Goal 13: Climate Action.

Going electronically is a vital economic program. According to The World Counts, over 199 tonnes of paper are produced every 15 seconds, with 93 % sourced from trees and 2, 700 litres of water required to produce just one tonne of paper. The Personal Card helps minimize paper use, minimising the economic impact of deforestation, water usage, and energy consumption associated with paper manufacturing.

The Contact Card also reduces carbon emissions, making a more responsible and environmentally-friendly digital future by eliminating traditional business cards and the logistics of printing and distribution. Tune Talk will continue to support efforts to advance digital transformation and sustainability. As Malaysia’s first fully cloud-enabled mobile network operator, it has successfully migrated to Amazon Web Services, reinforcing its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

” The Contact Card is just one of the many ways we’re making life easier ( and cooler ) for Tune Talkers. Whether it’s for work or just flexing your digital presence, we’re all about giving you the tools to stay connected effortlessly”, said Gurtaj Singh Padda, executive director of Tune Talk. ” This is just the beginning—there’s a whole lot more coming your way”, he added.

The Tune Talk Contact Card is a prime example of how technology can promote sustainability while enhancing convenience. Subscribers can anticipate an even more rewarding and seamless digital experience as more features are released in the upcoming months.

For more information, visit Tune Talk’s official website at https ://www.tunetalk .com or check out its newsroom for the latest updates.

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Prabowo: 100 days of a presidency that delivers – Asia Times

I have known President Prabowo Subianto for many years, so I have no doubt how he has handled his second 100 days in business.

His unwavering focus, organized leadership, and determination to give results will be obvious to those who have worked with him. This person lives by the tenet that management is more about activity than words.

From his days in the military, where he served on the front ranges during some of Indonesia’s most difficult moments, to his political career, Prabowo has always been a man of his word. As president, he has carried the same sense of mission, honoring the promises he made to the Indian people.

His administration has delivered on its election promises with urgency and intent in these first 100 times. The results speak for themselves. Cultural initiatives are in place, infrastructure projects are being developed, and fiscal discipline is upheld.

The policies in place at this time are now enhancing lives and laying the groundwork for Indonesia’s transition into a modern, dynamic, and admired country.

The free college breakfast system, a crucial strategy commitment that is already being implemented across the country, is one of the most obvious example of his devotion to activity.

This program is about much more than just supplying foods. Children’s academic performance is improved by appropriate nutrition, which gives them a better chance of succeeding in life. By ensuring that children may focus on their studies, this software is an investment in Indonesia’s greatest advantage: its citizens.

Understandably, infrastructure has also been a major concern. Roads, slots and online sites are being developed at a remarkable rate, with the aim of connecting Indonesia’s large island more efficiently.

These projects are crucial for boosting trade and economic growth as well as promoting social cohesion for a nation as big and geographically diverse as Indonesia.

These are not high-profile tasks; rather, they are practical solutions to long-standing issues that aim to reduce barriers and offer businesses the tools they need to succeed.

However, the most crucial aspect of the Prabowo administration’s approach to fiscal responsibility is probably its most distinguishing quality. Indonesia has seen officials who have made promises to the horizon throughout its history without considering the long-term effects and prices of their actions.

President Prabowo’s management is quite different. Every dirhams that is spent creates true value for the people, according to his government, which is characterized by fiscal discipline.

Although the social initiatives that have been launched so far are ambitious, they have been carefully thought out to be both effective and green. This is not a federal seeking reckless democracy or short-term benefits. It is doing so mindfully with the solutions that have been given to it by the people to create a stronger future.

It is this sense of responsibility that drives the government’s fight against corruption. For too long, problem has drained Indonesia’s tools and undermined its possible. This will no longer be tolerated, according to President Prabowo, who has made it clear.

His presidency has taken first steps to improve accountability across all levels of government, increase oversight of public purchasing, and reduce improper practices. While this war will not be won immediately, these initial steps send a strong message: Indonesia’s solutions are for its citizens, not for personal enhancement.

Under President Prabowo’s management, Indonesia is even asserting itself as a major player in world matters. The nation has taken a leadership position on issues like good trade, climate change, the conflict in Ukraine, and global management measures in communities like the G20 and APEC.

Indonesia has become a stabilizing force in a world that is increasingly divided thanks to the president’s sensible diplomacy, which aims to strengthen ties with China while strengthening partnerships with the United States.

During a trip to the United Kingdom in November, President Prabowo walked ahead with US$ 8.5 billion in funding commitments. Another recent developments, from arrival to BRICS, to bilateral agreements in clean energy, equipment and knowledge, not just gain Indonesia but also help to regional and global advancement.

It’s not about using energy for its own sake; it’s about demonstrating that Indonesia has the capacity and vision to tackle common world issues.

These initial 100 times are just the start, but they give sufficient reason for optimism about Indonesia’s potential. The foundations laid but far—in social policy, system, and international diplomacy—are just the first steps in a much longer journey for our country.

But, President Prabowo has made it abundantly clear that the difficult work of changing Indonesia will continue to be done throughout his presidency with the same intensity and control that have characterized these earlier times.

The path ahead will not be without its problems. Corruption, government and international uncertainty are critical. But Indonesia’s story is one of endurance, determination, and creativity. These traits will link Indonesia’s efforts to create a prosperous future.

Sugiono is Indonesia’s minister of foreign affairs.

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Trump voters not the climate enemies you think they are – Asia Times

People of Carteret County, North Carolina, whose seaside towns and villages are being slashed by the rising Atlantic, will experience yet another monster sea on another day.

However, its electorate elected Donald Trump to the White House, a gentleman who had rejected the science of climate change and had unilaterally withdrawn his nation from the Paris Agreement on climate change before the moon had also set on his first time in business.

It is a paradox that has captivated many people’s minds. The term “denialism” dominated late-night talk shows and became widely known at annual UN summits in 2017, when Trump forked out for the first time to withdraw from the agreement, which spiritually pledges nations to reduce global warming to well below 2°C.

Denialism stifles a compulsive rejection of climate change’s existence. It has led to a community that is unable to distinguish fact from fiction, frequently to the expense of the author. However, climate-conscious officials in a handful of Democrat states have repeated their devotion to medical information.

As an anthropologist, I found myself miserable with the way the famous Trump voting was treated while hardly ever being given the opportunity to speak for themselves. I have participated in climate elections as a scientist, environmentalist and minister, and I felt there was little mirror among the treaty’s activists about their own part in the US exit.

I began a PhD to learn about culture politics ‘ non-participants. It took me to southern North Carolina, where the effects of climate change and a flimsy indifference to the crisis are both present. Like so many other American communities, this place is also known for its coastal communities.

Hurricane Helene also rages in North Carolina in the fall of 2024. Photo: Karl Dudman via The Talk

I was interested in learning how people around dealt with climate research and what denialism really looked like. I spent a time talking to people with” Trump Won” colors on their meadows, but I also met experts, government officials, activists and Liberals.

Here is one point I found, and one point I didn’t.

Culture triumphs over “facts”

Although the science of climate change is very powerful, technology alone cannot explain what makes a solution fair or who should have a say in its design. The Paris Agreement, for instance, has a strong social aspect that was hard-won by developing countries, small island states and global activists.

It depicts a planet where wealthy nations like the US are largely to blame for climate change and have to take responsibility for addressing it, and it forbids financial flows to the developing nations to aid in their adaptation. This is a tough narrative for several precarious Americans who don’t feel wealthy or bad.

I saw a similar structure in my own research. Designs that generally guide open relationship with climate action by the federal government and community actions include racism, indigenous information, industrial injustice, and children. These topics won’t always be popular in remote, traditional communities like Carteret state.

According to opinion polls and vote information in the US, climate change is a topic on which voters are divided.

A boathouse with a boat bearing a US flag.
North Carolina has a long history of being a major local firm. Karl Dudman

This helps explain why climate change advocates frequently speak to the already-engaged by making reference to other liberal reasons. However, supporters may not always be more influenced by the truth than they are by naysayers. Simply put, it’s simpler to sign up for a reason you can see yourself supporting.

‘ Denialism’ is a poor strategy

What I didn’t get in North Carolina was what I came looking for: environment for.

In the conversations I had in Carteret County, climate change often came up naturally, but the responses were uneven, ranging from curiosity to concern to mistrust and disinterest to fatalism and skepticism. What mention there was hardly fit the stereotype of bitter, conspiracy-fuelled rejection of reality.

In this tight-knit fishing community, people had become wary of outside interventions. Some people were offended by environmental movements because they were given instructions on how to manage a coastline by regulatory scientists or environmental activists.

Others were fatalist about preventing sea level rise; generations spent on the Atlantic’s fierce frontline taught them that you don’t fight storms, you ride them out. Many people were aware of the changes taking place but were unable to devote much time or money, or else found it intolerable to wake up each day thinking about the demise of their local community.

A fishing boat leaving a harbour at dusk.
North Carolina’s fishers face several threats to their livelihood. Photo: Karl Dudman via The Conversation

Denialism lacked a justification for this. In contrast, it misrepresented complex social dynamics as a matter of simply accepting or rejecting facts by failing to distinguish between disagreement and lack of agreement.

So why does any of this matter? Because we give ourselves permission to stop enquiring about what we could be doing differently when we identify one group as the sole cause of a problem. After all, climate action’s supporters, from UN officials to individual voters, have a say in what legitimate climate action looks like and who wants to be a part of it.

Reiterating that “science is real,” in the vein of world leaders and American lawn signs, is a rip-off of the US’s withdrawal from Paris, misses the point. Public dissention frequently relates to whose vision of a good world we are working toward rather than whether we should fix it.

This is not to shift blame for Trump’s withdrawal. Nor should it be used to applaud those in politics, business, and the media who have repeatedly omitted the climate debate in defiance of their own policies.

A person sits mending rope in a workshop.
Carteret’s older residents have seen the decline of local industries and ecosystems. Photo: Karl Dudman via The Conversation

However, limiting public dissention to a matter of misinformation and gullibility implies a lack of humility and ignores concerns that might not turn into opposition if handled politely. We can all do more to reduce the toxicity of climate politics by asking ourselves more questions.

As Trump signed his first executive orders, I pressed send on my thesis’s final corrections. How the international community reacts this time is up for debate, but the last four years have taught me that it may influence whether or not there will be another time.

Karl Dudman is a PhD candidate in anthropology, University of Oxford

The Conversation has republished this article under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Trump’s Paris Agreement withdrawal not such a bad thing – Asia Times

On his first time back in business as United States president, Donald Trump gave official notice of his nation’s return from the Paris Agreement – a crucial global treaty seeking to rein in climate change.

Before signing the attempt, Trump declared his causes to an area of cheering followers, describing the international agreement as an “unfair, one-sided Paris weather authority rip-off. ”

Of course, this is not the first day Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris deal – he did it in 2017, during his first term in office.

On one hand, Trump’s shift is a huge punch to work to global climate action. The US is the world’s second-biggest emission of greenhouse gas waste, after China. The state is vital to the international effort to curb climate change.

But given Trump’s weather for, it ’s actually better that the US excluded itself from international climate conversations while he is in power. That means, the rest of the world can get on with the task without Trump’s caustic effect.

This is not the first day Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris offer.   Photo: Ben Curtis / AP via The Talk

A quick recap on the Paris Agreement

Signed by 196 countries in 2015, the Paris Agreement is the first comprehensive international agreement to combat climate change.

Its overall purpose is to maintain the increase of global heat to well below 2°C above pre-industrial ranges and undertake efforts to control the raise to 1. 5°C.

Experts say meeting the more optimistic 1. 5°C goal is important because crossing that threshold risks unleashing catastrophic climate change effects, for as more frequent and severe drought and wildfires.

Under the deal, each state may produce national plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help achieve the global temperatures goals. These programs are known as “nationally determined contributions”.

What Trump’s removal methods

Under Trump’s next administration, the US was only out of the Paris package for four weeks, due to the time it took for the surrender to take effect. President Joe Biden rejoined the contract in early 2021.

This day, the US withdrawal may be established more immediately – after a year. Finally, the US will add Iran, Libya and Yemen as the only United Nations states no party to the contract.

The US is preserve participating as a celebration to the Paris deal until January 2026. That means it does try to negotiate at the COP30 climate change event in Brazil this time.

COP30 is a big deal. It is when each region is due to current its innovative nationally determined efforts. The US removal means it is unlikely to provide a new input to the conference – if it attends at all.

If the US display up, its presence would probably destabilize negotiations. That’s why removing Trump-backed diplomats from the climate talks going forwards is a good result.

If the US stayed in the camp under Trump, its diplomats may, for example, agitate to diminish any talks struck at the conference. We saw quite techniques from Saudi Arabia at COP29 in Baku. The fuel state constantly disrupted the talks and in one example, sought to change critical text in the agreement without full consultation.

With the US out of the way, the other parties to the Paris Agreement have a better chance of progressing climate negotiations.

At this stage, it does n’t appear other countries are preparing to follow Trump out the door. This is despite controversy at the COP29 talks when Argentinian president Javier Milei ordered his negotiators to withdraw only a few days in. Milei had previously described the climate emergency as a “socialist lie. ”

At this stage, Trump has not withdrawn from the Paris Agreement’s parent convention, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. So after it withdraws from the Paris deal, the US can still attend COP meetings, but only as an observer.

With the US out of the way, other parties to the Paris agreement have a better chance of progress. Pictured: COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, left, with an unnamed woman, listens during a closing session.   Photo: Rafiq Maqbool / AP via The Conversation

Onwards and upwards

Of course, there are downsides to the US withdrawal from the Paris deal.

Leaving the Paris Agreement means the US is no longer required to provide annual updates on its greenhouse gas emissions. This lack of transparency makes it harder to determine how the world is tracking on emissions reduction overall.

Under the Biden administration, the US contributed funding to help developing nations adopt clean energy and cope with climate change ( albeit delivering less than it promised ). Trump is expected to slash this funding. That will leave vulnerable nation-states in an even more precarious position.

While the US was technically only out of the Paris deal for a short period last time, the process was destabilizing. It weakened what was an unprecedented show of international solidarity and sent a damaging message about the importance of climate action.

Trump’s latest withdrawal is a similar blow to morale. It’s particularly galling for Americans fighting for climate action, and those struggling with its devastating effects – most recently, the unthinkable fires in Los Angeles.

But Trump’s withdrawal can easily be reversed by a new US president. And we can expect other parties to Paris, such as China and the European Union, to continue to play a leadership role, and others to fill the vacuum.

What’s more, as others have noted, Trump cannot derail global climate action. Investment in clean energy is now greater than in fossil fuels. When Trump last pulled out of Paris, many US state and local governments pressed ahead with climate policy; we can expect the same this time around.

And the vast majority of the rest of the world is still pursuing emissions reduction efforts.

So overall, the US exit from Paris is probably the best of a bunch of bad options. It mutes Trump’s capacity to destabilize international climate action, allowing others to step into the breach.

Rebekkah Markey-Towler is PhD Candidate, Melbourne Law School, and research fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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PAP launches climate action group, will table parliament motion to support businesses with green transition

SINGAPORE: A new climate action body formed by the People’s Action Party ( PAP ) aims to bolster support for businesses navigating the green transition, assistant secretary-general Desmond Lee announced on Tuesday ( Jan 21 ).

Mr Lee said the PAP Climate Action Group, launched on Tuesday at the Singapore Sustainability Academy, will stand a fourth action on climate shift in parliament after this time.

There are now initiatives to help organizations choose green methods, such as the Business Sustainability Programme and Energy Efficiency Grant, said Mr Lee, the Minister for National Development.

He noted that some businesses –  especially small and medium-sized enterprises –  also face problems in this area.

“This action will call for stronger support to help organizations understand the natural transition, and maintain a just and equitable move towards a low-carbon world, ” said Mr Lee.

MAJOR PRIORITY

The climate action group is one of two new bodies formed by the party to address “issues that are also major priorities for the PAP government”, he said.

The party launched its mental health group in October last year.

The new groups were first announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in June, as part of the party ’s “Refresh PAP” exercise.

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon will chair the climate action group, alongside Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament Louis Ng.

While the party already has various groups serving specific segments in the community, the two new bodies were set up to face “key challenges ” that “cut across traditional demographic lines”, Mr Wong had said.

“Looking ahead, climate change poses an existential threat to Singapore, and will be one of the defining challenges of our time, ” said Mr Lee on Tuesday.

He said that environmental sustainability has long been a core part of Singapore’s development, citing founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew’s efforts in the space and the country ’s involvement on the global stage.

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

The upcoming climate change motion will be the fourth. The first was tabled in January 2021 by members of the government parliamentary committee ( GPC ) on sustainability and the environment, to accelerate and deepen efforts against climate change.

Mr Ng, who currently heads the GPC, said the group hopes to table the latest motion “sometime this year”.

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Pundits warn of Trump policy risks

Sineenat: Higher tariffs could slow Thai exports
Sineenat: Higher taxes had slow Thai exports

According to experts in international affairs, Thailand should be wary of the violent trade practices of US President-elect Donald Trump, who will sworn in for his second term on January 20.

Governments around the world are concerned about the effects that Mr. Trump’s risks to raise taxes on US imports have had on their economies.

Mr. Trump said the high import duties would help reduce the country’s enormous trade deficit, budget deficit, and promote investment in the country under the” America First” theme of his election campaign, which pledged to levy tariffs of 10 to 20 % on all imported goods and 60 % or more on Chinese goods.

According to experts, the Thai government and the business sector should carefully check US trade and economic policies because they may have an impact on the country’s economy and business environment.

They are also worried Mr Trump’s monetary policies could reduce US funding in Thailand, particularly in manufacturing, and slow down technology transfers, putting limits on access to advanced technology.

The authorities in Thailand were speaking with The Bangkok Post to get their opinions on how the country should make.

Price war harms development

Sineenat Sermcheep, chairman of the Asean Studies Center, Faculty of Economics of Chulalongkorn University, said Mr Trump’s monetary policies may prioritise business protectionism by imposing big tariffs to protect local business.

These actions may hurt US business partners, increase worldwide confusion, and have a negative impact on the US economy, reducing global progress, she said.

High import taxes from China and other nations could cause trade wars, stifle global supply chains, and stifle international business. For National consumers and companies who rely on imported products for their production methods, these taxes are likely to raise expenses.

Mr. Trump’s economic policies and higher tariffs pose negative risks for the Thai economy by slowing exports and dissuading FDI because trade and US foreign direct investment ( FDI) are key drivers of Thailand’s economic growth.

On trade, Ms Sineenat said the US is a big Thai export market, especially for items such as computers, electronics, and electronic appliances, and these exports may be hit straight by higher tariffs.

” However, the flood of Chinese products may increase competition in the Thai business. Because of the great tariffs that China may impose on its exports to the US, they may look for new industry, including Thailand. This fierce competitors may have an impact on local producers and stymie the recovery, according to Ms Sineenat.

She claimed that Thailand’s economy may be sluggish as FDI and international funding decline. International investors may hold off on their investment decisions until more positive information is available.

” Also, Mr Trump’s reshoring method might increase funding in the US while decreasing international funding elsewhere. This makes it more likely that less investment may be made in Thailand.

” So Thailand needs to prepare by adjusting its profitability, growth and encouraging more local assistance,’ ‘ she said.

She said Thailand needs to increase its local production capacity to be more competitive in the global market by leveraging systems and sustainable development by investing in cutting-edge developing technologies, digitalization, natural industries, and solar power. Additionally, she recommended strengthening its business environment to draw in a wide range of FDI.

These would be particularly crucial as the Trump administration attempts to cut back on US climate action goals.

Thailand also needs to diversify its economic partnerships by strengthening trade ties with other major nations to lessen its dependence on any single market. It should also firm up economic ties with economies including the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Middle East, Ms Sineenat said.

Finally, Thailand needs to encourage Asean to enhance intra-Asean trade to deepen regional integration, which would enhance economic resilience.

Panitan: More pressure to take regional responsibilities

Panitan: More pressure to take regional responsibilities

More regional responsibility

Panitan Wattanayagorn, a former lecturer on international affairs at the Faculty of Political Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, says Thailand must brace for the economic impacts of a Trump-led administration, particularly regarding US-China trade tensions.

Any slowdown in China’s economy will inevitably affect Thailand, given their interconnected trade relationships, he said. Thailand may also face tougher negotiations on tariffs and trade balances, requiring strategic adaptability.

Thailand could be under more regional responsibilities under the second Trump administration, including addressing human rights issues, battling illegal fishing, and tackling human trafficking.

Such pressures might serve as leverage in trade talks, with Washington tying economic incentives to Thailand’s cooperation on these fronts, said Mr Panitan.

He thinks that the government might be able to solve some of these issues with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s influence and direct communication with US leadership.

However, Mr Panitan also cited risks related to transparency if the government relies on Mr Thaksin’s help, suggesting the former premier may benefit instead.

According to Mr. Panitan, transparency will be essential to preventing any public backlash and ensuring that any collaboration benefits Thailand as a whole.

Virot: Thailand risks losing out to neighbours

Virot: Thailand risks losing out to neighbours

Thammasat University’s international relations professor Virot Ali emphasized the importance of Thailand’s adaptation to the rapidly-changing global economy.

He said Mr Trump’s policies, if consistent with his first term, may stimulate shifts in global trade and technology. Although stabilized oil prices and lessening strategic tensions can benefit the US, these changes could increase competition in global markets.

Thailand, with its outdated industrial framework, risks losing out to more dynamic economies like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. He emphasized the necessity of embracing the” Fourth Industrial Revolution” by modernizing production processes and diversifying trade markets.

He warned that if Thailand didn’t adapt, it might struggle to attract investment and keep up with its regional peers.

Trump’s policies may stymie global trade, but they also offer the chance for Thailand to adjust its economic strategies. The country could reduce potential losses by boosting domestic consumption and opening new markets.

He adds that Mr. Thaksin’s prior business dealings with Mr. Trump could be a valuable diplomatic asset because they might help ease current tensions and open the door for further cooperation.

He stated that he anticipates the administration of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to make use of these ties to aid Thailand in overcoming economic difficulties.

Anekchai: China containment could hurt Thailand

Anekchai: China containment could hurt Thailand

Myanmar and Indo-Pacific

Given its close proximity to Thailand, Mr. Panitan continued to say that one area where the US might exert more pressure is Myanmar.

Although Thailand’s involvement in the South China Sea’s issues is likely to be limited, Mr. Panitan thinks Washington will anticipate greater Thai involvement in resolving the crisis there.

He predicts that the US will continue to rely on Asean alliances to counterbalance China’s influence, particularly in the South China Sea, with nations like the Philippines and Indonesia likely to be encouraged to take more active roles.

Anekchai Rueangrattanakorn, Silpakorn University’s adjunct lecturer in Political Sciences, said Mr Trump’s second victory may stem from his clear action on how to contain China’s global influence in a bid to retain America’s supremacy.

Southeast Asia may be impacted by the containment of China because the South China Sea and the Myanmar crisis have become a geopolitical hotspot.

Regarding the Myanmar crisis, Mr. Anekchai said that even though the United States hasn’t given it any priority or its strategic importance in relation to the Middle East, Washington can’t ignore it as it did in 1990-2010.

He claimed that this is because the US has finally recognized that Myanmar has not changed or given importance to democracy and human rights protection as expected since Washington imposed sanctions on the nation in response to the uprising there on August 8, 1988.

The so-called 8888 Uprising, also known as the People Power Uprising, was a series of nationwide protests, marches and riots in Myanmar ( then known as Burma ). The key events occurred on Aug 8, 1988.

According to Mr. Anekchai, this event caused Myanmar to forge strong ties with China, which affected America’s efforts to maintain its leadership and influence in Southeast Asia.

During Joe Biden’s soon-to-end administration, Washington announced a tough policy on Myanmar, which effectively cut its access to the Tatmadaw.

Mr. Anekchai said that even though the Trump administration may not be as concerned with democracy and human rights as the Biden administration, he believed Mr. Trump would need to support the anti-Tatmadaw movement while also backing the anti-Tatmadaw movement, saying that this would be the best way to keep American influence and leadership in the area.

In order to thwart Chinese influence in the region, he said, Washington may also have the impression that it wants to form a systematic alliance that promotes democracy and human rights while co-creating security and fair economic growth.

Because Myanmar has a strategic importance for China, he said,” President Trump would open the door for Myanmar and China to foster a closer bond.”

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Commentary: US will leave a void in climate leadership. Can China fill it?

Income TALKS

China may also be able to influence climate finance, which is the COP29 environment conference’s central theme.

China helped lead the conversations in Baku by urging functions to settle disputes involving the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a brand-new climate finance goal that prioritizes developing nations ‘ requirements and closes accessibility spaces.

China emphasized the value of international frameworks and argued that developed nations should still lead in contributions to climate finance because of the principle of shared but distinct responsibility.

COP29 parties were able to believe on a new target consisting of two parts: Increasing” key” funding from the initial US$ 100 billion to at least US$ 300 billion annually by 2035, and an “additional coating” of up to US$ 1.3 trillion generally encompassing private financing. The NCQG result reflected development, despite the criticisms that some developing nations had for its lack of ambition.

Interestingly, China agreed to include its South-South and international development bank funding in the new finance goal in the COP29 agreement. This represents a substantial advance.

China has even, for the first time, officially announced its climate finance efforts. Vice-premier Ding Xuexiang stated at COP29 that since 2016, China has contributed and mobilized 177 billion yuan ( more than US$ 24 billion ) to weather actions.

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COP29’s new climate finance deal: Will India and China step up? – Asia Times

India and China, the country’s two most popular nations, are key to international environment efforts. They make up over a third of the international community as a whole, and they tremendously increase global pollution. As significant economies and emerging market leaders, their actions may have a significant impact on achieving or preventing international climate goals.

This reality was highlighted by the recent 29th Conference of the Parties ( COP29 ) in Azerbaijan, which was a significant advance in the global climate agenda. Countries converged to set a more ambitious climate finance target, which would accelerate action on pollution and adaptation, after key agreements were reached to promote climate action at the summit, known as the” climate finance COP.”

The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which will remove the US$ 100 billion goal that is pending, and commit to organizing US$ 300 billion yearly for developing nations by 2035, was a crucial result.

Nevertheless, the NCQG falls little of the US$ 1.3 trillion goal that developing nations had advocated for, and even that figure may not be sufficient to meet their climate financing needs.

Important questions remain: Who will make the expenses? Does the money remain in the form of grants, concessional funding, or private field loans? And, crucially, how will these tools be allocated and distributed? For the NCQG to really work, these difficulties must get addressed.

Major effects will be had by the new agreement for both China and India. As main players in this environment financing commitment, their contributions, alongside international support, may be crucial in determining whether the world can match its climate objectives.

India is a key emerging economy that struggles to strike a balance between achieving climate goals and achieving financial growth and reducing poverty. India’s need for more climate finance was highlighted by current COP29 discussions as a result of its need for a low-carbon business.

New Delhi has much argued that developed countries, which account for the majority of traditional pollution and have experienced higher levels of economic growth, may bear a larger share of the fiscal load. India has made significant progress in renewable energy, setting a lofty goal of 500 gigawatts ( GW ) of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030, but it still faces significant challenges in implementing these initiatives without substantial financial and technological support.

Hope is provided by the NCQG’s commitment to raising US$ 300 billion annually for developing nations. However, India’s request for more significant climate fund is still unheeded.

India’s strategy to weather motion is essentially linked to its growth priorities. India is ranked 10th in the most recent Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), with a relatively low per capita emissions of 2.9 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2 ), which is significantly lower than the global average of 6.6 tCO2. This ranking reflects India’s vigilant climate policies, which demonstrate that green growth is possible even for developing nations.

India has, however, constantly emphasized that climate finance should not have constrained by factors like green standards or policy restrictions that might impair its ability to grow economically. The important issue facing New Delhi may be balancing its development needs with its commitments to the environment, making sure that financial aid is both fair and clear.

China, for its part, has also faced investigation. China’s inappropriate contributions to climate financing at COP29 were subject to intense scrutiny. Its monetary commitment to international climate action is increasingly seen as a decisive test of its authority on the international level because it is the world’s largest emission.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, weather fund responsibility falls on developed countries due to their historical pollution. But, negotiators are increasingly urging China to play a bigger economic part.

China maintains its position as a developing nation and opposes mandated contributions, but its deliberate pledges have raised questions about their commitment, setting the stage for further discussion of China’s financial responsibility in international climate actions.

Critics argue that China’s rising world influence, its powerful technological capacity and its reputation as the country’s largest greenhouse gas emitter&nbsp, involve greater role in addressing climate change. China’s position in climate finance will be under increased scrutiny as the pressure mounts against it, especially if Beijing wants to exert greater influence in shaping international climate politics.

Since 2016, China has committed over US$ 24.5 billion in climate financing to developing countries, according to Chinese leaders. Monthly efforts are thought to be around US$ 4 billion, which is around 5 % of what developed nations contribute. While important, it also falls short of the US$ 100 billion annual goal for developed countries, a duty China has yet to join.

China has emerged as a significant person in climate financing, but it does so on its own terms and outside the conventional United Nations construction. Importantly, a significant portion of its monetary contributions are in the form of loans rather than grants, which raises questions about the potential debt burdens of the recipient countries over the long term and the potential viability of the project.

As China’s geopolitical and economic power grows, its climate finance plan will be under increasing pressure, especially as demands for greater accountability and stronger commitments grow.

COP29 set a crucial step with the NCQG. The meeting made clear that India and China are crucial in funding international climate action. Both nations may then set the example. After all, their actions may shape the future of climate politics and international conservation.

Neeraj Singh Manhas is the Republic of Korea’s Parley Policy Initiative’s special assistant for South Asia. He recently held the position of Research Director for the Indo-Pacific Consortium at Raisina House in New Delhi.

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