China holds more trade war cards than Trump thinks – Asia Times

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There was one notable exceptions to Donald Trump’s pivotal decision to impose eye-watering levies on trading partners around the world.

While the rest of the world may be given a 90-day relief on more responsibilities beyond the new 10 % taxes on all US business associates, China would think the squash even more. Trump increased the Chinese goods price to 12 % on April 9, 2025.

According to Trump, the decision was motivated by Beijing’s “lack of regard for international markets.” But the US senator may well have been smarting from Beijing’s apparent determination to fight US tariffs head-on.

Beijing took a different tack than some nations, choosing to favor negotiation and dialogue over Trump’s now-delayed mutual tariff increases. It immediately and steadfastly reacted.

On April 11, China dismissed Trump’s moves as a” joke” and raised its own tariff against the US to 125 %. Trump after raised his tariffs on China to 145 % in reprisal before granting an exemption for some devices.

The two markets are currently tangled up in a massive, high-intensity industry conflict. And China is showing no signs of backing over.

And I wouldn’t expect China to, as an analyst on US-China relationships. China now has much more leverage than the first US-China business war during Trump’s first word, when Beijing eagerly sought a deal with the US.

However, Beijing believes it can wreak at least as much harm on the US as evil opposite, while at the same time expanding its international location.

A modified mathematics for China

There is no denying that China’s export-focused companies, particularly those in coastal regions, are subject to severe tariff consequences for American consumers.

Man with a flag behind him.
Amid taxes, China’s President Xi Jinping sensations a traditional option. Photo via Getty Images: Carlos Barria

However, a number of actual financial factors have considerably altered Beijing’s math since Trump initially increased tariffs on China in 2018.

Critically, the importance of the US business to China’s export-driven market has declined considerably. US-bound export made up 19.8 % of China’s full imports in 2018, the first trade war started.

That percentage had dropped to 12.8 % in 2023. The tariffs perhaps more enable China to expand its “domestic need development” strategy, unleashing the spending power of its consumers and strengthening its local economy.

China entered the 2018 trade war during a period of robust economic growth, but the current situation is completely different. The Chinese economy is experiencing a persistent slowdown due to the slowness of the real estate markets, capital flight, and Western “decoupling.”

Perhaps counterintuitively, this prolonged downturn may have made the Chinese economy more resilient to shocks. Even prior to the impact of Trump’s tariffs, it has pushed businesses and policymakers to take into account the already harsh economic realities.

Trump’s tariffs on China may also give Beijing a useful external scapegoat, allowing it to spread the blame for US aggression and win over public opinion.

China also understands that the US cannot easily replace its dependency on Chinese goods, particularly through its supply chains. Although China’s direct US imports have decreased, many products now coming from third countries still rely on Chinese-made components or raw materials.

By 2022, China was almost four times as dependent on China as of the same time, compared to the same period in which China was almost four times as dependent.

There’s a related public opinion calculation: Rising tariffs are expected to drive up prices, something that could stir discontent among American consumers, particularly blue-collar voters. Beijing, in fact, thinks that Trump’s tariffs could cause the country’s otherwise robust economy to recede.

Two men sit side by side at a conference.
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, examines Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 Summit’s plenary session on July 7, 2017, in Hamburg, Germany. Photo: Mikhail Svetlov / Getty Images via The Conversation

Potent tools for reprisal

China also has a number of strategic tools to use retaliation against the US in addition to the altered economic environments. It dominates the global rare earth supply chain – critical to military and high-tech industries – supplying roughly 72 % of US rare earth imports, by some estimates.

On April 9, China added 12 American companies to its list of countries that are subject to export control on March 4. Many US high-tech companies or US defense contractors rely on rare earth elements in their products.

China also retains the ability to target key US agricultural export sectors such as poultry and soybeans – industries heavily dependent on Chinese demand and concentrated in Republican-leaning states.

About 5 % of US exports of poultry and soybeans are made up of China. Beijing revoked import authorizations for three significant U.S. soybean exporters on March 4.

And on the tech side, many US companies – such as Apple and Tesla – remain deeply tied to Chinese manufacturing. Tariffs threaten to significantly lower their profit margins, which Beijing believes can be used as a leverage against the Trump administration. Beijing is reportedly planning to retaliate by imposing regulations on US businesses operating in China.

Meanwhile, the fact that Elon Musk, a senior Trump insider who has clashed with US trade adviser Peter Navarro against tariffs, has major business interests in China is a particularly strong wedge that Beijing could yet exploit in an attempt to divide the Trump administration.

Two mini flags side by side.
Chinese and American flags fly at a booth in Shanghai during the first China International Import Expo on November 6, 2018. Photo: Johannes Eisele / AFP via Getty Images

A strategic opening for China?

Beijing believes it can withstand Trump’s significant tariffs on a bilateral basis, but it also believes that the US broadside against its own trading partners has given rise to a generational strategic opportunity to replace American hegemony.

This shift may have a significant impact on East Asia’s geopolitical landscape. Already on March 30 – after Trump had first raised tariffs on Beijing – China, Japan and South Korea hosted their first economic dialogue in five years and pledged to advance a trilateral free trade agreement.

Given how diligently the US worked under the Biden administration to combat regional influence from China, the move was especially remarkable. Trump’s actions, in Beijing’s opinion, give the US a chance to directly erode its influence in the Indo-Pacific.

A model dragon is seen through a shop window.
Could China’s dragon economy slay Trump’s tariffs? Wang Zhao / AFP via Getty Images/ The Conversation

Similar to how Trump’s severe tariffs on Southeast Asian nations, which were a significant strategic regional priority during the Biden administration, may aggravate those nations ‘ relationship with China.

Chinese state media announced on April 11 that President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia from April 14-18, aiming to deepen “all-round cooperation” with neighboring countries.

Notably, the Trump administration targeted all three Southeast Asian countries with their now-paused reciprocal tariffs, which included 49 % on Cambodian goods, 46 % on Vietnamese exports, and 24 % on Malaysian products.

Farther away from China lies an even more promising strategic opportunity. Trump’s tariff plan has already prompted China and European Union officials to consider strengthening their own, previously strained trade ties, which might sour the transatlantic alliance that had been trying to break up with China.

On April 8, the European Commission president spoke with China’s premier to discuss trade protectionionism in which both sides jointly condemned US trade protectionism and supported free and open trade.

Coincidentally, on April 9, the day China raised tariffs on US goods to 84 %, the EU also announced its first wave of retaliatory measures – imposing a 25 % tariff on selected US imports worth over 20 billion euros– but delayed implementation following Trump’s 90-day pause.

Officials from the EU and China are currently negotiating with each other over the current trade barriers and considering holding a full-fledged summit in China in July.

China also believes that Trump’s tariffs could potentially affect the US dollar’s reputation abroad. Widespread tariffs imposed on multiple countries have shaken investor confidence in the US economy, contributing to a decline in the dollar’s value.

The dollar and US Treasury bonds have traditionally been viewed as haven assets, but recent market turmoil has questioned that status. Soaring tariffs have also undermined investor confidence in both the US economy and US Treasurys, raising questions about the viability of the country’s economy and the sustainability of its debt.

While Trump’s tariffs will inevitably hurt parts of the Chinese economy, Beijing appears to have far more cards to play this time around. It has the means to seriously harm US interests, and Trump’s comprehensive tariff war offers China a rare and unexploited strategic opportunity.

Auburn University’s PhD candidate in political science is Linggong Kong.

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

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Experts urge caution in tariff talks

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US President Donald Trump holds a chart next to US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 2, 2025. (Reuters photo)
US President Donald Trump makes notes on taxes in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025, holding a table next to US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. ( Reuters image )

Experts advise the government to act cautiously rather than retaliate against the United States ‘ reciprocal tax steps.

Thailand, one of the nations currently lining up to deal with the US for a potential price reduction, is one of the many nations that has been hit by a 36 % reciprocal tariff.

No particular place in the dialogue process has been revealed as of yet, despite the government’s claim that Washington has responded to Bangkok’s demand for negotiations.

An impartial political and economic researcher named Somjai Phagaphasvivat called on the government to come up with a tactical and measured response.

According to him, the federal appears to be putting its weight on its own violent business plan, and he claimed that this is a wait-and-see strategy.

President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day wait in higher tariffs on several nations, including Thailand, is a sign that the US may be reevaluating the effects of its business measures, he said.

A nation you choose four strategic responses to tariff increases: plan and work quickly, as Vietnam and Cambodia have done, fight instantly, as China has, make and wait for clarity, and wait for the US to feel the effects of its own measures.

But, whether import taxes may be reduced or raised yet further remains to be seen. Thailand may find itself at a disadvantage, the researcher said, if the expensive tariffs are gradually implemented.

” The US imposes various tax prices on various nations. Our exports may suffer significantly if our companies have now negotiated lower taxes while we have not,” he said.

Prudence, no retaliation

When asked whether Mr. Somjai’s response to the US’s trade policy signaled the start of a full-fledged international trade war, he responded with caution.

He claimed that the condition has not reached the height of a world trade war, a repeat of the 1929 Great Depression, or a serious global economic downturn that is being discussed.

It took two years to resolve the problems, which involved a 90 % decline in stock markets at the time.

It was followed by World War II and the formation of the International Trade Organization in 1944, which later evolved into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade ( GATT ) to regulate international trade.

He claimed that the US is engaging in a traditional” chicken game” where nations with low liquidity are more likely to succumb to US industry stress. However, it’s unlikely that major players like China and the European Union ( EU) will give in.

China, which is currently at a 125 % rate, will respond with higher taxes, he said, sending a clear message that if the conflict persists, both sides will suffer.

The US leader is also putting more home pressure on himself. In only three days, US markets lost US$ 9.5 trillion, or roughly quarter of GDP. Mr. Trump won’t fall off the cliff, which may prompt negotiations, according to Mr. Somjai.

Beijing imposed tariff increases on US imports last Friday to 125 %.

Asean is a lightly bound system and is unlikely to challenge the US, according to Mr. Somjai, who questioned whether Asean would work together and discuss with the US as a whole, especially when Mr. Trump threatened to escalate sanctions against nations that would criticize him.

Following a movie conference meeting of financial officials, Asean, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world, expressed profound concern over the US’s decision to introduce punitive taxes.

Cambodia is subject to a 49 % duty and Singapore is subject to a 10 % tax in Southeast Asia.

Asean should use this chance to strengthen assistance, not to issue the US, but to be prepared to deal with international changes brought on by the US’s fresh price policy, according to Mr. Somjai.

To Thai exporters, Mr. Somjai said there is no need to fret yet because the economy is expanding at a slower rate, with growth potential slipping from 3 % to 1 % this year.

” As long as the economy turns bad, it isn’t also a full-blown problems.” In the worst case situation, there would be a battle between the US and the EU. A full-fledged international trade conflict is still unavoidable at this point, he said.

Mr. Somjai argued that Thailand may be prepared to deal with an economic slowdown regardless of how the US trade policy develops.

He also noted that nations who are closely aligned with the US are likely to follow other strategies, such as extending free trade agreements to lessen their rely on the American market.

Thailand’s trade surplus with the US was thought to be worth more than$ 40 billion last year.

Punitive steps, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, are not the best course of action because Thailand is a small nation and could suffer from a GDP drop of at least one percentage point.

Somjai:

Somjai:” Don’t issue the US.”

Opportunities exist in a turmoil.

The Thailand Development Research Institute’s senior research fellow Nonarit Bisonyabut cited the position as a chance to promote development.

He claimed that the US’ worries about taxes are not totally unfounded. He advised Thailand to examine the justification for the distinguished tax rates it had in place and whether they had acted in a certain way.

Some were intended to safeguard important sectors for national growth. However, he said,” we must ask whether they are only generating revenue for significant capital groups.”

Additionally, Mr. Nonarit urged a review of “zero-dollar imports” and to consider whether or not these permissions should be discontinued. Exports of zero-dollar goods refer to business practices that the exporting nation finds to be having little or no monetary benefit.

He argued that the government should consider alternatives to the US’s present actions because the mutual tariff is only the first step in addressing trade imbalances.

The US is also trying to persuade businesses to return their products to the US to address the nation’s debt problems.

” There will be more goes to come,” she said. We merely saw an appetiser, he said.

Mr. Nonarit argued that the Trump administration wants to alter the world trade order.

The US’s extreme legislation is unlikely to be abandoned anytime soon, and the more dangerous the situation becomes the sooner it surrenders. The US tax policy may have a negative impact on domestic demand, as high inflation would also be felt by American consumers.

People force is anticipated to rise in this situation for the reversal of the plan.

The US senator also faces legal challenges in the Supreme Court, he added, noting that there is a chance for policy change to occur without external force in six months to two years.

He argued that Thailand may lose more by trying to communicate and get offers, noting that Singapore’s strategy is also viewed as a strategy for asking the people to prepare for impacts.

” Some offers we make may be challenging to accept again. Often, we have to wait and see because Thailand is a small nation or doesn’t have little leverage to derive significant benefits from the discussions, he said.

Nonarit:

Nonarit:” More moves to occur.

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Apple was on brink of crisis before tariff concession from Trump

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A tourist uses an Apple iPhone to take a selfie with Donald Trump impersonator Ed Weiskopf in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., US, April 9, 2025. (Reuters)
In front of the White House in Washington, D.C., United States, on April 9, 2025, a visitor poses for a selfie with Donald Trump’s imitation Ed Weiskopf. ( Reuters )

For the time being, at least, Apple Inc. has escaped its biggest issue since the pandemic.

Donald Trump’s 12 % tariffs on Chinese goods threatened to destroy its supply chain just as significantly as the Covid growls did five years ago. The US president gave Apple a significant victory on Friday night, allowing some well-known consumer devices to be excluded. That includes Air Tags, Apple Watches, tablets, Macs, and handsets. &nbsp,

Another benefit: Those products now do not have to pay the 10 % tariff on imports from other nations. &nbsp,

The change is beneficial for Apple and the Asian electronics sector, which also rely heavily on China for manufacturing. However, a new, lower so-called regional tariff may also apply to products that contain semiconductors.

This is a significant reduction for Apple, according to Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani in a statement released on Saturday. ” The levies would have caused material value inflation,” the statement goes.

Following a 11 % defeat this month, he anticipates the stock to rise on Monday.

Before the most recent provision, the phone manufacturer had a strategy: change its supply chain to produce more US-bound iPhones in India, which would have been much less expensive. That, according to Apple professionals, would be a quick fix to halt the astronomical China price and fend off costly price increases in the near future. &nbsp,

Manufacturing from India alone could have met a sizable portion of British require given that the facility’s plans to produce more than 30 million iPhones per year are on pace to meet that demand. About 220 to 230 million handsets are sold every by Apple these days, with about a third going to the US.

Such a change would be challenging to implement without a hitch, especially since the company is now close to producing the iPhone 17, which will be primarily made in China. Concerns had grown about the effect on the fall launch of new iPhones with Apple’s operations, financing, and marketing departments, and this sparked a sense of dread.

In a matter of months, the business would have needed to complete the monumental task of moving more iPhone 17 manufacturing to India or another country. It most likely would have had to raise rates, which is still a possibility, and fought with manufacturers to improve profits. Additionally, Apple’s renowned selling team would have had to persuade customers that it was all worthwhile.

But the sense of uncertainty persists. Plans at the White House are likely to change once more, and Apple may need to make more drastic adjustments. Management is then breathing a sigh of relief, at least for the moment. &nbsp,

handsets made in China account for 87 % of the market.

Another issue: How did China react if it increased production from China at a fast rate? Apple is an exception among US-based businesses because it receives about 17 % of its revenue from abroad and runs lots of businesses there. An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

China has begun looking into US businesses for opposition, which Apple might encounter through its own customs procedure. It has also recently outlawed iPhones from its army of federal employees, among other US-designed devices. That came after US onslaught on Huawei Technologies Co., a champion of Chinese technology.

According to estimates from Morgan Stanley, about 87 % of the iPhones are produced in China, making it Apple’s biggest revenue-maker. In addition to 60 % of Macs, about four in five tablets are produced in the nation.

Up, those products account for roughly 75 % of Apple’s yearly income. The organization continues to manufacture nearly all of its AirPods and Apple Watches in Vietnam. In that nation, some iPads and Laptops are produced, and there are growing Mac creation in Thailand, Malaysia, and Thailand.

According to Morgan Stanley, the company generates approximately 38 % of its iPad profits in the US and about half of its revenue from Apple Watch, AirPods, and Mac.

It would be unlikely to cut Apple completely from China, which has been the company’s main manufacturing hub for years. Although Trump has pushed Apple to produce iPhones in the US, the lack of local executive and manufacturing expertise may make that nearly impossible in the long run.

The speed and efficiency of the facilities in China are unparalleled due to their size and range. Apple’s sales abroad in the world are even impacted by China production, which is important. The Cupertino, California-based business generates nearly 60 % of its income outside of the United States.

Lobbying from Apple and other tech firms have been pressing the White House for exemptions since a string of tariff announcements came out on April 2. &nbsp,

After a number of tit-for-tat reprisals between Washington and Beijing resulted in what amounts to 145 % duties on Chinese goods, the conversations became even more urgent in recent days.

After Trump put a stop to higher levies on other nations, the probable effect was even greater. That meant that Samsung Electronics Co, an Apple adversary that produces its devices outside of China, would have had an advantage.

Apple and other businesses have been telling the Trump administration that while they are willing to invest in the US, moving last council to the state would not be very beneficial. Instead, they have argued that the US ought to be concentrating on reviving higher-value tasks and stimulating investment in areas like semiconductor manufacturing.

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We can’t stop checking our phones while watching TV or movies – and it’s affecting the quality of shows

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Unfortunately, streaming services like Netflix respond by creating articles that requires less attention as our ability to concentrate on a display declines.

This entails well-known tropes and large storytelling that seem primed for superficial rather than significant impact. ( Quirky but competent protagonist ) Test. A mysterious community technique that threatens to sever generations’ bonds? Test. A takeover of a planes? That will be Singapore’s biggest present.

Even titles ( The Night Agent, The Stranger, and The Perfect Family ) have sharp, SEO-friendly descriptions that are meant for quick access on a scrolling feed, but many lack resonance so that I may recall a plot but never the show name.

In an article on how Netflix ruined movies, American cultural critic Did Talvin argued that these actions are purposeful. &nbsp,

More “pseudo shows” were being created for people to watch in the background while performing various tasks, Talvin wrote in n 1 publication in December 2024.

Because viewers at home are frequently hardly paying attention, he said,” For slipshod film works for the streaming type.” &nbsp,

” Many screenwriters who’ve worked for the channel told me a typical tip from business executives is to have this figure announce what they’re doing so that viewers who have this program on in the background is following along.”

I’ve even noticed the increasingly prevalent story device of therapy in line with such reported practices of creating for quiet consumption. Although it may address the forbidden topic of mental health, on-screen therapists frequently spell out another writer’s motivations as opposed to&nbsp, relying on meaning to infer emotions.

Reading tradition has even suffered, just like interactive TV and movies. While I may read a thousand words of an online content in one sitting, I struggle to finish a book despite using various pre-smartphones every day.

It’s no wonder booksellers are a dying industry, in my opinion, along with other people. Even though any true audience may hear this performance may miss the point of reading, I’ve even seen apps advertised as” TikTok for books” with a futuristic promise to summarise a book into its main points.

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‘Too early for a split’ in Thai govt

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Bhumjaithai Party’s secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob declares in parliament on Wednesday that he does not support the Pheu Thai-sponsored entertainment complex bill, arguing the government should focus on more pressing issues, such as the collapse of the Chatuchak building and climate change. (TV screenshot)
Chaichanok Chidchob, the secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, tells legislature on Wednesday that he does not help the Pheu Thai-sponsored entertainment complex costs and that the government should concentrate on pressing issues like the decline of the Chatuchak creating and climate change. ( TV screenshot )

Since the formation of the government, the decision Pheu Thai and its coalition partner Bhumjaithai have had a turbulent marriage, with their association seen as more of a social need than a true empire.

Following Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob’s declaration that he opposed the government-sponsored entertainment complex act, the parties ‘ animosity has just grown.

Due to this, Pheu Thai heavyweights have begun to question the commitment of their partner in the alliance.

The parties have been at odds with one another since the Pheu Thai-led state first started to try to categorize marijuana as a opioid despite Bhumjaithai supporting decriminalization as its main policy.

Additionally, there are area issues involving significant parties’ important players, which have increased the division.

The rights of the Alpine Golf Course by the Shinawatra family is one of the two cases, while the other involves property owned by Buri Ram and Khao Kradong, which is connected to Newin Chidchob, Bhumjaithai’s de facto leader.

Important decisions are made by organizations that closely align with the opposing camps, despite the government reviewing both situations.

The Ministry of Interior, which is mostly influenced by the Bhumjaithai Party, will determine the fate of the Alpine Golf Course.

The Pheu Thai-controlled Transport Ministry is currently in charge of reversing the title deed for the Khao Kradong area, which is located on property owned by the State Railway of Thailand.

Game discussion

The leisure complex act is the most recent contentious issue between the parties.

Mr. Chaichanok, who is Mr. Newin’s child, declared in parliament earlier this month that he would not participate in its concern.

Although Bhumjaithai head Anutin Charnvirakul acknowledged that Mr. Chaichanok’s stance is private, Mr. Chaichanok’s choice may be disregarded. The second-largest group in the state, the Bhumjaithai Party, is unlikely to pass the bill without its help.

The Bangkok Post believes the day is not yet mature for a cut, whether through a House breakup or the resignation of the prime minister. However, cracks in their relationship are becoming more obvious.

Both events also require one another to fulfill their plan commitments and bolster public support ahead of the upcoming general election. Social negotiation will remain for the next two years until voters return to the elections.

The partnership between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai is carefully poised, according to Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute.

Although tensions between the parties did continue, they are unlikely to get to the point where a split is expected.

Pheu Thai appears socially diminished, especially in comparison to Bhumjaithai, which has grown stronger and is seen as better prepared for a subsequent election.

But, Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the prime minister, has the sole power to dissolve the House.

A House breakdown may have a negative impact on Pheu Thai in the present, he said, adding that the party could suffer major loss in a quick election.

Bhumjaithai also is not guaranteed to gain from a House breaking up sooner. ” Bhumjaithai won’t necessarily receive the votes lost by Pheu Thai.”

Women’s Party in the arms

It’s possible that a sizable portion of votes could instead be cast in the People’s Party ( PP ), which could complicate the political landscape further, he said.

The legality of Bhumjaithai formforming a government, even though it is not the largest party, may be questioned if the PP wins more than 200 seats and Bhumjaithai wins the election with about 120 seats.

According to Mr. Stithorn, a circumstance in which the election winner is pushed to the opposition may cause a public outcry. According to the scientist, Bhumjaithai even appears to be aware of this issue.

Pheu Thai is not too fragile or too powerful, he said, which is the ideal situation for the coalition group.

The PP has the greatest chance of succeeding if Pheu Thai becomes very weak. However, if the ruling party becomes very powerful, it could be at the Bhumjaithai’s cost because it would mean that the political parties that depend on it would lose to the Pheu Thai Party.

He claimed that Pheu Thai is then focused on delivering its plan claims, which include the proposed casino-entertainment challenging, as a crucial component of the project.

Bhumjaithai believes that if the program develops, it will only benefit Pheu Thai, he said, adding that Bhumjaithai is skeptical of any policy that might provide the ruling party a social benefit.

Mr. Stithorn said it could be used as a social bargaining tool to stifle tension with Bhumjaithai, who is expected to insist on keeping its current case limit.

He claimed that a significant reshuffle that assigns important ministries to Pheu Thai would cause social discord.

” For the time being, both parties are likely to remain negotiating within the existing power-sharing design. There will be some backlash, he said,” but try not to push too hard.”

He stated that the condition will persist until Pheu Thai you meet the PP’s acceptance while Bhumjaithai works to push important guidelines to increase voting support.

A House breakdown might be on the cards if the social situation gets to the point where both parties feel confident about going to the elections.

After all parties have secured their wishes, he said, “it’s likely to come to the end of the government’s term.”

Paetongtarn: Would like a significant victory.

Paetongtarn: Would like a significant victory.

Anutin: Trying to be influential

Anutin: Trying to be influential

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New moves to stamp out illegal condo rentals

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PUBLISHED: 13 Apr 2025 at 05: 32

An aerial view of property in Pattaya (Bangkok Post file photo)
Property in Pattaya from an aerial view ( Bangkok Post photo )

State firms are being urged to collaborate with online booking services to create a system that only accepts online reservations from legitimate hotels and accommodation services.

Following new discussions with state body and online travel agencies regarding the issue of condominium units being improperly rented out, in violation of the Hotel Act 2004, the House Committee on Consumer Protection made the decision. According to Chanin Rungtanakiat, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP and committee member, unlawful hiring of condominium units can frequently be found through on-line booking systems, which is also a part of those websites ‘ role.

Their part in these purchases is comparable to that of selling illegal goods, he said. A violation of the law can result in fines of up to 20 000 ringgit and an additional daily fine of up to 10 000 baht as long as the improper rental action is stopped. Additionally, the majority of apartments regulations specifically forbid daily accommodations.

Mr. Chanin argued that the government should combine the efforts of several organizations to combat it. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency, and the Department of Provincial Administration are just a few examples.

The objective is to create a system that links online travel agencies ( OTAs ) that deal with room reservations with the database of hotel and lodging licensees. A legally valid license code may be required for any property that is authorized to offer lodging services.

This policy, if implemented, could lower the number of illegal lodging accommodations and raise the standards for Thailand’s lodging industry, as well as improve guest safety, booking platform operators, and other condo dwellers.

Anukul Prueksanusak, assistant government official, claimed the Ministry of Interior had instructed the Department of Provincial Administration to carefully monitor the situation and conduct audits in response to a rise in complaints about improper rentals, especially in the Sukhumvit and Sathon places.

Additionally, Mr. Anukul warned immigrants who purchase condo units and rent them out as motel rooms that they are breaking the law.

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‘Too early for a split’

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Bhumjaithai Party’s secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob declares in parliament on Wednesday that he does not support the Pheu Thai-sponsored entertainment complex bill, arguing the government should focus on more pressing issues, such as the collapse of the Chatuchak building and climate change. Screenshot
Bhumjaithai Party’s secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob declares in parliament on Wednesday that he does not support the Pheu Thai-sponsored entertainment complex bill, arguing the government should focus on more pressing issues, such as the collapse of the Chatuchak building and climate change. Screenshot

The relationship between the ruling Pheu Thai and its coalition partner Bhumjaithai has been bumpy since the government was formed, with their partnership seen more as a political necessity than a genuine alliance.

Recently, disunity between the parties seems to have escalated following Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob’s declaration that he disagreed with the government-sponsored entertainment complex bill.

This has prompted Pheu Thai heavyweights to question the loyalty of their coalition partner.

From the start of the Pheu Thai-led government, the parties have clashed over several key issues, including Pheu Thai’s attempt to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic despite Bhumjaithai backing decriminalisation as a flagship policy.

There are also land disputes involving key figures of the parties that have intensified the split.

One case concerns the Shinawatra family’s ownership of the Alpine Golf Course, while the other involves land in Khao Kradong, Buri Ram, linked to Bhumjaithai’s de facto leader Newin Chidchob.

Although both cases are being reviewed by the authorities, key decisions rest with agencies closely aligned with the rival camps.

The fate of the Alpine Golf Course hinges on a ruling by the Ministry of Interior, which is largely influenced by the Bhumjaithai Party.

Meanwhile, the decision whether to revoke the title deed for the Khao Kradong land, which sits on property belonging to the State Railway of Thailand, now lies with the Pheu Thai-controlled Transport Ministry.

The latest point of contention between the parties is the entertainment complex bill.

Earlier this month, Mr Chaichanok, who is Mr Newin’s son, declared in parliament that he disagreed with the bill and would not take part in its consideration.

Although Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul assured that Mr Chaichanok’s stance is personal, Mr Chaichanok’s move cannot be ignored. Without support from the Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest party in the government, the bill is unlikely to clear the House.

While cracks in their relationship are increasingly visible, the Bangkok Post believes the time is not yet ripe for a split — whether by means of a House dissolution or the prime minister stepping down.

Both parties still need each other to deliver on their policy promises and build public support ahead of the next general election. Over the next two years, political bargaining will continue until voters return to the polls.

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said the alliance between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai is delicately poised.

While tensions between the parties will persist, they are unlikely to escalate to the point where a split is inevitable.

In his view, Pheu Thai appears politically weakened, especially when compared to Bhumjaithai, which has grown stronger and is seen as better prepared for a future election.

However, the authority to dissolve the House lies solely with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

Under current circumstances, a House dissolution could backfire on Pheu Thai due to its waning popularity, he said, adding the party could suffer significant losses in a snap election.

Bhumjaithai is not guaranteed to benefit from an early House dissolution, either. “The votes lost by Pheu Thai will not necessarily flow to Bhumjaithai.

It’s possible that a large portion of votes could go to the People’s Party (PP) instead, which could further complicate the political landscape,” he said.

If the PP is to capture over 200 seats and Bhumjaithai emerges the first runner-up with about 120 seats, the legitimacy of Bhumjaithai forming a government, when it is not the largest party, will be called into question.

Mr Stithorn said that such a scenario, where the election winner is excluded and pushed to the opposition, could spark a public backlash. Bhumjaithai also appears to be aware of this problem, according to the analyst.

The ideal situation for the coalition party is one where Pheu Thai is not too weak or too strong, he said.

If Pheu Thai becomes too weak, the PP stands to gain the most. But if the ruling party grows too strong, it could be at the Bhumjaithai’s expense, as it means political families on which these parties rely would defect to the Pheu Thai Party.

He said Pheu Thai is now focused on delivering its policy promises to regain public confidence and a key project is the proposed casino-entertainment complex.

If the scheme moves forward, Bhumjaithai sees it as a win solely for Pheu Thai, he said, adding Bhumjaithai remains wary of any policy that could give the ruling party a political advantage.

On a cabinet reshuffle, Mr Stithorn said it could be used as a political bargaining tool to ease tension with Bhumjaithai, which is expected to insist on retaining its existing cabinet quota.

A large-scale reshuffle that reallocates key ministries to Pheu Thai would lead to a political split, he said.

“For now, both parties are likely to continue negotiating within the current power-sharing arrangement. There will be some pushback…but not pushing too hard,” he said.

He said the situation will persist until Pheu Thai can match the popularity of the PP while Bhumjaithai works on pushing key policies to strengthen voter support.

Should the political situation reach this point where both parties feel confident about going to the polls, a House dissolution could be on the cards.

“It’s likely toward the end of the government’s term, once all parties have secured what they want,” he said.

Paetongtarn: Wants a big win

Paetongtarn: Wants a big win

Anutin: Vying for influence

Anutin: Vying for influence

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Punch drunk traders across Asia ready for another week of drama and also skipping sleep

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After a year in which Asian stocks posted both their biggest-ever decline and their largest one-day obtain since 2008, place investors are working weekends, skipping sleep, interfering with business trips, poring on social media, and focusing on short-term trades, aware that one man at the world’s furthest reaches may destroy markets again at any moment.

No wonder the region’s economic experts are hysterical. In addition to the uncertainty in stocks, Japanese government bonds posted their worst day ever on Tuesday, credit expands blew out the worst in a row since 2000, the Chinese yuan dropped to its weakest levels since 2007, and the Indonesian rupiah hit an all-time small. &nbsp,

The American penny dropped the most in a moment on Friday before the global financial crisis.

All those maneuvers shifted with regard to US President Donald Trump’s decisions regarding business and officials ‘ responses to those in Asia Pacific. And that’s why it’s proving to be so destructive to regional areas.

Forex traders will be the first to respond as markets reopen on Monday morning, regional time, after the dollar fell against almost all of the main counterparts.

This past year was “horribly tiring and emotionally draining because a new level of mad hits you,” according to Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy at Mizuho Bank,” as soon as a set of parameters that’s put in front of you, as mad as that set is, a new level of mad hits you.” &nbsp,

The global financial crisis was” a lot more severe, much more urgent.” The main difference was that it was designed by us as a team rather than just one person’s desires. That’s how it’s different.

Even though last weekend’s events terrified investors, the market reaction was more extreme than many expected.

Nearly half the portfolio had been transferred into cash by Nick Ferres, chief investment officer of Vantage Point Asset Management in Singapore, which runs a global macro fund with an emphasis on Asia. &nbsp,

As markets began, he realized this wasn’t enough. We were defensive, he said, but” I wish I had done more.” In its three-decade history, MSCI’s Asia Pacific Index experienced the worst decline. &nbsp,

” I worked Sunday through Monday, working.” This week, Ferres reported that I have averaged three hours of sleep per night.

People” completely underestimated the scale and scope of change Trump was going to bring,” said Prashant Newnaha, a Singapore-based strategist at TD Securities, “until the headlines.” They weren’t prepared for it, which is important.

By Wednesday, Vantage Point’s Ferres had spotted a turbulence in the Asian trading market that would compel the administration to soften its grip on tariffs. When yields suddenly spiked on fears of an unwind to the basis trade, the market was in turmoil. &nbsp,

He was correct. Trump’s decision to halt some tariffs for 90 days caused Wall Street to rise and eased jitters in the bond market.

He claimed that” the stress in the bond market contributed to the pivot.” However, he still questioned whether a rebound would last long, and he instead chose to use the rally to divert more risk. The call was successful. The rally had reverted by Thursday in New York. He claimed that he put more risk into the rally than the other way around.

The more the episode drags on, the more your chances of seeing a decline in growth and profits are. It will result in a fundamental shock that is still being weighed against the market, according to Ferres.

The most enthralling aspect of Trump’s policy is the potential for quick turnarounds.

However, it’s odd because one person can flip the switch at any time, which is unusual for multi-strategy hedge fund GAO Capital in Singapore. &nbsp,

According to Trump,” the recession genie has been let out of the bottle so people are going to be more careful,” and traders may now opt to stay up at night and avoid Truth Social for hints on Trump’s next action. &nbsp,

After the rally, we witnessed profit-taking, with few people rushing in to take on new positions. We are still trading short-term and are acting reactively rather than fundamentally long-term.

All that volatility is also affecting regional business plans, aside from the markets. Indonesia’s markets fell on reopening following the weeklong Eid holiday, and Brian Tan, the head of non-China EM Asia economics research at Barclays Plc in Singapore, was in Jakarta for a business trip during the week.

After Trump announced the 90-day pause, he had to squeeze in time to deliver a note to clients early on Thursday morning. He then hopped into his car to juggling a few meetings.

Kok Hoong Wong, Maybank Securities ‘ head of institutional equities trading, said,” Everyone is still on edge.” It appeared as though the financial world was about to end on Wednesday morning, with stocks falling, stock futures falling, and the yen strengthening sharply. We experienced some panic buying at the open on Thursday morning, and by Friday it appeared that people had reacted to the rising sentiment.

” The awareness that Trump may not be the bottom has begun to percolate. Perhaps we will experience a longer-than-expected adjustment period following this trade tariff episode.

According to Louis Gave of Gavekal, a group that runs the Hong Kong-based asset-allocation consultancy Gavekal Research and some global funds, the volatility may have a positive effect.

In a note dated April 10, he wrote,” The past week has demonstrated that the ice investors are skating on is much thinner than most had believed.” &nbsp,

Trump had to significantly reduce his threat of a trade war to stop the crisis. This implies that the majority of tariffs are currently back in the box. Trump is now aware that if he reopens the box, he will run the risk of another equity and bond market collapse. In consequence, it appears likely that the box will remain closed.

Even so, for traders trying to figure out how and where to invest their money after the week’s wild swings, the risk of a rebound is almost as dangerous as that of a new selloff.

” We started covering shorts in a lot of names and closing some short positions during the falling market on Monday,” said Jun Bei Liu, lead portfolio manager at Ten Cap, a long-short equity fund with a focus on Australian equities in Sydney. &nbsp,

The fund increased the number of long positions it found to be less fortunate from a trade war, including those held by Australian companies like Fisher &amp, Paykel Healthcare Corp., Cochlear Ltd., and Pro Medicus Ltd.

However, it’s impossible to be complacent.

The market is “oversold on this pessimism,” she said, adding that even the slightest positive attitude is causing the market to move so quickly. Shorts are dangerous in this sector because some businesses are oversold and we have no idea how quickly they will recover.

–With the assistance of Cormac Mullen, Ruth Carson, Winnie Hsu, Abhishek Vishnoi, Prima Wirayani, and Winnie Hsu.

— ©2025 Bloomberg L. P.

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Life on wheels: The campervan trend is rolling across Malaysia as Singaporeans hop onboard

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As you would anticipate, the Klang Valley around Kuala Lumpur is where the industry is currently concentrated, with several Car dealers opening locations farther away. For example, Johor has just one dealer who is based close to Muar.

Deeper TRANSFERS

The Caravan Jamboree will take place in Melaka in September, which is scheduled to coincide with World Tourism Day this year. At the start of Camper Rally Melaka 2025, state key minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced that 1, 000 campervans would merge at the state’s Dataran 1Malaysia circle in order to draw 155 delegations from all over the world.

In the meantime, international people have now joined the fray. Knaus Tabbert AG, one of Europe’s top RV manufacturers, received Malaysia’s first Vehicle Type Approval certificate in 2022 to begin producing, selling, and distributing Outdoor Motor Vehicles ( OMVs ) in the nation. Knaus Tabbert, three other European RV makers, Car component manufacturers, and a caravan trade good organiser traveled to Malaysia, which was quickly followed by that.

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ABOUT POLITICS: Governor needs a sprint finish

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Chadchart: Promises not kept?
Promises never kept, Chadchart?

The rate at which Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt runs City Hall’s affairs has been compared by observers to an old gasoline energy engine– slow to start, just to accelerate towards the end.

Mr. Chadchart faced criticism for not keeping his presidential election promises during the first half of his four-year phrase.

The politician, who largely won the highest couch at City Hall with 1.3 million vote again in 2022, has a polarized opinion of his achievement as governor, according to observers.

Before the ballot, Mr Chadchart exuded the image of a hard-working, high-calibre candidate for Bangkok’s operational best job. He made numerous pledges that would be fulfilled when in company, including a lasting remedy for the city’s persistent floods, which usually occur during the rainy season.

Nonetheless, his opponents were underwhelmed by the governor’s” dramatic” live performances, which frequently feature him riding a motorcycle while inspecting flooded streets and sois.

After some such channels, people felt turned off, slamming what they said was the mayor’s failure to adopt an effective correct for the storm problem.

The supporters of Mr. Chadchart also blasted what they claimed were unfair criticism of him, insisting that Bangkok has a myriad of structural and infrastructure problems that cannot be fixed overnight.

One of the busiest sois meandering through a dense business and residential district, the governor was criticized for a critical traffic snarl in November of last year. The jam was triggered by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s ( BMA ) closure of a partial traffic lane that had instead been converted into a bicycle lane.

The traffic chaos caused by the conversion quickly flooded into Sukhumvit and nearby roads during rush hours and all day long.

Social media caused a lot of public outcry, with numerous complaints branding the converted lane as an ill-thought-out and short-sighted plan.

The BMA immediately issued an apology, and Mr Chadchart leapt forward to defend the merits of the bicycle lane. He argued that the BMA’s initiative, which was launched in collaboration with foreign experts and embassies, represented a designation of a safe route for cycling and walking through the city.

However, the dedicated lane was not tolerated by drivers and residents, leading to traffic issues on 17 major thoroughfares and nearby Phetchaburi, Thong Lor, and Ekkamai.

Motorists reported long queues stretching as far as Victory Monument and Phatthanakan Road. Observers observed that delivery riders and motorcycles primarily used the bicycle lane rather than cyclists.

The BMA made no mistake when it removed the lane barriers, restored two-lane vehicle traffic, and maintained a shared pedestrian and bicycle path.

Mr Chadchart also apologised and admitted that urban development was prone to being marred by the “occasional missteps”.

At the time, it was anticipated that Mr. Chadchart’s popularity would decline as a result of the residents ‘ unpleasant aftertaste of their bicycle lane experiences. The underlying danger, according to critics, may be related to the voters ‘ growing concern that the bicycle lane backtrack may attest Mr. Chadchart’s propensity to get carried away with projects that affect the masses before abandoning them later.

Growing concerns and the absence of substantial achievements may have spurred the governor to get his act together. After all, the following governor’s election is scheduled for the following year.

It wasn’t until recently that MCOT News Radio reported that Mr. Chadchart had made a decision to run for re-election when his current term expires in June of that year.

His strategy is to meet residents in communities via mobile campaigns on Sundays, listen to their problems, and deal with them with a hands-on approach. Additionally, he is expected to make more strides to finish the important initiatives and policies to address persistent issues like floods, microdust pollution, traffic congestion, and refuse collection.

According to a source, Mr. Chadchart’s biggest stumbling block was not completing what he started by quickly removing the most unforgivable sin a leader has committed: graft.

The BMA, with Mr Chadchart at its helm, has had its fair share of graft allegations, including the procurement of overpriced fitness equipment and the construction of what were viewed as substandard bus stops.

The source claimed that Mr. Chadchart’s recent campaigning for “visibility” was not surprising because it appeared to have swayed his popularity.

Projects have been running since November last year, dubbed by his critics as an “early” poll-canvassing ploy.

This refers to City Hall’s success in clearing out the Lao Market, which had for years encroached on the pavement opposite Klong Toey Market. The governor then directed the attention of the illegal stalls that had been occupying the pavement outside Klong Toey Market, where vendors admitted to having bribed city thessakij inspectors to keep their businesses running.

Additionally, Mr. Chadchart made an announcement that the authorities were repressing traffic on city streets and streets that have been obstructed by abandoned vehicles.

Also, recently, the government set a goal of planting 1.06 million trees in Bangkok’s eastern suburbs by April next year.

Pheu Thai battling for space

The Pheu Thai Party-led government has decided to temporarily halt its controversial casino-entertainment complex bill in response to rising economic pressure from many nations and concentrate instead on growing concerns over Washington’s 36 % increase in import tariffs on Thai goods.

Pichai: Solutions must be' viable'

Pichai: Solutions must be’ viable’

Fears are pervasive that they could still be put in place against the kingdom despite President Donald Trump’s surprise this week, which included a 90-day pause on the tariffs for nations that chose not to retaliate.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra refrained from accusing the Thai government of using its delay as a stalling tactic in order to distract attention from the contentious bill’s controversial provisions.

Last week, Mr Trump announced a minimum 10 % tariff on imports from all countries, along with additional country-specific retaliatory tariffs. Thailand’s rate was set at 36 %, which was originally effective on April 9.

The House of Representatives was scheduled to read the bill the day before the decision to postpone it, and the same day, the new tariff rate was scheduled to go into effect before the 90-day pause.

As the government moves from a local political battle to weather broader economic storms, political analysts suggest it should not rush into any deal and must first understand what the US truly wants to achieve.

There is no need to make any concessions right now, according to Sompob Manarangsan, president of the Panyapiwat Institute of Management, and the government should look for other ways to negotiate as well.

Mr. Sompob claimed that the US Trade Representative ( USTR ), the Thai-US Chamber of Commerce, and other in-person contacts like lobbyists who are close to the US Republican Party could be used as well.

He noted that markets with larger trade volumes with the US like Japan, the European Union ( EU) and Canada will feel the brunt of the tariffs more than Thailand.

In order to divide the countries facing tariff increases, Mr. Sompob divided them into three groups: smaller nations that support the US without retaliation, those who support China, the EU, and Canada, and those who are eager to see how things turn out.

The US-China tension is rising, and it is hurting the US economy, as evidenced by the decline in US stock prices and consumer confidence. This may prompt the US to reconsider its tariff policy”, he said.

Exporting to the US must continue as usual despite the effects of the tariffs, Mr. Sompob continued, noting that all nations will experience the pinch.

The US may end up being the biggest loser, he said, because its citizens will end up paying higher prices for goods.

Somjai Phagaphasvivat, an independent political and economic analyst, said the tariff hike appears to be driven more by national security concerns than economic ones, especially against countries perceived to be aligned with China.

He noted that Vietnam and Cambodia are subject to nearly 50 % tariff increases, which is thought to be a way for China to re-export Chinese goods under their own labels.

He claimed that because Thailand is perceived as leaning toward China, it faces the threat of a 36 % tariff.

Mr Somjai said the government must adopt a multipronged approach in its negotiations with the USTR and use any leverage the country has, especially in agriculture.

He claimed that the nation might increase imports of US goods and promote its security cooperation and investment by private Thai companies in the US to lessen tensions and lessen the impact of the tariffs.

He remarked,” Don’t be a punching bag.”

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who leads the Thai negotiation team, has admitted that settling on terms that satisfy both countries equally will not be easy.

We must fully comprehend what the US wants and what they’re attempting to fix. Although I’m willing to negotiate, we must make sure that the ideas we bring to the table are useful and achievable.

” We need to work hard to show that our proposed solutions are viable, “he said.

The trade imbalance, according to the finance minister, is a contributing factor to the US debt, which accounts for about 123 % of its GDP.

The US wants to lower its interest rates and debt. That’s why they’re pushing to correct trade imbalances and bring more manufacturing back to America,” Mr Pichai said.

Thailand’s trade surplus with the US was estimated to be greater than US$ 40 billion ($ 1.37 trillion baht ) in the previous year.

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