Trump is redefining, not abandoning, American soft power – Asia Times

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For years, the United States projected global influence through what foreign policy experts call” soft power” – the ability to form world politics through social appeal, political engagement and intellectual interest rather than military power.

Under President Donald Trump’s administration, this traditional approach to international relationships is undergoing a basic change.

Critics decry the move as withdrawal of American administration. They’re missing the point. What we’re witnessing isn’t a foolish destroying of American influence but more a necessary recalibration for a universe where the old rules no longer use.

The standard soft energy model lacked clear indicators in today’s competitive world landscape. While previous administrations invested heavily in abstract notions of kindness and long-term control, Trump recognized that in a world where China and Russia wield economic liquidity to grow their spheres of influence, America needed a approach prioritizing substantial returns over intellectual appeal.

This approach has manifested in several high-profile decisions: withdrawing from agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, questioning the value proposition of NATO ( in today’s form ), and reconsidering America’s role in international organizations.

These movements signaled that US agreements may be subject to practical national passions rather than abstract principles of international security.

Take, for example, Trump’s critique of the World Health Organization ( WHO ), the United Nations ‘ global public health agency. While his amounts weren’t perfect ( according to various fact-checking publications ), his fundamental analysis was correct.

Based on WHO estimates, American combined assessed and voluntary contributions to the WHO’s 2024-2025 resources is US$ 706 million, compared to$ 184 million for China.

Whatever the measures, it is hard for British citizens to understand how the country’s second largest economy with a considerably larger community pays only 26 % of what the US contributes to the WHO.

Trump’s critics have characterized these decisions as America retreating from global leadership. In reality, they represent a strategic pivot toward a more transactional form of influence.

Trump recognizes that foreign aid can be restructured to serve a more immediate geopolitical purpose, aligning with his broader” America First” doctrine. Aid and alliances are now treated as business arrangements with expectations of immediate returns – a sharp departure from past administrations that justified foreign assistance primarily as instruments for building goodwill and sowing benign influence.

Having deconstructed the old model, the challenge now is how to complete the redefinition of American soft power for this new era. Four key areas demand particular attention:

First, America must transition from viewing foreign aid as charity to embracing strategic economic engagement. China’s Belt and Road Initiative demonstrates how infrastructure projects can build influence while ensuring recipient nations see tangible benefits from alignment with a major power.

America should develop its own model of partnership that yields mutual advantages. It is not clear the US International Development Finance Corporation ( DFC) is the vehicle to do this, thus Trump’s desire to create an American sovereign wealth fund.

Second, the US faces global threats on three key fronts: military, economic and technological. The Trump team has been extremely clear on the first two threats. The technological front can sometimes fall under the radar but is vital to success on all other fronts.

It is imperative that US technological leadership becomes a cornerstone of America’s global influence strategy. As digital connectivity reshapes international relations, US dominance in technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity offers powerful leverage to shape global norms and standards in ways that reflect democratic values.

Third, America needs resilient, flexible alliances rather than outdated treaty frameworks. The limitations of institutions like the UN and NATO have become increasingly apparent with the UN hamstrung by the Security Council and NATO struggling to balance the interests of all members ranging from Turkey to France.

The EU itself continually has a love-hate relationship with different members from Italy to Hungary. Interest-based coalitions that reflect contemporary geopolitical realities will prove more effective than rigid multilateral structures designed for a bygone era.

Finally, America must compete more effectively in the global information space. Nations are now shaping their own images through state-controlled media and digital diplomacy. The US must rethink how it communicates its values and interests to global audiences.

Abandoning platforms like Voice of America without replacement strategies surrenders the battlefield of ideas at a critical moment when America’s enemies will spend richly to ensure their narratives gain global traction.

While podcasts and new streams of communications dominate in the West, a large swathe of the world’s population still turns on the television, listens to the radio and picks up a newspaper for world news. To abandon those information spaces would be counterintuitive to American diplomacy.

Critics say Trump’s tenure is irreparably damaging traditional US soft power, the reality is it is exposing the need to modernize America’s approach to global influence.

Whether through economic incentives, technological leadership or reimagined alliances, America’s ability to attract and influence must evolve alongside an evolving geopolitical landscape.

The challenge for the Trump team and beyond is to reconstruct American soft power with a clearer strategy—one that recognizes both the limitations of past approaches and the opportunities of a new era.

Kurt Davis Jr is a Millennium Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He advises private, public and state-owned companies and their boards as well as creditors across the globe on a range of transactions.

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‘Mum was willing to lose everything to support my trans identity in Tamil Nadu’

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11 days before
Megha Mohan

BBC World Service identity and personality editor

Chithra Jeyaram/ BBC Three people smiling against a blue background. On the left, a woman in her 20s, with her hair in a bun, bindi and dangling earrings, waves at the camera. She wears a patterned top. A man in his 20 stands behind her, crouching down to fit the frame. Also in the photo is a woman in her 40s, with her hair in a bun, bindi and gold stud earrings.Chithra Jeyaram/ BBC

In 2019 Srija became the first transgender person to legitimately marry in the American state of Tamil Nadu after a traditional courtroom decision. Then a new film, Amma’s Pride, chronicles Srija’s struggle for state acknowledgment of her wedding and the unwavering support of her family, Valli.

” Srija is a gift”, Valli, 45, tells the BBC as she and her daughter embrace.

” I know that not all transgender individuals have what I have”, Srija, 25, from the port town of Thoothukudi, adds.

” My knowledge, my job, my relationship- anything was possible because of my mother’s help”.

She and her mother are sharing their story for the first time in Amma’s Pride ( Mother’s Pride ), which follows Srija’s unique experience.

Arun Kumar / BBC A 29-year-old man wearing a blue T-shirt stands with his arm around a 25-year-old Indian woman. She is wearing a black and white patterned salwar kameez. Her hair is swept back. She wears gold jewellery. Arun Kumar / BBC

‘ I will often have by my daughter ‘

Srija met her potential partner, Arun, at a church in 2017. After learning they shared common friends they immediately began texting each other often. She was already out as trans and had begun her shift.

” We talked a bit. She confided in me about her experience as a transgender woman”, Arun tells the BBC.

Within weeks, they fell in love and decided they wanted to spend their lives together.

” We wanted legal acknowledgment because we want a normal life like every other couple”, Srija says. ” We want all the privileges that come from a constitutional recognition of relationship”.

That incudes stocks, such as the exchange of money or property if one spouse dies.

In 2014, the Indian Supreme Court established certain protections for transgender people, granting them equal rights to education, employment, healthcare and marriage – although India still does not allow same-sex marriages.

It’s hardly known how many trans people have married in India, or who was the first. Protesters say there was at least one transgender marriage legitimately registered before Srija and Arun’s- in 2018 a few married in Bangalore.

” Of course there are queer people, or transgender people, all over India”, says the chairman of Amma’s Pride, Shiva Krish, but because of continuing bias” some are mysterious about their marriage. Srija and Arun, and Valli, are distinctive in choosing to live their daily living out in the empty”.

Srija and Arun’s try to register their 2018 marriage was rejected, with the secretary arguing that the 1955 Hindu Marriage Act defined relationship as a union between a “bride” and a “groom”, which thus excluded trans people.

But the partners, backed by LGBT protesters, pushed back, taking their marriage into the open area. The work was for it.

They received international attention in 2019 when the Madras High Court in Chennai upheld their right to marry, stating that transgender people may become recognised as either a “bride” or “groom” as defined by the 1955 Hindu Marriage Act.

The decision was seen by LGBT protesters as a key step in the popularity of trans people in India, with Srija and Arun both becoming also known locally for challenging social standards.

But media coverage also invited negative scrutiny.

” The day after local news coverage, I was fired from my job”, says Arun, who worked as a manual labourer in the transport sector. He believes it was due to transphobia.

Online trolling followed.

” People sent abusive messages criticising me for being married to a transgender woman”, he says.

The couple briefly separated under the strain.

Despite this, Srija excelled at her education, frequently coming first in class at high school.

She went on to complete a degree in English literature from a university in Tamil Nadu, becoming one of the only people in her family to receive higher education.

It’s a source of pride for Valli, who left school aged 14.

Arun Kumar / BBC Two women sit on a couch, looking at each other and smiling. They are both wearing colourful patterned Indian clothing, a salwar kameez and a sari, Behind them are idols of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh.Arun Kumar / BBC

Even before battling to have her marriage recognised by the state, Srija and her family faced hostility and mistreatment.

After Srija came out as a transgender woman at the age of 17, she and her mother and younger brother, China, were evicted from their home by their landlord.

Several family members stopped speaking to them.

But Srija’s mother and brother were steadfast in their support.

” I will always stand by my daughter”, says Valli.

” All trans people should be supported by their family”.

Valli, who became a single parent when her husband died when Srija was just six, works in a kitchen at a school.

But despite earning a modest income, she helped pay for her daughter’s gender reassignment, in part by selling some of her jewellery, and cared for her afterwards.

” She takes good care of me”, Srija says.

‘ Hopefully mindsets will change’

There are thought to be about two million transgender people in India, the world’s most populous country, although activists say the number is higher.

While the country has passed trans-inclusive legislation and recognised in law a” third gender”, stigma and discrimination remain.

Studies have found transgender people in India face high rates of abuse, mental health issues, and limited access to education, employment, and healthcare. Many are forced to beg or enter sex work.

Globally, the UN says significant numbers of transgender people face rejection from their families.

” Not a lot of trans people in India, or even the world, have the support of their families”, says filmmaker, Shiva Krish.

” Srija and Valli’s story is unique”.

Srija says she hopes the film will help challenge stereotypes about trans people and the types of stories that are often promoted in the media about the group- especially those that focus on trauma and abuse.

” This documentary shows that we can be leaders. I am a manager, a productive member of the workforce”, Srija says.

” When people see new kinds of stories on trans people, hopefully their mindsets will also change”.

‘ I’d like to become a grandmother soon’

After premiering at international film festivals, Amma’s Pride was shown at a special screening in Chennai, for members of the LGBT community and allies, to mark International Trans Day of Visibility on Monday 31 March.

Following the Chennai screening, a workshop was held where participants in small groups discussed family acceptance and community support for trans individuals.

” We hope our screening events will foster connections between trans individuals, their families, and local communities”, adds Chithra Jeyaram, another one of the filmmakers behind Amma’s Pride.

The Amma’s Pride production team hope that the universal themes of family support in the face of stigma means the documentary and workshops can be rolled out to rural audiences, as well as other cities in India, and neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh.

As for Srija and Arun, they now work as managers for private companies and hope to adopt a child soon. ” We’re hoping for a normal future”, says Srija.

” I would like to become a grandmother soon”, Valli adds, smiling.

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Great Game On: Shining light on the contest for Central Asia – Asia Times

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The Founding Fathers advised Americans to steer clear of ensnaring relationships if they wished to keep their recently acquired Republic. This may be news to some of our legislators but not to President Donald Trump. No US senator has been leerier of the authoritarian foreign policy bequeathed to us by Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt than Trump. &nbsp,

Immune to the crony passion for “democracy tower” and “forever wars”, Trump lives in the realm of reality– no intellectual pseudo-reality. &nbsp, Trump has had enough of the “values-based” international plan that, in the matter of Ukraine, perhaps have brought us closer to thermonuclear war than at any moment since the Cuban missile crisis. &nbsp,

Unlike so many of his political opponents, Trump is not oblivious to the negative effects a misrepresented foreign policy could have on ordinary citizens, people, the nation at large and, for that matter, the earth. &nbsp, &nbsp,

With that in mind, and in view of the rising necessity of Asia, Geoff Raby’s fresh book –” Great Game On: The Battle for Central Asia and Global Supremacy” – is worth reading to get a better control on the history and current state of great power dynamics in Eurasia and Central Asia. Raby served as American Ambassador to China from 2007 to 2011.

He has done a company by focusing on Central Asia in view of its significant and growing value. The region encompasses Afghanistan, Inner Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang ( China ), and is more than 300, 000 square miles larger than the continental United States. That’s a major part of real property which the US ignores at its risk. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Raby – a largely non-ideological international policy specialist – deftly describes not only the 19th centuries Anglo-Russian” Great Game” but the evolving 21st century” New Great Game”, i. e., the great power competition for influence over Central Asia between China, Russia and, to a lesser extent, the United States. As such, he delves into the respective geopolitical ambitions of China and Russia in Eurasia over the past 100 years with a spotlight on Central Asia. &nbsp,

” The Principal Theater of Contest”

Raby argues that” Core Eurasia” – in other words, Central Asia – is” the principal theater of contest” between the great powers and that” the key pivots on the chess board are Afghanistan and Xinjiang” .&nbsp,

He has a point, but it’s also the case that Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with their massive reserves of natural resources, extensive trade routes – east-west and north-south – and welcoming attitude toward the outside world represent a stable setting in which the US can expand its economic ties. ( See: Time for a US pivot to Central Asia )

To his credit, Raby eschews the moralism of so many foreign policy gurus ( who rarely get around to considering morality ). Raby, from all indications, is a proponent of the realist school of politics.

He is concerned about national self-interest, security and power relationships rather than presumed ideological imperatives as the principal drivers of inter-state relations.

Raby’s treatment of the United States ‘ presence in Central Asia is skimpy – but that is telling in itself: Washington pays Central Asia scant attention, so there’s not much to write about. That should change under Trump.

Raby provides much-needed historical context without which it is impossible to understand the competition for influence in the region. He makes insightful, thought-provoking comments on the geostrategic thinking of the great powers in light of history– for example, Mackinder’s” Heartland” theory, i. e., “whoever controlled Central Asia would be the dominant world power”.

Helpfully, the author provides the reader with maps to navigate a vast region that could easily thwart even adepts at world geography. Thus, the reader can easily find Türkmenbaşy, Kashgar and the Wakhan Corridor as well as inner Mongolia, various mountain ranges and rivers and myriad other places unknown to most people. &nbsp,

And having traveled extensively in Central Asia, Raby provides a store of anecdotes that helps demystify the inscrutability and romance of these far-off lands and peoples. &nbsp, The book is extensively researched and footnoted – a sign of the author’s sober-mindedness.

Raby claims that China has emerged” as the primary Eurasian power” in the new age of multipolarity that is upon us, an increasingly recognized reality. &nbsp,

The US, though, should take this state of affairs in stride and deal with it not through any form or degree of belligerence or aggressiveness and ditch its usual moral preachments that historically have been the stock and trade of USAID, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other mouthpieces and instruments of liberal internationalist and globalist orthodoxy.

What Vice President JD Vance told the Munich Security Conference ( see his speech ) is also good advice for US policymakers: a little introspection is advisable. &nbsp,

Raby believes that” Great Powers can find a strategic accommodation without going to war … Options for finding strategic stability … are still worth pursuing” .&nbsp,

Nicely put – a vision that Trump’s State Department and the various Central Asian states share ( see this author’s &nbsp, Central Asian School of Diplomacy ) i. e., diplomacy is the smartest, most cost-effective way to resolve conflicts, defend national interests and avoid armed conflict. &nbsp,

Raby has recently suggested that China, for the first time in its history, feels secure along its Eurasian land frontiers and is now free to project power globally, a matter of some concern for those in the neighborhood.

Having said that, one way to address China’s resurgence, Raby suggests, might be for the West to engineer a so-called “reverse Kissinger”, i. e., entice Russia to “look West” and distance itself from China. &nbsp,

Only time will tell whether that is a real possibility, meanwhile, the West would be well-advised to understand Beijing’s geopolitical mindset and history as it confronts its growing ambitions.

Platitudes vs reality

Raby reminds the reader that the West should stop framing the Great Game as a contest between “democracy” and “autocracy” or” good guys vs bad guys” .&nbsp, Stated differently, the use of preachy, moralistic, diplomatic lingo is a non-starter. Certainly, it is a money-loser when dealing with China, Central Asia or most anyone else. Trump understands that.

Raby correctly states that” Russia’s trade with Central Asia is dwarfed by China’s” and” China has replaced Russia as Central Asia’s major source of foreign direct investment”. He sheds light on contested matters such as the “debt trap”, “debt sustainability” and the Belt &amp, Road Initiative.

But he might have pointed out that Central Asian governments are selective in their partnerships. They will not accept one-way investment deals that are perceived to have few long-term benefits for the country or, worse, inadvertently lead to geoeconomic subjugation.

To be sure, Central Asia wants win-win deals as well as free and fair trade – a mindset more in tune with Trump’s than with that of much of the American foreign policy establishment.

In case anyone missed it, Central Asian governments – whether you like them or not – want investors – whether Chinese, Indian or American – to make sensible, non-ideological cross-border long-term economic commitments to develop smart infrastructure connectivity and integration and create jobs and decent wages for families and the region’s growing populations. &nbsp, This vision is in line with Trumpian economic policy at home.

Sinostan

Without explicitly saying so, Raby does not appear to be optimistic about the US’s long-term prospects in Central Asia since China’s aim to absorb Central Asia – transform it into a veritable” Sinostan” – &nbsp, “is an advanced work in progress. But Russia and China will continue to look to each other for support in their contests with the United States and this will remain a strong point of convergence in their relationship” .&nbsp,

If true, all the more reason for the US government and business community to get in on the action in Central Asia, namely, expand trade relations and, more importantly, set up joint ventures that give US companies skin in the game. Toward this end, Trump’s State Department should grease the wheels.

If Washington doesn’t deliver soon on substance, Central Asians will continue to get the best infrastructure, logistics and mining deals ( critical metals and oil &amp, gas ) that China, Russia and others have to offer. This would be only logical if the US were to remove itself de facto from the equation.

For those eager to understand the historical and present-day ins and outs of great power competition in Central Asia, they would be well advised to read” Great Game On: The Contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy”. This would include policymakers. &nbsp,

If American ingenuity and creativity were to be introduced into the arena shorn of hidden political and/or woke agendas and offered Central Asia attractive win-win economic arrangements, the US would stand a good chance of not only staying in the ( great ) game but prevailing.

Javier M Piedra has 40 years of international banking and finance experience and was former acting assistant administrator, Bureau for Asia, USAID ( 2018 – 21 )

Alexander B Gray is former deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff, White House National Security Council ( 2019-21 )

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How long until America Inc revolts on Trump? – Asia Times

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I don’t think Donald Trump is a quietly Russian factory that the Kremlin hired to sabotage the United States ‘ economy and influence. But incredibly, Trump’s activities are often identical from what he might do if he&nbsp, were&nbsp, a foreign agent bent on death. This review some of his most recent moves.

First, there is yet another round of tariffs, this one for the automobile industry. This time Trump is putting&nbsp, 25 % tariffs on imported cars and car parts. These taxes will disrupt the whole US auto supply chain ( the Cato Institute has &nbsp, a great explanation on how this works, if you’re curious ), because many US vehicles use foreign elements and US-made pieces are frequently assembled into full vehicles across the borders.

Prices will increase for US producers, and prices will increase for American consumers. Consistently, American automakers saw big drops in their inventory prices:

Many of Trump’s supporters, of course, think that the suffering is only temporary, that US automakers will invest more in America and finally reap the benefits of the absence of foreign competition after a adjustment.

However, stock prices are prospective because when GM and Ford experience decline, it indicates that investors anticipate that their stocks will suffer no only temporarily but also over the long run. In other words, investors are not buying the” short-term pain for long-term gain” thesis.

The supply ring may be affected by the engine taxes, which will have repercussions everywhere. The cost of automobile plan will likely increase as well. And inland industries that provide the car industry, such as British steelmakers, &nbsp, may be hurt as well:

More than 600 Iron Range workers will lose their jobs as two Minnesota operations are temporarily shut down by Cleveland-Cliffs… [N] gross taxes on imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China are wreaking havoc in the British car market.

Trump’s taxes are harming all of the sectors that were intended to be protected.

The oil market — a long-time citadel of Republican help — may get hurt because well, because of the increased cost of cutting equipment. Tracy Alloway, from Bloomberg, is quoted as follows:

[ W]e’ve got to talk about the most recent energy survey from the Dallas Fed, whose turf covers a lot of the US oil patch. It’s definitely worth reading&nbsp, the whole thing&nbsp, but to sum it up, it’s full of private power executives complaining about how the novel Trump administration is creating enormous uncertainty for their business viz the back-and-forth on tariffs.

Oil rig counts are flat; “drill, baby, drill” is a distant memory.

Trump and his supporters simply have no idea how the industries that surround them, such as manufacturing, mining, drilling, and other ones, actually function. It’s all&nbsp, theory, no actual knowledge. Trump himself doesn’t even notice or care when reality doesn’t cooperate; instead, he simply lets the American people suffer as a result of his theory‘s failures.

Even Trump’s inner circle is beginning to feel irrational, with the exception of Peter Navarro, his economic guru. Here ‘s&nbsp, some reporting by Politico:

Even those closest to Trump have privately stated that they are unsure what the boss will do just days after his announcement of global tariffs on April 2 and have been granted anonymity because…

The issue Trump’s own advisers and Hill Republicans have is that the president doesn’t share their concern.Trump actually supports the protectionist policies being promoted by aides like Navarro, the long-term trade adviser, who Republicans almost universally despise. The president also believes that his tariffs are popular with voters…

One of the people close to Trump’s inner circle of advisers said,” The president isn’t looking at it like they are.” For him, if the economy is weak, then fine, the economy is weak because the president truly believes that it will rebound and that the nations will give in because they can’t withstand the pressure from the U.S. S”.

No 1, the president is not running for reelection, this person continued,” so where this may have been a political concern in his first term, it is no longer a political concern.” … And no 2, we’re likely to lose the House in the midterms.

The auto tariff move — which comes in advance of another huge wave of tariffs that’s expected to be&nbsp, announced on April 2&nbsp, — will only add to a growing attitude of economic pessimism. Following the announcement, the overall stock market&nbsp decreased. Sentiment is falling both among the wealthy and the poor:

Source: Heather Long

Crucially, this isn’t just “vibes”; Americans ‘ expectations for their own financial situation are now, close to the lows of 2022, when post-pandemic inflation was causing real incomes to decline:

Source: Heather Long

It’s not just that people expect tariffs to put them out of a job or put pressure on their wages. They also believe that, despite the decline of aggregate demand, the tariffs will lead to higher inflation. 5-year inflation expectations are rising, and survey-based expectations are rising:

And expectations might just be following reality here. The most recent inflation figures  appear to be quite alarming:

And here’s a table with a number of different inflation indicators, all of which increased by more than 3 % when taken only over the course of the first few months since Trump’s election:

Source: &nbsp, Jason Furman

What is Trump’s strategy for this? According to the Politico article, he basically has no plans to run for president because he is not running for president and his wacky theory and Peter Navarro, his one trusted economic advisor, are telling him that the long-term effects will be positive.

That’s one possibility. Another is that he will turn to the playbook that quasi-authoritarian leaders typically employ when threatened by inflation: price controls. It appeared that Biden might attempt to use price controls to stifle inflation on the&nbsp during the Biden administration, according to the advice of the Warrrenite progressives. But to his credit, he never did. Trump is currently making the same noises:

Trump warned the CEOs of some of the nation’s top automakers early this month that they better not raise car prices because of tariffs. Some of the executives were left rattled and worried that they would be punished if they raised prices, according to people with knowledge of the call.

Trump’s “warnings” and commands carry a lot more weight than Biden’s, because Trump is a lot more willing to use executive power to&nbsp, punish individual companies&nbsp, he doesn’t like. Real price controls would put the nation in danger of a catastrophic downward spiral of inflation, hoarding, “anti-hoarding,” and shortages.

All of this is, of course, set against a world of crass moves on a global scale. Trump continues to&nbsp, threaten to invade and conquer Greenland, with JD Vance&nbsp, especially pressing for this move. This additional piece of evidence should come as a disappointment to those who are still desperately looking for alternatives to the Mad King theory.

The country’s business community is beginning to realize that the country has elected a Mad King, despite Trump’s apparatchiks still bellowing&nbsp, that his tariffs will reindustrialize America.

They expected a replay of the laissez-faire policies of Trump’s first term — a lot of bombastic rhetoric but few real policy changes and a lot of small, quiet deregulatory moves. Instead, they received a completely different Trump this time, one who is determined to undermine the American economy in the name of ideology.

People on the Tech Right are starting to realize something similar. Here’s my friend&nbsp, Brian Chau, who is more frank and honest than most:

The American business community hasn’t yet experienced a&nbsp, preference cascade&nbsp. Anyone who speaks out against Trump is probably preventing them from sticking their neck out because of his willingness to target and punish wealthy individuals or individuals who criticize him.

And the memory of the Biden administration’s anti-business rhetoric, and the continued&nbsp, anti-business rhetoric&nbsp, emanating from both the Warrenite and Bernie wings of the Democrats, are probably still a deterrent as well.

It will take some time before the business world will turn to the Democrats when things start to get bad. What other options will businesses have if the Mad King’s madness continues to grow and things continue to get worse?

In any case, center-left Democrats who care about winning elections should be working feverishly to welcome businesses ( and rich people ) into their big tent. I hope that the recent embrace of Abundance liberalism marks the start of the era of the class-war effort.

The more quickly that change takes place, the more stable the environment will be for America. Hopefully, the damage to US prosperity can still be limited. Trump needs to be abandoned by business, and Democrats need to make more than one move to break up the coalition. However, it’s a crucial component of the puzzle.

This article was first published on Noah Smith’s Noahpinion&nbsp, Substack and is republished with kind permission. Subscriber or subscriber can sign up for Noahopinion.com.

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Commentary: If DEI were truly about real change, would it crumble this easily?

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FROM DIVERSITY TO INCLUSIVENESS

A major effect of political and social swings in the US is the decentralisation of DEI initiatives within international companies. As US-based businesses face increasing pressure to scale back their DEI initiatives, regional headquarters are taking a more localised method.

In many cases, these foreign branches are expanding their La strategies to coincide with regional cultural values, regulation requirements and workplace expectations.

For example, while cultural diversity has been a strong DEI focus in the US, several Asian companies prioritise factors such as economic mobility, language inclusion and intercultural accommodation. This positioning may indicate that one of the shortcomings of previous DEI efforts was their desire to use Western-centric systems worldwide without adapting to local realities.

Therefore, while La efforts may become contracting in the US, they are evolving in Asia and other parts of the world, with a key change being from variety to inclusiveness.

Variety features and honors differences- quite as culture, gender and culture- while equality goes a step further, fostering a sense of belonging for all. Inclusiveness ensures that anyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and essential to the area. Several businesses in Asia already get for an approach.

For example, Singapore is a very diversified culture with a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian cultural groups, along with a variety of religious communities- Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Hindus, to name a few.

Companies here often emphasise multicultural inclusivity, language policies and religious accommodations. Most local and even US firms operating in Singapore ensure that prayer rooms are available for Muslim employees and that company policies respect the diverse cultural festivals of different ethnic groups.

This suggests that companies that take a more holistic, culturally attuned approach to DEI may be better positioned to sustain their commitments regardless of political pressure, because their efforts are seen as necessary to business rather than reactive branding exercises.

Even if the DEI focus is on gender, Asian countries take a different approach to US firms. Japan, for example, has one of the lowest female workforce participation rates among developed countries. Still, instead of adopting Western-style gender quotas, companies there focus on work-life balance and parental leave policies to encourage women to stay in the workforce.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ rights may be central DEI priorities in Europe and the US, but Asia’s more conservative approach necessitates that DEI strategies be adapted to align with local cultural and societal norms.

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Singapore Tesla owners shrug off Elon Musk’s politics as new car registrations increase

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Spending NO HEED

None of these innovations bother Tesla user Alvin Khoo, who got his car in April last season. &nbsp,

” Elections are mega elements which only have a temporary impact on the brand”, said the 40-year-old, who runs two lived group companies. &nbsp,

” What matters are the intrinsic factors of the company- ( that ) it’s a good car with one of the best technologies, and it’s a very comfortable ride”, added the Tesla Model Y Long Range owner.

” That’s all that matters when I decide to buy the car” .&nbsp,

Agreeing, officer Malcolm Loh said there was no relationship between owning a Tesla and whatever landscapes one might have of its CEO. &nbsp,

” My choice of getting a Tesla had nothing to do with Elon at all, just like my choice of buying Apple iPhones over the years has nothing to do with Tim Cook ( Apple’s CEO )”, said the 58-year-old, who has owned a Tesla Model Y since 2022. &nbsp,

” For me, a product’s value for money is the most important consideration” .&nbsp,

While Tesla owners overseas appear to have been discriminated against,” thankfully no such actions have taken place here in Singapore”, he added.

Mr Loh said the company’s latest tumult could even be a blessing in disguise. &nbsp,

” The lesser demand for Teslas may result in the company reducing prices, so hopefully when the time comes to replace my Tesla with another one, it will be much more affordable” .&nbsp,

Another user in his 40s, who merely wanted to be known as Jason, said he didn’t worry about Tesla’s picture as a current owner. But he would have his worries when the time comes to buy his vehicle.

He’s planning to move to a Chinese EV manufacturer after facing some complex issues with his Tesla. &nbsp,

” View of the brand worries me only because of selling worth implications”, he said. &nbsp,

But Jason remained typically positive. &nbsp,

” I don’t believe Singaporeans are also affected by what goes on in the US… The Singapore car market is robust ( and ) I don’t foresee its resale value going lower than normal depreciation”, he said. &nbsp,

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Probe swings into action

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In: South-East Asia

Authorities call in people from SAO page

Rescue personnel on Sunday inspect the collapsed State Audit Office building in Chatuchak district, amid concerns over the quality of steel bars and other building materials used in the construction of the building. Apichart Jinakul
Rescue workers on Sunday inspect the fell State Audit Office creating in Chatuchak region, amid worries over the quality of metal bars and other building components used in the construction of the building. Apichart Jinakul

The state has launched an investigation to determine the reason of the decline of the 30-storey tower at the center of town recovery efforts following Friday’s collapse.

Detractors have questioned the requirements of a Chinese company involved, and raised fears over the quality of material and building materials used. An investigation team from the Ministry of Industry has collected samples of construction materials from the site of the collapsed State Audit Office ( SAO ) building in Chatuchak district, said Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen, secretary to Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, on Sunday.

The group is focusing on the quality of metal bars used in supporting material polls, beams and foundation structures in particular, as poor steel bars had had led to the collapse, said Mr Pongpol.

Poor metallic bars usually break, rather than bending to collect effective forces released by an earthquake, he added.

The ministry has recently taken legal action against up to seven companies producing and selling steel. They were all joint ventures of Thai and foreign companies, he said. The factories were closed after they were found to have produced and distributed substandard steel bars, which could have posed a threat to public safety, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in charge of the government’s rescue operation at the site, meanwhile, said an investigation is underway to first determine whether the design met standards. It would have to be earthquake-resistant as required under law. If the design turns out to be fine, the probe will then focus on other processes involved, he said.

Mr Anutin, also interior minister, insisted both the Thai and Chinese companies in the joint venture comprising Italian-Thai Development Plc and a subsidiary of China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, which was erecting the building, will be fully held accountable for the collapse and its consequences.

Since the SAO building was the only one in Bangkok which fell when the earthquake struck central Myanmar, with shockwaves sent to Bangkok, Mr Anutin said he believed any problems with the building would be identified and pinpointed.

In response to media reports about a group of men caught in action at the site, currently declared off-limits to outsiders, Mr Anutin said the probe committee would look into the matter. The men were said to have fled with document files. The panel, comprising senior engineers from Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning and other experts, expects to take a week to probe the collapse, he said.

Meanwhile, Bang Sue police on Sunday detained for questioning five Chinese nationals and one Thai interpreter and seized 37 document files for inspection.

Tipped off by someone who witnessed the suspicious presence of these people at a temporary office on the SAO building premises, police rushed to the scene but the group had already left. The only person they met was a Chinese national who identified himself as Liu Yang, director of the project.

He provided police information about the six people, who were then summoned to meet investigators. They reported themselves to authorities and came with the document files in question, which were handed over to the police.

Mr Anutin on Sunday welcomed Han Zhiqiang, the Chinese ambassador to Thailand, who asked him for permission to lead a group of Chinese disaster management experts to visit the Chatuchak rescue site. The Chinese experts found no need to offer additional advice as the Thai team working on site appeared knowledgeable of rescue operations, said Mr Anutin.

In another development, the SAO on Sunday responded to questions about its project. The office said it strictly adhered to regulations in finding an architectural designer, contractor and inspector.

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Hotlines open for building checks

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Checks for schools, hospitals, administration buildings’ accelerated’

PUBLISHED: 30 Mar 2025 at 10: 14

Cracks appear at a condominium building in Bangkok after the earthquake last Friday. (Photo supplied)
Fissures appear at a condo building in Bangkok after the disaster last Friday. ( Photo supplied )

The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning ( DPT ) has set up emergency hotlines for those seeking building inspections following the earthquake.

The ministry said it is working with the Council of Engineers, the Building Inspectors Association and volunteers engineers to quicken inspections mainly public buildings such as hospitals and schools.

On Friday, analyses were carried out at nine houses: three at Rajavithi Hospital, two at Phramongkutklao Hospital, and four at Lert Sin Hospital.

Checks are being planned for state-owned structures including those at the Commerce Ministry, the Interior Ministry, Government House, the Customs Department, and Chulabhorn Hospital.

The DPT has advised resort, condo, and shopping mall users to call registered building auditors to assess the structural integrity of their stores and contact the department via the emergency alerts for more ideas.

More than 2, 600 creating investigators are registered with the office.

Its statewide offices may set up cooperation centres to examine buildings and mobilise support from regional operational organisations and volunteer engineers.

In Bangkok the DPT and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) will plan building inspections based on reports submitted via the BMA’s Traffy Fondue application.

The agency’s building inspection guide is accessible across all programs and the public is urged to call the helpline at 02-299-4191 and 02-299-4312 around the clock for help.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday the checks would handle people concerns about safety as reviews of harm from the disaster come. He even warned creating operators who fail to address safety issues may face severe legal actions.

However, the Thai General Insurance Association and the insurance industry is urging the public to review the details of their healthcare plans to see if they include coverage for earthquake-related problems.

If insurance is included, they should immediately contact their insurance firms to survey damage and maintain fast settlement.

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Probe ordered into shocking building collapse

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PUBLISHED: 30 Mar 2025 at 05: 46

Search and rescue workers and equipment are deployed at the collapse site at the new compound of the State Audit Office in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on Saturday. Pornprom Satrabhaya
Search and rescue personnel and technology are deployed at the decline page at the novel element of the State Audit Office in Chatuchak area, Bangkok, on Saturday. Pornprom Satrabhaya

The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning ( DPT ) has been ordered to conduct a thorough investigation into the collapse of the State Audit Office’s building during the earthquake.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a press interview that a council will identify the cause of the fundamental failure and report back within a year.

The investigation will study the building’s design, the power that approved the design, how it was approved and whether any of these elements led to the collapse, she said.

Mr Paetongtarn even echoed public concern as to why this tower collapsed but another, similar structures remained unchanged.

” I watched many videos of the tower decline from different angles. From my experience in the construction business, I have never seen an problem like this. We must research carefully because a significant portion of the funds was allocated, and the date for execution had been extended”, she said.

The business was a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Plc and a company of China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, which operates under the state-owned China Railway Engineering Corporation ( CREC )– one of the world’s largest construction and engineering companies.

Users were quick to point out that the company’s comments about the fell creating have all been deleted, despite the framework having been completed on March 31 next year.

However, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said firefighters are being hampered by dust and insisted that their activities are not slower.

He did, however, concede that the 24-hour level, known for being the place where the odds of finding individuals after a disaster drops quickly, has passed.

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