Trump’s return will change Asia’s trade game – Asia Times

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Donald Trump’s election win is creating new financial relationships for Asia, bringing both confusion and tactical opportunities. &nbsp,

Trump’s policies, generally known for prioritizing strong British benefits, are now raising concerns across Eastern markets, where trade, investment and political stability could all be significantly affected. &nbsp,

Trump’s re-election is likely to sign a return to heightened business conflicts, particularly with China. His past leadership set a precedent by imposing severe tariffs on Chinese goods, citing trade imbalances and fears about intellectual property.

The charges, which swelled into a trade war in large numbers, disrupted global supply chains and shook up industries that depend heavily on US-China business. &nbsp,

Trump is anticipated to revise or expand this strategy. On the campaign trail, the businessman-cum-politician frequently said he would impose 60 % tariffs on all Chinese goods and 20 % on all other nations ‘ imports.

If fully implemented, this threats risks China as well as other Asian countries whose supply chains are tied together.

A new trade war, in the eyes of China, would only add to the financial strains it is already experiencing due to a lingering house crisis and a weak domestic economy, which have raised doubts about whether it will be able to meet its 5 % GDP growth target.

The past Trump administration’s taxes pressured China to reassess its business methods, pushing it to get deeper regional partnerships.

China can be expected to look to expand its industry alliances in Asia further, especially within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP ) free trade bloc, if these taxes are increased or more stringent laws are implemented.

The shift could lessen its dependence on US markets, leading to a more cohesive and dependent Asian trade bloc, and easing the impact of revived tariffs on the country’s crucial export market.

Under Trump 2.0, smaller economies in the region that serve as intermediaries between the world’s two largest markets in terms of business are also likely to experience a more difficult setting. &nbsp,

Places like Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, which benefited from various benefits from the last trade war’s producing shifts, may experience additional risks if tariffs continue to stifle supply chains.

Additionally, they run the risk of receiving tariff-sensitive items because their products are shipped from a factory elsewhere.

In response to the business tensions, these nations may be able to produce more products, but the confusion of sustained demand may restrict capital outflows, potentially putting off long-term growth and investment.

In addition, Japan and South Korea might have to make proper choices about how to deal with China and America. Both countries are important US allies and depend heavily on imports, especially in high-tech areas like automotives and semiconductors. &nbsp,

With Trump’s renewed effort to reintroduce high-value manufacturing employment to the US, Japanese and South Korean companies that export to the US may experience additional taxes or pressure to move production to fresh American companies.

Both nations will struggle to balance their ties with China, their largest trading partner, and the US, a vital safety alliance, as competition grows to keep the US as a vital business.

Tech issues

In the software industry, Trump’s plans are expected to continue restricting Chinese exposure to US high-end systems, impacting Chinese technology firms like Huawei. &nbsp,

With the result of these limitations, Chinese companies have already been forced to look for alternatives in Asia, which could lead to an increase in modern technology in the region.

China has responded by investing a lot in its domestic semiconductor sector, but the restrictions on sharing technology may cause the differences between nations to grow and make Asian countries choose to take sides in a technical battle. &nbsp,

With more powers putting pressure on nations like Taiwan, which has a strong position in the semiconductor sector, export restrictions or expansions could become more difficult. This could create an environment in which corporate industries can become battlegrounds for power and control.

Under Trump, as traders react to changes in trade relations and international capital flows, the price of the currency areas in Asia may experience significant fluctuations. &nbsp,

On the horizon, Beijing might start implementing capital controls or other measures to maintain the yuan as a result of increased tension.

In addition, emerging Asian currencies may experience uncertainty if taxes or trade restrictions cause their exports to decline, making these nations more prone to cash outflows. Having said that, the current perhaps even present an opportunity for some Asian nations to boost exports as the money rises.

As a result of Trump’s policies, funding flows into Asia may be affected. This could lead to pressure on American businesses to relocate their operations there.

Asia may initially face challenges as a result of this money duplication, especially if Washington implements tax incentives or other measures to encourage more regional growth. &nbsp,

However, if Asia’s economies continue to shift toward consumer-driven models and digital economies, they could attract a new wave of foreign investments that are unrelated to American investments.

Even with shifting US priorities, these markets may still be appealing to international investors because of the favorable demographics and growing middle class in many Asian countries and the spread of digital infrastructure.

While Trump’s second presidency may erect new hurdles and barriers for Asia’s export-geared and investment-dependent economies, the region’s adaptability and integration should allow for resilient responses.

The region could have a foundation to successfully deal with shifting policy directions from a more protectionist administration in Washington thanks to Asia’s extensive trade networks, expanding technological capabilities, and shifting alliances.

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What can Singapore expect from a second Trump presidency? Analysts weigh in

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Effect OF US-CHINA RIVALRY

Mr Trump is expected to triple down on business restrictions on key technology, especially on Beijing’s exposure to electronics.

Southeast Asian nations like Singapore and neighboring Malaysia have benefited from the shift as firms expand their supply chains and manufacturing operations outside of China.

Dr. Ang expressed caution against being wary because Mr. Trump’s aggressive attitude on China could lead to similar treatment and trade restrictions for countries and businesses with significant Chinese investments.

” It promises rewards for the place, but there’s also con as the US prepares to scrutinise some of these provide bars”, he said.

According to Mr. Chen, Trump’s threat to impose common taxes and import taxes on China will send shockwaves through the region. There is also a possibility that he will use it as a bargaining chip to try to pressure other nations into the stand.

Local SECURITY AND Military

According to researchers, the region’s political tensions, especially those in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, are expected to rise.

Mr. Chen expressed his expectation that Mr. Trump’s positions in national safety would be filled with aggressive loyalists.

“( This ) would raise tensions in the region, hopefully not to the level of a conflict, but we’ve got to be prepared”, he added.

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Protectionist moves like iPhone 16 ban could help Indonesia gain investments, but risk backfiring: Analysts

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Overcome LOCAL BUSINESSES ‘ UNDERLYING PROBLEMS, EXPERTS SAY

In recent years, Indonesia has seen a sharp decrease in its middle-class people from the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, which left some businesses and factories shuttered. &nbsp,

According to experts, Mr. Prabowo has promised to build 19 million jobs, and the best way to do that is by attracting more foreign investment to revive its lagging manufacturing industry. &nbsp,

According to experts, the best course of action is to press companies to participate by putting up tariffs and trade bans.

ByteDance reportedly started cutting about 450 work at its Indonesian e-commerce shoulder starting in June after combining its TikTok Shop and Tokopedia. The decline makes up about 9 per share of the leg people, Bloomberg reported.

” To bring purchase, policy persistence is vital. According to Mr. Faisal of CORE, unfair treatment should not be used against both domestic and foreign investors regardless of the government’s coverage. &nbsp,

By creating infrastructure like ships and streets, he said, Indonesia needs to train its workforce, eliminate bureaucracy, and lower the cost of shipping goods across the great island.

It needs to address the core issues that prevent local goods from competing with cheap imported products and safeguard Indonesia’s MSMEs, who make up 97 % of the country’s gross domestic product and use 97 percent of the workplace. &nbsp,

According to Mr. Bhima of CELIOS,” the issues ( faced by ) SME business actors in Indonesia are not only opposition with imported goods but also large lending rates, a relative skill gap for SME people, low quality control, and weak shipping prices.” &nbsp,

” Rather than carrying out baseless protectionism, the government should solve ( these ) fundamental problems”.

High tech costs and limited economic support, according to the Asian Development Bank, have created a challenge for Indonesia’s small business operators. &nbsp,

There are options for Indonesia, according to Dr. Siwage from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in adapting to the experiences of a global online marketplace where customers can purchase goods at competitive prices from overseas.

Dr. Siwage cited the success of native e-commerce systems Tokopedia and Bukalapak, both of which are now regarded as “unicorns” – start-ups valued at over US$ 1 billion. He said the nation could make a better environment for more nearby start-ups to develop. &nbsp,

“( Indonesia ) should design policies and incentives for foreign investors to collaborate with local investors”, he said, noting that Tokopedia’s merger with TikTok Shop could be a business model for other companies. &nbsp,

SOME CONSUMERS BURNT BY phone 16 Swindlers

Many people are currently looking for the products on the black market or abroad, which could result in millions of dollars in sales tax in Indonesia as a result of the restrictions on the phone 16 and Google Pixel telephones. &nbsp,

Indian economy ministry official Febri Hendri said that as of final quarter, 9, 000 phone 16 products have entered Indonesia. &nbsp,

The devices were purchased elsewhere, and they are currently being used solely by individuals. Mr. Febri stated that his office will work to ensure that the phones wo n’t be resold and will be sold on the Indonesian market. &nbsp,

The cheapest iPhone 16 is priced at about S$ 1, 299 ( US$ 994 ) in Singapore, according to Apple. If Indonesian customers want to buy the phone into their nation, they will have to pay an additional US$ 135 in import duties.

Soon after the restrictions on October 25, Indonesian e-commerce sites were flooded with customers claiming to be selling the new phone. &nbsp,

Mr. Febri claimed that the government had requested that these sites stop these offers, and many of them have accepted. &nbsp,

We advise consumers to avoid purchasing an iPhone 16 from illegal online retailers and marketplaces. We will act on any details regarding the sale and purchase of the phone 16,” Mr. Febri said in a statement on November 1. &nbsp,

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Singapore-linked 5G operator chosen independently, does not breach good governance: Malaysia Communications Minister

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Mr Fahmi, quoted by The Edge, added that the selection process was entirely managed by the MCMC, and clarified that it was conducted through a “beauty contest” approach, not a strong prize. &nbsp,

In Malaysia, the highest international holding permitted for a community service provider is 49 per cent, he said. &nbsp,

Meanwhile, U Mobile is already committed to reducing foreign holdings to 20 per cent, which Mr Fahmi raised in parliament. 

The mobile network operator’s announcement to reduce its foreign majority shareholding to 20 % from the current 48.3 % will give rise to greater Malaysian control, the mobile network operator had announced in a media statement on November 2.

Currently, state-owned 5G operator, Digital Nasional Bhd ( DNB), is the country’s primary 5G provider. &nbsp,

Mr. Fahmi added that good management was not in conflict with U Mobile’s picture on DNB’s board of directors. &nbsp,

According to Mr. Fahmi, as quoted in The Edge,” The previous management decided to allow mobile network operators to listen to stock in DNB, giving them board representation.”

It reported that now, U Mobile and three different companies — CelcomDigi, Maxis, and YTL Power International Bhd each carry a 16.3 per cent interest in DNB, with the Ministry of Finance holding 34.88 per share. &nbsp,

In a press release on November 6, MCMC stated in a statement that the selection of U Mobile was based on a number of factors, including the company and specialized ideas submitted, as well as its level of customer satisfaction and issue costs. &nbsp,

The declaration read,” their significant contribution to the Universal Service Provision tasks such as Jendela Phase and the 4G changing job,” which Mr. Fahmi once again reiterated in congress. &nbsp,

The Jendela plan was created to improve the quality of the bandwidth knowledge and expand coverage.

Mr Fahmi but did not explain why U Mobile’s charge was selected over another companies, somewhat Maxis and CelcomDigi.

CelcomDigi has over 20 million users while U Mobile simply has more than 8.5 million members, according to the official websites of both users. &nbsp,

Maxis has over 12 million subscribers, according to its 2023 annual review.

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Construction sector urged to take 2-week safety timeout after 10 fatal incidents from July to October

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In light of recent fatalities in the market and the future festive season, construction companies have been urged to start a two-week security timeout. &nbsp,

The Ministry of Manpower ( MOM) stated on Thursday ( Nov. 7 ) that the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce and industry associations” strongly encourage companies in the construction sector to start a safety timeout from Nov 8 to Nov 22.” &nbsp,

The government stated in its news release that the industry saw 10 deadly incidents between July and October, describing the current achievement of the construction industry as” concerning.” &nbsp,

This” suggests a reduced focus” on working safety and health in the market.

Additionally, with the upcoming holiday season, it is crucial that the field stay alert and uphold safety requirements as companies may rush to meet dates before employees leave for home, said MOM. &nbsp,

Companies are” highly motivated” to conduct a safety timeout for senior management to engage with site team and staff, review safety procedures, and tackle safety issues. &nbsp,

Based on recent fatalities, MOM recommended three areas for businesses to target the security delay on: workers who were struck by falling objects, automotive safety, and safe raising and rigging activities.

Between 2022 and 2023, automotive situations were the leading cause of fatal workplace injury.

The health timeouts will increase public understanding of critical areas of concern and strengthen health protocols and guidelines for both contractors and subcontractors, according to MOM.

Public sector organizations” did lead by example and enlist their employees to carry out safety checks at their sites,” the statement continued. &nbsp,

The government has furthermore ramped up audits in higher-risk sectors, including design, since October. &nbsp,

Enforcement activity, including&nbsp, charges, stop-work orders and constitutional penalties, may be taken against companies or individuals found undermining health regulations, it said. &nbsp,

A 55-year-old Foreign construction worker was killed on October 21 when she was struck by a metal gate body at a Yishun job site.

In the same quarter, a&nbsp, 38-year-old Bangladeshi worker&nbsp, died at a Housing and Development Board job webpage along McNair Road after he was struck by a concrete masonry drain stream that was being lifted by an archaeologist.

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How China plans to rule the world in AI – Asia Times

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This content was first published by Pacific Forum. It is republished with authority.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, said in 2017 that “whoever takes the crown in this realm will rule the world.” He was speaking to some kids about the risks of any nation monopolizing developments in artificial intelligence.

In our present political environment, the United States and China appear to be focusing on AI as the fresh front-runner in the great power fight. This is obvious from the increased amount of AI activities, policies, and actions the two nations have engaged in late.

While the US’s and the EU’s actions on AI have been a regular part of media coverage, the first complete law on AI, the EU’s, have not been properly noted, aside from in-depth scientific analyses that are frequently difficult for the layperson to access or biased coverage that does not do justice to the scientific content of China’s strategies.

This article will cover China’s strategy for influencing AI management and growth on a global level while remaining limited to what is contained in China’s papers on AI while providing some framework where necessary.

It will provide insight into how China intends to utilize AI in its pay for international influence. Ideally, this will tell the discussion on global AI governance in the general public and function as a resource for experts and policymakers working on global AI developments.

Understanding China’s strategy may assist other actors in leadership and AI developments in general in preparing and responding appropriately. It is important that the earth keeps an eye on China seeing that it is very motivated to result in the new century of Artificial Intelligence and that whatever China does is affect us all.

The ways in which China intends to dominate the world through AI are summarized in the following. These were derived from a review of , China’s top AI plan documents , and a relevant analysis, with an emphasis on obvious representations of China’s method for influencing AI management worldwide and its strategies for dominating AI improvements at an international level.

Recognizing AI as a corporate technology for competing at a global stage

China recognizes that AI has implications for national security, and uses it as a proper technology for advancing its position among the most ingeniously competitive nations of the world.

In the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan ( NGAIDP ) of 2017, the People’s Republic of China ( PRC ) made note of the increasing complexity that China faces in terms of national security and international competition in a rapidly emerging world. It therefore recommended that China “must, looking at the world, take the development of AI to the national strategic level with systemic layout, take the initiative in planning, firmly seize the strategic initiative in the new stage of international competition in AI development, “&nbsp, to create

China seems to have recognized the transformative impacts of AI techniques across cultures and markets and is seeking to place itself carefully. By adopting a properly planned approach to AI that aims to create competitive advantages in new markets while also using AI to defend its national security interests, the PRC aims to become a “global science and technology power.”

Keeping up knowledge of one’s strengths and weaknesses

In its bid to utilize AI for global profitability, China looks to strengthen its areas of strength. The NGAIDP took note of this:

China has made significant progress in the field of AI as a result of many years of constant accumulation, with the number of global scientific and technological papers published and the number of patents ranked second in the world, while also achieving significant breakthroughs in some of the most important areas of technology.

The PRC went on to list different areas of China’s scientific leadership and accomplishments, like as voice recognition, physical recognition, professional and service robots, smart monitoring and biological identification.

China, however, appears to be open-minded about its abilities and acknowledges the areas where it needs to improve. The PRC pointed out that despite China’s accomplishments in the fields listed, there is still a gap between, in the eyes of China, and other developed nations that are particularly concerned about achieving significant original results in fields like basic theory, core algorithms, key equipment, high-end chips, and more.

China looks to address these and other areas through urgently improving basic infrastructure, policies, regulations, and standards systems.

identifying opportunities and monitoring global trends in AI development

China does n’t take the risk of stumbling over its approach and dumping its resources wherever it wants to go in order to realize its AI plans. Instead, the PRC looks to be opportunistic and utilizing-maximizing. China will “accurately grasp the global development trends of AI, find the appropriate openings for breakthroughs and directions for the main thrust,” according to the NGAIDP.

The PRC intends to closely monitor global AI developments through R&amp, D initiatives and studies that evaluate general trends. By capitalizing on opportunities revealed in crucial areas by trendwatching, China hopes to lead the world by setting the trend itself.

gaining the advantage of the first-mover

The phrase “first-mover advantage” is a recurring phrase in China’s AI policy documents. This is indicative of the PRC’s intent to drive novel discovery and application of AI systems. The Ministry of Education released the 2018 Artificial Intelligence Action Plan for Institutions of Higher Education ( Action Plan ) to help with this goal. One of the goals of the Action Plan was stated as follows:” That China can gain a first-mover advantage in the development of artificial intelligence.”

The implication of this is that China preconceives that certain benefits of AI will only accrue to first-movers and it works towards realizing these.

consciously distributing resources

According to them, money makes the world revolve. AI is no exception and China understands this. China will “fully use existing finances, bases, and other such stored resources,” according to the NGAIDP, and it will “fully plan the allocation of international and domestic innovation resources.”

The PRC intends to use policy incentives to inform its use of inputs from its financial administration experts, aiming to make the best use of its resources for pursuing innovation on a global scale.

Therefore, to realize its vision of being a global science and technology power, China is prioritizing a conscientious allocation of its financial and other resources in its domestic and international policies.

achieving technological and theoretical advancements in AI

Basic science funding is typically a subject of negative effects when budget cuts are made in many nations because the returns are frequently not immediately apparent or applicable. However, China has identified this area as a critical area that will inform its capacity to develop world-leading AI systems and drive its economic ascent to global power.

By 2025, China will have significant advances in fundamental theories of AI, with the NGAIDP predicting that AI will become the main driver of China’s industrial upgrading and economic transformation.

China’s ambitions are further exemplified in the Action Plan, which states that it will “make a number of original achievements of international significance” and “demonstrate a world-class level in some theoretical research, innovative technology, and application.”

By achieving groundbreaking progress in new-generation AI theory and technology systems, China hopes to contribute to AI applications in fields such as intelligent manufacturing, intelligent medicine and national defense construction, all of which it expects will greatly expand and strengthen its economy.

And the results are already arriving. China has filed the most AI patents since 2020, leading the world in terms of publication figures, and as of 2022, it has filed the most. These results are also aided by China ‘s&nbsp, expanding domestic market and AI-promoting privacy-weak regulations.

promoting globalization and entering global markets

China hopes that the cumulative effects of its AI-related theoretical and technological advancements will have a bigger impact on global markets. The NGAIDP predicted that China will achieve “world-leading levels” in AI theories, technologies, and applications by 2030, making it the&nbsp, “world’s primary AI innovation center”.

The PRC hopes that having concrete results from the use of AI in sophisticated society and economic arrangements will lay the foundation for its rise to economic dominance among the most creative countries on the world stage. China is also determined to actively support its domestic AI businesses and brands to achieve a global leading status and facilitate international cooperation with leading foreign AI companies and research institutes.

The” Internet ” Artificial Intelligence Three-Year Action and Implementation Plan ( Internet Plan ) detailed China’s plan to

encourage cooperation with the relevant nations to improve the R&D and use of AI technology, integrate domestic and international innovation resources, and strengthen the industry’s ability to innovate globally and remain competitiv. We will assist relevant industry associations, industry alliances, and business service organizations in developing service platforms and providing international cooperation and overseas innovation services to innovative companies in the AI field. &nbsp,

China also wants to increase its influence on global AI developments by collaborating with other member nations in the” One Belt, One Road” initiative, a foreign policy initiative to increase its global footprint by funding infrastructural, trade, and investment projects around the world, and obtaining foreign AI investments in research and development.

investing in education and the talent pipeline

Talent is a critical element and resource for AI developments and China recognizes this in its plan for global influence in AI. This is particularly crucial given China’s growing brain drain and the country’s increasing talent shortage, many of whom are leaving the country as a result of undemocratic political and social conditions.

The NGAIDP provides specifics on how China addresses what it sees as a strategic weakness in its AI strategies. By prioritizing the” construction of a high-end talent team” the PRC seeks to build a talent base both by improving its AI education system and by hunting for the “world’s top talent and young talent”.

It aims to accomplish this by setting up personnel training centers, conducting research collaborations with the top AI research institutions in the world, receiving technical advice from top AI talent from abroad, supporting academic exchanges abroad and technical exchanges, and using talent schemes like the” Thousand Talents” plan.

By 2030, colleges and universities will be the main force behind the construction of the world’s main AI innovation centers, according to the Action Plan, and they will be the ones to create a new generation of AI talent. This will give China the scientific and technological support and guaranteed talent to place it at the top of the list of innovation-oriented nations.

In light of this, institutions of higher education are encouraged to adapt their curricula to be responsive to cutting-edge developments in global science and technology, create additional AI-related majors that address industrial demand nationally and regionally, cross-integrate professional education for AI with other disciplines and create world-class teaching materials.

influencing global governance and standards

China is no longer content to take directions and follow the rules on AI made by its Western counterparts. Instead, it now wants to actively participate in and even take the lead in developing international standards for AI.

In the NGAIDP, the PRC stated that it would play a bigger role in global AI governance. China looks to focus on studying major problems common to the international community, such as robot alienation and safety supervision, and improve its collaboration with other countries to develop AI laws, regulations, and international rules to” jointly cope with global challenges”.

The PRC intends to support its domestic AI businesses in their efforts to contribute to or take the lead in the development of technical standards abroad, even as they promote their AI goods and services there. The Action Plan also details how China’s education strategy affects international standards and laws.

By encouraging Chinese scholars to occupy influential positions in international academic organizations and supporting them as they actively take part in drafting international AI regulations, the PRC believes it can influence many international AI spaces with Chinese initiatives and standards.

Finally, China’s Internet Plan expressed its intention to support its relevant departments, research institutions, standardization organizations, industry organizations, and businesses in working with, among others, the International Organization for Standardization ( ISO ), to establish mechanisms for standards exchange and cooperation.

The PRC stated in full that it would continue to support the export of Chinese AI standards to the world and continue to strengthen our standing internationally. Obviously, China is going all out to rewrite the rules.

At the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Olajide Olugbade studies science and technology policy with a minor in international affairs.

His research areas include the global dynamics of emerging technologies, ethics and governance, innovation politics, and innovation ecosystems. He can be contacted at&nbsp, oolugbade3@gatech .edu.

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With falling interest rates, have T-bills and savings bonds lost their allure?

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Additionally, Mr. Thum cited items from online banks and financial institutions like Stashaway, GXS, Singlife, and Syfe, which have interest charges that are close to 3 %.

” The biggest beneficial is that these are all incredibly low risk purchases”, he said, adding that the minimum sum is as low as S$ 100 for some items.

According to Mr. Ray Zheng, a client advisor at Providend, owners should find out where their money is actually going with fixed payments or several money. The earnings on products offered by financial institutions may be attractive.

Alfred Chia, the CEO of SingCapital, noted that some businesses may use this technique to generate higher profits. Buyers need to be aware of what the long-term results may actually get.

ALTERNATIVES WITH HIGHER LIQUIDITY

For buyers looking for items without lock-in intervals, fixed income resources and money market funds are two possible solutions, according to Mr Zheng of Providend.

The first is a collection of investment-grade ties, while the second is a collection of short-term fixed payments managed by a fund manager.

Both are extremely wet, so buyers can typically withdraw their money as needed.

A least BBB rating on investment grade bonds indicates that the lender is financially positioned to pay attention to investors.

” Ties and fixed income are generally considered to be low-risk equipment”, said Mr Zheng, noting that they are less dangerous than other asset classes like stocks.

” When businesses are over, bonds or fixed income lose less than securities”, he said.

Comparing strong bonds or fixed payments to set money funds and money market funds, maximum investment amounts are usually lower.

But, Mr. Zheng noted that these funds may be more difficult to understand and less clear than bonds or fixed payments, which are both more difficult to buy and understand.

Mr Alfred Chia, CEO of SingCapital, said there is potential for capital gains when owners buy a set salary account.

When interest rates fall, bond rates generally rise. Selling the tie for a higher price may have a positive impact on the investor.

He even said traders should consider shares in building a healthy, long-term investment.

” Come state for low-risk buyers, they may consider an investment portfolio made up of 80 per cent ties and 20 per cent equity”, he said.

When interest rates fall, the saving cost for firms is lowered. ” Companies that can handle well, they will be able to boost their profit, but finally, equity markets did do well”.

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‘Trump trade’ wins, Asia loses as risk factors surge – Asia Times

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It’s obvious Donald Trump’s big gain is a game-changer of epic sizes, from the harsh effect in Asian economies to the frantic press speculation about what lies ahead.

The declines in Chinese securities and the yuan only demonstrate how investors are quickly rearranging their strategies for addressing global financial risks and opportunities. The money surged on the news Trump scored a&nbsp, next term. US companies jumped, as did crypto prices. Provides on US Treasury securities shot higher, also.

The” Trump trade” that Asia has in mind is to take cover. A Trump 2.0 White House may certainly be more inward-looking, putting Asia’s export-oriented economy in harm’s way.

A large fire radius is present. Though aimed at China, Trump’s designed 60 % tariffs will destroy Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and another trade-driven markets. The aftermath on shipping flows could be unimaginable.

According to Dubravko Lakos-Bujas, a planner at JPMorgan,” a significant increase in tariffs would reflect the most significant departure in policy from the latest administration and possibly the largest source of volatility.” The current macro environment is significantly different from what it was eight years ago, when the business cycle was in its mid-cycle, when the Fed did n’t care about inflation, and when pro-growth 1.0 policies were simpler to implement and had a greater impact on the bottom line.

Trump’s win over Kamala Harris is more of a “black swans” occasion for Asia than a “gray one.” Unlike the past, the latter is a repetitive but doubtful results. A “gray swan”, though, does have its own&nbsp, serious consequences, too.

Unexpected effects might be a way to strengthen Xi Jinping’s influence in China. Trump may effectively strengthen it by attacking Beijing with such an aggressiveness that he essentially strengthens by compulsion to integrate with an Eastern economy with China at its core and not an America led by an uneven, mercantilist president who blames Asia for many of his country’s failings.

For Asia, the best-case situation is that Trump’s tax risks are more a negotiating strategy than a real accompli. In fact, Goldman Sachs economists predict that Trump may only establish 20 % tariffs on China and resist the urge to impose blanket charges on other countries.

Trump may turn the other means and impose taxes he has previously threatened to impose. Trump has already stated that there will be 100 % taxes on Mexican car exports.

How much is manufacturers in Japan and Korea hope to avoid such restrictions, especially given that Tesla’s CEO has Trump’s ear? At the very least, electronic vehicle charges will be stacked confidently against non-US manufacturers.

The&nbsp, financial challenges &nbsp, may be even greater. One is that a penny march that has already irritated Asia will take a turn. For years, the economy’s “wasteball” impulses have shook international markets. It has lured enormous waves of global capital west, disadvantaging emerging-market markets in specific.

The difficulty, explains Tom Dunleavy, a companion at MV Capital, is that emerging markets “rely strongly on assets and have debts in money”. The majority of business and debt is also based in dollars, along with fuel. And he says that” the ratio of everything is going up.”

Regardless of the dubious reasoning behind it, the more packed a continued-dollar-strength business becomes as the result of the global fallout when depressed punters flee for their exits. And Trump was serve up some such situations.

Though Trump’s tariffs get the headlines, Asia is extremely worried about what his next president may mean for the Federal Reserve, the keeper of the world’s top supply money.

Trump put the techniques on the Fed during his 2017-2021 stay in the White House. Jerome Powell sabotaged his hand-picked Fed chair, and he went after him frequently. In 2019, Powell bowed to unrelenting force from&nbsp, Trump, who also threatened to fire him.

That’s how the world’s most powerful economic authority added liquidity to a flourishing business that did n’t need new substances. Trump’s Fed meddling set the stage for the post-Covid-19 price surge to come. It also tarnished the Fed’s credibility in global markets.

For Asia, Trump’s Fed policies are especially worrisome. The region’s central banks are armed with the largest stocks of US Treasury securities. Japan alone holds$ 1.1 trillion of US debt, China$ 770 billion.

Together, Asia’s largest holders of dollars own about$ 3 trillion worth. Trump 2.0 would put at risk vast amounts of Asian state wealth if his fiscal policies push Washington’s debt far above today’s US$ 35 trillion.

Not to mention the ways China might retaliate, leading to cycle of tit-for-tat trade curbs. Or might Beijing make a move to dump sizable amounts of Treasuries to punish the Trump 2.0 gang?

Or what if Trump’s designs on altering the Fed’s mandate come to pass? A key plank of the” Project 2025″ strategy that the Heritage Foundation devised for a&nbsp, second Trump term&nbsp, is watering down Fed independence.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Trump took shots at Powell and his fellow policymakers. ” I think it’s the greatest job in government”, Trump said. Everybody talks about you like a god when you say,” Let’s say flip a coin,” and you show up to the office once a month.

Trump also contends that the White House has every right to compel the Fed to do its bidding.

Trump once remarked in August that the Federal Reserve had “kind of got it wrong” ( very interesting ). He went on to say that” I feel the president should have at least ]some ] say in there, yeah. I feel that strongly. I think that, in my case, I made a lot of money. I was very successful. And I believe I have a better instinct than those who, in many cases, would be chairman of the Federal Reserve.

This could put the Fed’s economic role closer to that of the People’s Bank of China.

To be sure, the concept of central bank independence has been muddied. Take the&nbsp, Bank of Japan, which has held interest rates at or near zero for 25 years. What truly self-governing central bank would do that?

Yet the Fed is a different story. The dollar serves as the foundation of global finance and trade. Trump frequently discussed using a weaker dollar to gain a competitive advantage during his first term. Any policy change that undermines confidence in the US government and the dollar makes the world system shakier.

A weaker dollar could fan inflation. That, on top of Trump’s tariffs, could put the Fed in a very tough spot as Trump looks over Powell’s shoulder. Economists are frantically debating how all of this might turn out.

” On the US dollar, Trump wants to revitalize US manufacturing and exports”, says Will Denyer, an analyst at Gavekal Research. He may try to manipulate the dollar lower because he recognizes that the strength of the US dollar is an obstacle to these goals.

However, Denyer says, “he has few good options. Given how dependent the US government and companies are on foreign capital today, it is difficult to use capital controls to deter foreign inflows. And if Fed chair Jay Powell persists until the end of his term in May 2026, leaning on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates wo n’t be simple in the near future.

Trump might try to use the threat of tariffs as a negotiating tactic in an effort to revalue their currencies, Denyer adds. However, it is doubtful whether multilateral or even broader economic policy changes will significantly weaken the US dollar in the absence of broader economic policy shifts.

This, Denyer concludes,” will leave Trump to hope that continued disinflation allows the Fed to cut rates, weakening the US dollar. However, there is a sizable probability that loose fiscal policy and sticky inflation will keep&nbsp, monetary policy&nbsp, relatively tight, supporting the US dollar and confounding Trump’s aim of weakening the currency”.

Another irrational possibility: whether Trump will continue to flirt with defaulting on US debt. He declared to CNBC in 2016 that he would “know that you could make a deal” if the economy crashed. And if the economy was good, it was good. So, therefore, you ca n’t lose”.

Trump considered canceling Beijing’s debt while serving as president for the first time in light of trade tensions. With the US national debt twice the size of Chinese gross domestic product, it’s easy to see how that would make the 2008″ Lehman shock” seem quaint by comparison.

Asian assets are also weighed by the threat of geopolitical conflict. One example is what a Trump 2.0 foreign policy team might have for Taiwan.

Trump’s return is music to Vladimir Putin’s ears, giving the Russian leader greater scope to commandeer&nbsp, Ukraine&nbsp, once and for all. Compared with US President Joe Biden’s administration, Trump also seems less likely to come to Taipei’s defense if China moved against the island of&nbsp, 23 million people.

Asia investors will also keep their bets guessing about the direction US policies in the Middle East will take. Trump, for instance, might give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more freedom to fight the conflict in Gaza. He’s also likely to tighten sanctions on Iran, adding fresh uncertainty to oil supply dynamics and, by extension, energy prices.

” Conceptually, the impact of a potential second Trump term on oil prices is ambiguous”, says commodity researcher Yulia Zhestkova Grigsby at Goldman Sachs.

As Trump 2.0 assumes power, other issues will concern Asian governments. Japan and Korea are concerned that Trump’s “grand bargain” trade agreement with Xi leaves other top Asian nations staring in from the distance.

All that’s clear, though, is that there will be fewer guardrails or inhibitions as Trump seeks to “make America great again” at Asia’s expense.

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Breaking away from commission-based fees, Mereka opts for subscription model for its talent marketplace of experts

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  • Charging regular cost of US$ 20 for piano, &nbsp, US$ 40 for team
  • Model is expected to remove the need for skill to keep the platform&nbsp, &nbsp,

Rashvin, co-founder and CEO of Mereka making his pitch at the 2024 MBAN Summit held in KL in Sept.

” You are the one delivering the job, you should get paid the full amount for that work”, said Rashvin Pal Singh, team CEO of Mereka, an education tech company. &nbsp,

He refers to knowledge-based gig workers rather than delivery and rideshare, where the business models of platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are set to take a cut, ranging from 10 % to 20 % from each job the workers receive through the platforms. One platform, Toptal which connects businesses with software engineers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers, charges up to 40 %. &nbsp,

With the launch of its subscription-based skill marketplace platform in June, where talent do not have to give the platform for the number of work they get, Rashvin found this to be fundamentally unjust because” the person delivering the service is the expert, but the system as an entity takes a big slice of their income.” Rather users pay a US$ 20 ( RM88 ) monthly fee for individuals or US$ 40 ( RM176 ) for teams. ” You pay us for access, versus the other way around where you come on board the platforms for free, but they keep taking 20 % to 40 % of what you earn” .&nbsp,

Some points made by Rashvin.Mereka has launched an ownership fundraising strategy on pitchIN with the aim of raising RM1.5 million in addition to the launch of the skills system. As of 6 Nov, it has reached RM800, 700, primarily from existing owners from its 2018 battle that raised over RM1.6 million. &nbsp,

]RM1 = US$ 0.227]

The money will solve Rashvin’s two main issues. Finding the balance between having an impact and being equitable while simultaneously addressing its individual business needs is a high wire work, like all socially-driven effect companies. If the money is depleted, it will work as a security net.

The second is that a seven-person software team requires ongoing investment in software development in order to achieve long-term results as opposed to balancing cash circulation for the current year. &nbsp,

” We want to improve our technical advancement”, Rashvin said.

Having said that, Mereka has had a positive cash flow for the past three decades.

 

changing the subscriber type

To be sure, when the program initially launched in 2021, it did not begin with the subscription model. Although it provided career matching and training programs, it primarily served as a resource management platform that made it possible for users to book both the Mereka training programs and the huge makerspace’s rental facilities. Additionally, it partnered with Taylor’s University and a few TVET/vocational center in Kuala Lumpur to record their services for rent. &nbsp,

Because it posed the least obstacle to entrance and was the norm in the market, it decided to adopt the commission model. &nbsp,

Despite seeing 220, 000 learners access various courses ( from 2021 to 2023 ), 80 % of those who attended the Skills for Jobs Indonesia program with Mereka serving as implementing partners had a bad year.

Rashvin even noticed the problem with all programs that match gig workers to jobs, with employees leaving the platforms to deal with clients immediately. ” There was no commitment to the systems, but I understood this”, said Rashvin. The problem with transaction-based models is that once you start finding a few projects on the program, you will typically find a way to keep because you would like to avoid paying the fee per job.

The subscription design, which allows ability to retain all of their earnings, not only generates good publicity, but it also helps to foster loyalty and lessens the likelihood of talent wanting to deal with clients outside of their own country.

” We will also continue to add value to our customers by providing them with access to our university courses and putting them in work via our work board. We can stick to our motto, “Skills to Income,” by strengthening our brand and making the system more equal, said Rashvin.

The phrase “expert” is used to describe the skills is intentional because the market does not only target knowledge employees but also those who are experts in their fields, ex-craftsmen, even though this group only accounts for 5 % of the ability.

With the job market in Southeast Asia valued at US$ 3 billion, said Rashvin, Mereka is targeting to sign-up 50, 000 authorities on the software over the next eight years.
 

The discrimination in compensation between workers and knowledge-based job

Rashvin, a co-founder and CEO of Biji-Biji Initiative, was first exposed to the unfairness of compensating skills. Biji-Biji, a social organization founded in 2013 by some companions, focuses on sustainable development through education and technology in Malaysia.

During the first three years of Biji-Biji, although they were doing production work like woodworking, metal fabrication, handmade bags for women, the challenge faced was being valued as mere’ labor’ work. They were not being compensated fairly for what Rashvin claims was skilled labor that was being paid between RM100 and RM150 per day.

He only realized this when Biji-Biji began providing educational programs in 2015 and this realization only hit him. We realized that customers who were learning from instructors were receiving RM150 to RM200 per hour, as opposed to the same rate per day for any production work, according to Rushvin.

Mereka, a division of Biji-Biji Initiative, established as a result of this glaring pay gap in 2017, which aims to provide higher-quality education and coaching to businesses. &nbsp,

Seven years later, Mereka has evolved into a talent development ecosystem that trains artists, professionals, and businesspeople for the future of the workforce. Through our talent marketplace, Rashvin stated,” We give our learners access to digital entrepreneurship content and opportunities to make money,”

He anticipates a positive response from the market for the model. Because the money is yours, there is no incentive for you to transact off-platform. ” &nbsp,

He anticipates the business to be viable because Mereka will earn recurring income while talent who joins the platform will have access to two things: ongoing income-generating opportunities and job opportunities ( which they have to pay for ).

Mereka will launch a free tier in January, where users can access the platform’s digital content but not its income-generating opportunities.

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