Commentary: When even China markets start to ignore Trump

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Geopolitical chance has likewise increased. Trump’s subsequent attempts to re-establish relations with Russia have raised concerns about a so-called “reverse Nixon” walk, which refers to former US president Richard Nixon’s choice to fix relations with Beijing in order to remove the Soviet Union.

Of course, China is the greatest attack this time, which could cause problems far beyond tariffs.

What does the resilience of Chinese stocks mean for the US exceptionalism theory that the dollar and British equities may continue to outperform, which global asset managers largely but resolutely supported in 2025?

Breathe ROOM FOR CHINA

Even if the Trump presidency views Beijing as the actual enemy, one possible reason is that a disorganized White House policy and priorities give it the much-needed breathing space to bolster its tech boom. By the time Trump refocuses, it will be too late to stop China’s development in electronics, artificial intelligence, and fresh strength.

Trump’s top priority right now doesn’t seem to be slowing its adversary down in the technology race. The leader has a lot of work to do. He needs to create a peace in Ukraine, reduce the number of national employees, and stop illegal immigration. Americans are now becoming more and more determined to reduce prices as well.

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Commentary: Vietnam’s olive branch to Elon Musk sets a bad precedent

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A NEW ERA OF TECHNO-IMPERIALISM

The move exposes a new reality: Musk’s proximity to the US president, known for his transactional approach to foreign policy, is impacting how countries are writing regulations – and in ways that stand to further enrich the billionaire.

Musk’s pseudo-government role is already causing consternation in Washington over a slew of potential conflicts of interest. Vietnam’s change of heart reveals how this new era of techno-imperialism is quietly reshaping policy in developing countries.

Vietnam isn’t alone in its efforts to court the world’s wealthiest man and his political clout. Bangladesh’s interim leader recently invited Musk to visit the country and launch Starlink.

It’s true that expanding access to satellite internet has upsides in both countries; the service can help boost connectivity across harder-to-reach mountainous and rural regions. And these nations have nothing to gain by trying to separate Musk’s business empire from US foreign policy.

Vietnam, meanwhile, is going through its own government overhaul. Leaders recognize that tariffs would devastate their export-driven economy. Opening its tech savvy market up to Musk’s business, even without a domestic partner, still seems like a wiser option. And it’s an attention-grabbing way to chip away at its trade surplus with the US.

But is Vietnam setting up a bad precedent? Should the personal business interests of Trump’s “first buddy” be enough to alter US trade policy? Is opening up your marketplace to Musk a sufficient reason to avoid the president’s long-promised tariffs?

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Commentary: As DeepSeek shakes up AI, what’s next for Malaysia’s data centre dreams?

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THE Excellent CATCH-UP

But, there are arguments to refute the claim that this is not one of those situations, and it is possible that the same may occur.

First, our knowledge of DeepSeek may become inadequate. The single pre-training expense at the reported US$ 6 million was for pre-training, not the entire R&amp, D cost. Although US$ 6 million is still less than the US counterparts ‘ pre-training budget, the difference is in the thousands rather than the trillions as claimed.

Experts who monitor export controls have made the same speculacies about DeepSeek having access to tens of thousands of border Nvidia cards, some of whom are not all of the highest specs. According to Semianalysis ‘ experts, DeepSeek’s technology spend is” properly over US$ 500 million over the firm story.” This indicates that both the general R&amp, D costs and the hardware and software needed have no significantly decreased.

Second, perhaps with DeepSeek’s value efficiency gains, it might not weaken infrastructure investments. Dario Amodei, CEO of one of the border LLM businesses, Anthropic, argues that the notion of” second everything is expensive, then it gets cheaper” does not use to AI.

He stated that in the past, when prices go lower due to advancement ( or when the “scaling curve transitions”, in specialized terms ), businesses end up spending more, rather than less on training concepts. The logic is that the price of higher-performance AI significantly outweighs any expense savings, so firms reinvest those savings into more sophisticated AI growth, rather than reduce infrastructure investments.

Third, greater productivity was increase demand. Some businesses may lower the barrier to entry because of DeepSeek’s efficiency, which allows them to create or employ applications using the model. This is very dependent on how effective the concept, and its smaller varieties, are embedded in other daily tools, and how much this is used by customers.

What DeepSeek does is to make an opportunity and possibility. It overtook Alibaba for 2024 as the best AI concept, and it has now surpassed OpenAI in the field of frontier AI models. This so-called “great catch-up” is only the start. Either approach, Malaysia’s wager on AI-driven system will soon be put to the test.

Sang Kancil ( Penguin Random House ) is the author and social scientist James Chai writes.

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Commentary: China’s jetliner dreams are getting real, but it’s too early to celebrate

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The C919 made its high-profile global display at the Singapore Air Show, where China’s Tibet Airlines announced an attempt for 40 C919 flights. In fact, commands for the plane have been confined to Chinese-owned flights. These payments are commonly seen as state-directed more than market-driven, a fact that has dampened the jet’s global beauty.

The C919’s minimal charm stems in part from its reliance on American pieces. Despite being labelled a” Chinese-made” or “homegrown” flight, many of its crucial parts– including aircraft and engines– are sourced from American manufacturers. Some sceptics also suggest that the plane’s style borrows strongly from Boeing’s 737 initiative, with complaints of intellectual property theft lingering in the background.

Yet Beijing’s interests extend well beyond the C919, as they did beyond the ARJ21, China’s first major attempt at corporate jet production. When China sought to develop its aerospace business by co-producing the MD-80 line, the ARJ21 was born out of a troubled relationship in the 1980s with McDonnell Douglas, a significant American aviation company at the time. &nbsp,

In the end, the joint venture failed, leaving China with dated layouts and some technical expertise. The ARJ21, greatly derived from the MD-80, retained a 1980s aircraft and struggled to meet current performance requirements, limiting its allure also domestically.

Substantial Opposition

The C919, by comparison, was marketed as a change from this joint-venture reputation. It is China’s second major attempt to build a jet designed for international profitability, embracing modern architecture and the ARJ21’s training. China’s aircraft prowess and advertising skills have been tested on the C919.

Nor is the C919 the sum of China’s motivation. A widebody C929 project was originally envisioned as a joint venture with Russia, just to shop following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China eventually took full control, and should it triumph, it may solidify China’s position in the global aircraft industry – moving from metaphorical milestones to meaningful competition.

The C929 was envisioned as a direct competition to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and Airbus’s A350, premier models in the widebody industry and symbols of American plane production supremacy. Unlike the single-aisle C919, the C929 is designed for long-haul flights and capable of carrying more passengers. &nbsp,

Initially, the C929 was to feature engines from Western manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce or General Electric. Beijing is now doubling down on efforts to develop the CJ-2000 engine, a domestically produced alternative. &nbsp,

If successful, this would make the C929 more homegrown of a jet than the C919, reducing China’s reliance on Western technology.

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Commentary: Indonesia’s showdown with Apple is far from over

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STRONGARM TACTIC COULD BACKFIRE

Indonesia’s strong-arming appears to have reaped some successes. Additionally, it has exposed the administrative red tape that international firms must navigate, as well as the cost of operating within its borders. This may fail, as contest for technical investment in the region grows, &nbsp, and companies such as Vietnam and Malaysia&nbsp, position&nbsp, themselves as more attractive choices.

According to research firm Canalys, Apple only accounted for 1 % of the Indonesian handset market in the second quarter of last year. Devices that charge less than US$ 200, a much lower price point than Apple’s logo portfolio, account for about 80 % of the business.

The business may have the resources to take the long view and avoid the numerous traps the government is pressuring it to jump over. But others&nbsp, keeping tabs on the theatre may become discouraged by the many barriers, even if their lower-cost choices are a better match for the country’s current business.

Apple is wise to fight it out for the opportunity to spur long-term progress in the fourth-largest nation in the world with more effective mobile phones than people. Supplies to the island, with its fresh and tech-savvy inhabitants, are forecast to grow at a substantially higher tape than the global price.

And as&nbsp, this story drags on, Chinese advanced brand&nbsp, Honor, a subsidiary of Huawei, announced it was entering Indonesia. An Honor professional has stated that the blush timed foray into the industry is not connected to the iPhone 16 restrictions. &nbsp,

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Commentary: Indonesia’s iPhone 16 ban sends the wrong message to foreign investors

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HEADACHES AND Barriers

Cook and his team might have experienced the exact difficulties that other businesses are facing. The US State Department’s 2024 Investment Climate statement on Indonesia cites “restrictive regulations, legal and regulatory confusion, economic nationalism, business isolationism, and conferred interests” as the primary headwinds complicating its foreign funding view. Some of these obstacles may be worked on by politicians.

Indonesia’s market is also largely driven by supplies. Some successful initiatives have succeeded in bringing electric-vehicle power plants to the nation thanks to laws that require foreign companies to obtain raw materials to carry out some of the processing directly. However, the World Trade Organization has likewise condemned them. &nbsp,

Some of the protectionist policies have n’t had the same level of uncertainty and additional headaches that have n’t paid off more broadly. Manufacturing as a percentage of Indonesia’s GDP has ticked down during the past president’s time in office.

Apple, for its part, may find a way to work this out. &nbsp,

Even though it currently controls a sizable portion of the Indonesian smartphone business, it still has a direct and 40 % of the premium market, which represents devices over US$ 600. And the top end had 70 per cent year-on-year progress in supplies last quarter, driven largely by Samsung and Chinese phone manufacturers. &nbsp,

Progress in Indonesia and another emerging markets, according to Apple’s chief financial officer Luca Maestri, was cited as a positive development in the wake of earlier this year’s income difficulties in China. &nbsp,

Apple has noticed some flaws in this country as a result of the rise of local laptop manufacturers. However, these rivals even rule Indonesia: Four of the top five device manufacturers are Chinese. &nbsp,

In general, Chinese cash has poured in while US companies have slowed their foot on foreign opportunities in the Southeast Asian peninsula. It was more than twice as high as it was last time in comparison to the US. &nbsp,

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Commentary: Ratan Tata’s vision should still be India’s

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WHAT INDIA COULD Be

However, India trusted his decision, even in matters of politics: When Tata Motors picked Modi-run Gujarat as the place for a new automobile manufacturer in 2008, it was seen as a sign that the private sector trusted then-controversial Modi above all other main officials. The region followed Tata’s prospect a few years later.

Why not also up his business instincts? India’s interests may be world, not regional. Its businesses may concentrate on the home business rather than just producing goods there.

Whatever his failings, Ratan Tata often benchmarked himself and his team’s goods against the nation’s best. The rest of India does, also.

I was born and raised in Jamshedpur, the charming village that the Tatas built around their enormous metal plant. Ratan Tata was now a larger-than-life find then. Jamshedpur, with its world-class services, its neatness and its efficiency, seemed a portent of what India may be.

The country may not have lived up to that promise yet, but, like Ratan Tata, it should n’t stop believing.

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Commentary: 7-Eleven should make its prospective buyer pay a lot more

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STRATEGY FOR SEVEN &amp, I

How&nbsp, to force Couche-Tard up? Miss the&nbsp, Seven &amp, i’s classification of being” key” to Japan’s national protection. The event rests on price.

The good news is that Seven &amp, i has the right plan: Focus on pleasure businesses and increase worldwide, jettisoning different styles. With the visit of an independent plan committee, chair split from the chief executive officer position, and a&nbsp, governance has improved. These developments came as a result of ValueAct Capital’s campaign force.

What is left is to give customers trust in the shipment. The organization sent mixed emails in April, with contrasting comments on the future of its shops giving the impression&nbsp, of domestic dispute. The company then says it has “actionable strategies” to access value. &nbsp, Time to show, never tell.

The rapid get would be to buy all non-core investments. Compared to the initial public offering the company is considering, a simple return from superstores may be quicker and simpler. A near-50 per cent interest in Seven Bank, with a US$ 2.4 billion industry capitalisation, may command a premium price.

Seven &amp, i&nbsp, could also declare fast moves to slope up cost-cutting at 7-Eleven in the US. Even with low-margin gas sales, its profitability is far below that of the Japanese company.

Given the trajectory of the property under his leadership, CEO Ryuichi Isaka properly struggle to get over investors. It’s hard to change management in the middle of a pay situation, but the board was at least connect management’s pay&nbsp, much more tightly to rapid implementation of the strategy.

Maybe there’ll be no deal and history wo n’t happen. If the only reason is that Couche-Tard was unwilling to pay a full and fair price, good.

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Commentary: Hotel ban in Bali? Not a second too soon

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A GOOD WAY TO SEE BEYOND BALI

Not all visitors are welcome. Authorities have talked about how badly behaved some are, and&nbsp, the&nbsp, risk&nbsp, to&nbsp, native culture. Holiday-makers&nbsp, posing&nbsp, dressed on spiritual mountains, allegations of substance abuse, and strikes on local people have exhausted endurance. The state deported more than 100 tourists&nbsp, last month, and&nbsp, imposed a bicycle restrictions after a flurry of hazardous road accidents. &nbsp,

Previous&nbsp, governments have tried to solve these problems when, but nothing has worked, largely because of a lack of policy implementation. Even with this strategy to temporarily halt growth, which sounds great on report, there is no obvious timeframe. &nbsp,

Indonesian authorities have a number of practical options. &nbsp, A&nbsp, rail travel plan, connecting the aircraft with popular tourist hubs, did go a long way to solve the deadlock problem.

But many Balinese say they&nbsp, do n’t see it benefiting them, and the construction will no doubt add to the current traffic. A conclusion meeting of 2027 is being discussed, but even before the job has kicked off properly&nbsp, there are concerns about an depending on Chinese companies, and the probability that it could be held up by local laws. &nbsp,

It’s time to appear beyond Bali, and&nbsp, extend Indonesia’s vacation destination options. &nbsp,

Other islands, like Sumba&nbsp, and Labuan Bajo, are starting to become popular with discerning travelers, though none has Bali ‘s&nbsp, the mass appeal. Improving weather communication and equipment, and advertising them better, may go a long way toward attracting more visitors. This may help to reduce the dependency on Bali as a cash cow, and even increase to&nbsp, Indonesia’s attractiveness as a holiday spot. &nbsp,

With hundreds of different ethnic groups and dialects, three distinct time zones, and a long history of intertwining between London and Baghdad, Indonesia is a large and beautiful nation that spans the west to east coast. The following Bali is simply waiting to be discovered. You will be praised by the island’s angels for it.

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Commentary: Eroding wages in Myanmar add to debate about whether garment brands should ‘stay or go’

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Prices CUTS ARE TRANSFERRED TO WAGES

The legal maximum pay, as of August 2024, is essentially 6, 800 kyat per day. This includes a daily base wage ( last updated in 2018 ) of 4, 800 kyat, plus two additional 1, 000 kyat daily allowances, announced in 2023 and 2024. Since its most recent revision in 2018, the minimum wage would now be about 12, 000 kyat per day.

Real income have likewise fallen considerably. Data from H&amp, M- one of the few companies providing clear data – indicates that wages ( including guaranteed pay but excluding variable things like overtime and prizes ) increased from 199, 000 kyat a month in 2020 to 248, 000 kyat a month at end-2023, an increase of 25 per cent.

Over this exact time, the CPI increased an estimated 88 per cent and the cost of a typical diet, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute, increased 160 per cent.

The result is that an H&amp, M income, which in 2020 was more than enough to supply an ordinary home, was no more do so by end-2023. While some businesses increased income by 20-30 per share in 2024 in response to post-conscription worker shortages, this has not offset decades of declining true income.

The wage drop is caused by a number of factors. The major culprit is high inflation, which is fueled in large part by the military government’s money printing and widespread disdain of the kyat.

Businesses also have a business setting that is becoming more and more ineffective. Electricity source has deteriorated: Yangon’s industrial zones then average 20 days of disruptions per day. Nearly every factory owns a machine, which pays significantly more for on 62 % of their strength.

With significant delays to get pathways to China and Thailand as a result of fighting, shipping is more expensive and complicated. Since the enlistment law was made public in February 2024, employees have also been leaving more often.

Growing difficulties are partially offset by the kyat’s loss, where companies sell in foreign currency but have the highest costs there. Factory output is also higher than the military regime’s complicated forex regime, yet with a complex forex regime.

If companies took the exact amount of US money they paid for wages in 2020- about US$ 140 a quarter, according to H&amp, M, and gave workers the kyat received from exchanging that now, they would get over 400, 000 kyat a quarter. Instead, H&amp, M’s data shows that in US dollar terms, wages were down from US$ 140 in 2020 to just US$ 94 a month in 2023.

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