Commentary: If Singapore decides to invest in nuclear energy, floating power plants deserve a closer look

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In any case, nuclear energy requires stringent safety and regulatory supervision, involving many organisations.

Classification cultures evaluate the safety of new vessels and have begun issuing detailed guidelines for floating Biomarkers. &nbsp,

Along with business partners, they established the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation last year to help national and international regulatory work. The International Maritime Organization, accountable for marine pollutants protection and vehicle health, and the International Atomic Energy Agency are also working on floating Biomarkers and nuclear-powered boats, given the increasing weather change-driven interest in them.

WORTH SERIOUS Account

Selecting a protected and financially viable site may be important. &nbsp,

Further waters are desirable for cooling purposes and constrained economic impacts, but a site like Changi may pose risks due to its proximity to the airport and possible airplane accidents affecting the plant. Coastal traffic regulations and protective measures, such as safety protocols, may be needed. &nbsp,

Proximity to industrial plants on Jurong Island in demand of heat or steam could enhance economic viability, making the nuclear cogeneration plant ( s ) more cost competitive, and desalination is another option.

If Singapore decides to pursue nuclear energy, floating Biomarkers warrant serious consideration. They offer different advantages in place choice, deployment freedom, lack of vegetation requirements, and potential integration with business processes. But, financial viability, health, regulatory requirements, and economic impacts has been thoroughly evaluated to determine whether they coincide with Singapore’s long-term power strategy.

Stefan Huebner&nbsp, is President of the&nbsp, Society of Floating Solutions ( Singapore ) and Senior Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore. His latest research concerns the history and present condition of sea urbanization and urbanisation jobs.

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Johor’s 5-year plan to be self-reliant for treated water a ‘challenging’ timeline: Analysts

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But experts have cautioned that meeting the timeline may become challenging given the scale of design. &nbsp,

They cited that on average, dams usually take about eight years to construct. Even though water treatment plants may be designed and commissioned in two decades, the pools are essential in increasing the volume of natural ocean Johor collects, they added. &nbsp,

However, some are sceptical that the five-year timetable is attainable provided there is assistance from Putrajaya. &nbsp,

” Achieving the precise water resources within five years is a major problem, but not an unattainable one”, water value and modelling professional Zaki Zainuddin told CNA. &nbsp,

He stressed that this problem is particularly serious for Malaysia to maintain Johor aims for self-sufficiency in ocean provide and resources. &nbsp,

” This is especially relevant for Johor ( often regarded as Malaysia’s second or third most developed state ). The necessity is further amplified by Johor’s interests in the data center business”, said Zaki, who is an expert panelist for Malaysia’s Department of Environment and is assistant to economic advisory firms. &nbsp,

Conservation professor Serina Rahman, who is a teacher with the National University of Singapore’s Southeast Asian Studies office, echoed similar views. &nbsp,

She told CNA:” Johor has had an influx of investment in recent years so I think financially ( supporting quick construction of the projects ) might not be a problem- especially if there is top-down support ( from Putrajaya )”.

Serina added that the water deal with Singapore expires in 2061 and that looking ahead to this, it was important for Malaysia and Johor to get impartial in treating its own waters. &nbsp,

” The demand for water in Johor may increase especially with expenditures related to the exclusive economic zone expected to bring people to stay and remain based in Johor. Perhaps Johor is now at a stage of development that enables it to process its own water”, she said. &nbsp,

Earlier this year, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong witnessed the exchange of an agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone ( JS-SEZ ) at the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders ‘ Retreat in Putrajaya.

The JS-SEZ is to be jointly run by Malaysia and Singapore with both countries setting sights on the creation of 20, 000 skilled jobs in the first five years. &nbsp,

DATA CENTRES ‘ EXPANSION MUST BE MANAGED: EXPERTS&nbsp, &nbsp,

Even as the five-year plan to develop the reservoirs and treatment plants is expected to supercharge water supply in Johor once they are completed, analysts CNA spoke to stressed that the state government must be careful in managing the expansion of the data centre industry.

This as the industry is energy-intensive and requires a copious amount and consistent supply of water for cooling systems. &nbsp,

Speaking at an event in July 2024, then-Johor Bahru city council mayor Mohd Noorazam Osman stressed that the current focus on data centres is “understandable” but that the “real issue” in Johor is water and power supply. &nbsp,

” As a local authority, I believe attracting investments is important, but it should not come at the expense of the people’s needs”, he had said. &nbsp,

Johor is on its way to becoming a major data centre hub for Southeast Asia. According to data centre intelligence website DC Byte, the southern state’s data centre capacity has grown from just 10 megawatts ( MW) in 2021 to 1, 500MW in 2024. &nbsp,

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Heritage medallions, Merlion blind box: Singapore Mint launches SG60 commemorative collection

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The Kebaya: Threads of Cultural Beauty Seven-piece Coloured Magnet Display Set is likewise part of the SG60 variety. This set honors Singapore’s first global UNESCO monument,” Kebaya: Knowledge, Skills, Traditions, and Techniques”. &nbsp,

The magnet display set ( S$ 70 ) features seven traditional kebaya styles, each with interchangeable blouses and skirts. It reflects craft, history, and personality, telling a visual story of Southeast Asia’s abundant socio-cultural story, said the Singapore Mint.

” This collection pays tribute to the people who inspire us, the places that shape our memories, and the culture that unites us”, said the Singapore Mint.

The&nbsp, SG60 set may be featured at the Singapore International Coin Fair 2025, taking place from March 21 to 23, and may offer special sales.

The collection is available online&nbsp, and at the Singapore Mint wholesale outlets.

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How a US rate cut would ripple and wash through Asia – Asia Times

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February’s US prices record has given the Federal Reserve the room it needs to cut rates—and it may soon taking that action. With year-on-year inflation slowing to 2.8 %, down from 3 % in January, and monthly price growth decelerating, the Fed is under increasing pressure to act. &nbsp,

If it does, the results will resound across international markets, including Asia, where shifting financial situations will alter economies, currencies, and investments. A possible charge cut from the world’s most powerful central banks had so mark a turning level. &nbsp,

For more than a year, Eastern markets have contended with a strong money, forcing central banks to tighten policy to help their economies and curb inflation. If the Fed moves, that stress may comfortable.

Politicians in India, Indonesia and South Korea—previously hesitant to reduce rates—could have room to release economic conditions to help growth.

A weaker money is one of the most immediate outcomes. As price differentials small, the greenback’s dominance may probably diminish, lifting Asian currencies. The renminbi, which has been under stress due to policy difference with the Fed, may develop.

The Chinese rmb, facing challenges from Beijing’s economic change, does stabilize. This shift may offer relief to import-heavy markets and increase trade balances.

For capital markets, the repercussions are important. A Fed hinge may revive investor hunger for emerging markets, leading to new inflows into Asiatic stocks. India and Southeast Asia, with their strong progress stories, stand to benefit, while Hong Kong—long weighed down by outflows—could see a return in attitude. &nbsp,

Lower saving fees will help businesses, especially those in engineering and consumer businesses, which have struggled under high interest rates.

However, there are complexities. A Fed move to ease policy will not resolve all of Asia’s challenges. China, the region’s largest economy, continues to grapple with weak domestic demand and real estate troubles. While a softer dollar may ease liquidity concerns, sustained recovery will depend on Beijing’s policy choices.

Trade risks remain high. The potential rate cuts come as the US shifts toward a more protectionist stance. Trump’s renewed tariff threats on China introduce fresh uncertainty. Even if monetary easing boosts demand, tighter trade conditions could offset those benefits by disrupting supply chains and raising costs.

Commodities markets will react swiftly. A weaker dollar often fuels rallies in oil and industrial metals—key imports for Asia’s manufacturing economies.

While this could raise input costs, it may also indicate stronger demand, benefiting resource-rich nations like Indonesia and Australia. China, the world’s largest commodities consumer, will be closely watching these shifts.

For corporate borrowers, financing conditions will improve. Many Asian firms carry dollar-denominated debt, and a weaker US currency, combined with lower global borrowing costs, would ease repayment burdens. &nbsp,

This could, I believe, unlock delayed investment and support expansion, particularly in real estate and infrastructure sectors.

Bond markets will adjust quickly. As US Treasury yields decline, Asian fixed-income markets will look more attractive. Investors searching for yield will turn to local bonds, potentially lowering borrowing costs for governments and corporations across the region.

The banking sector in Asia is also likely also see changes. A lower interest rate environment in the US would encourage capital flows into emerging markets, reducing pressure on Asian lenders.

Lower borrowing costs may prompt increased credit growth, particularly in economies with robust banking sectors like Singapore and South Korea. But financial institutions must remain cautious about excessive risk-taking in a low-rate environment.

The impact on consumers will be mixed. While lower interest rates could stimulate economic activity, they may also fuel asset bubbles in real estate and equities. Countries like China and South Korea, where housing affordability is already a concern, will need to manage the risk of excessive price surges. &nbsp,

In addition, higher household purchasing power due to stronger currencies could provide a boost to domestic consumption, benefiting retailers and consumer-driven industries.

Asia’s policymakers will have to navigate this shifting landscape carefully. While many economies stand to benefit from the Fed’s potential rate cuts, regional central banks must decide how aggressively to adjust their own policies. Some may choose to maintain higher rates to ensure financial stability, while others could seize the opportunity to stimulate growth.

Ultimately, if the Fed cuts rates, Asia’s economic landscape will shift. The era of aggressive tightening is, I suspect, nearing its end, and a new phase of capital flows and risk positioning is beginning. &nbsp,

The Fed’s next move isn’t guaranteed, but the signs are there. Inflation is cooling, economic momentum is slowing, and policymakers are under pressure to act. The moment the Fed pulls the trigger, Asia will, or at least should, have to respond.

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VentureTech backs Pomen to drive digital transformation for fleet maintenance and workforce management 

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  • &nbsp, Investment did pull expansion into SEA, improve its platforms
  • Funds will increase products, adopt new technologies, and increase reach

VentureTECH Sdn Bhd ( VentureTECH), an impact investment company, has announced an undisclosed investment in Pomen Autodata Sdn Bhd, a Bumiputera company specialising in comprehensive Software-as-a-Service ( SaaS ) solutions focused on workforce efficiency and maintenance management — connecting demand and supply in the maintenance ecosystem. This collaboration aims to promote Pomen’s growth and enhance its impressive platforms, more digitalising the ecology for related services and operations.

Established in 2018, Pomen has emerged as a key player in incorporated SaaS options with flagship systems such as Enfleet and Engarage. Enfleet is an asset maintenance procedure management system, providing companies with clarity over their asset maintenance processes, while Engarage is a workforce management platform that enables service providers to handle end-to-end service operations. Both systems function as collaborative equipment, enhancing labor efficiency.

Trusted by consumers including Petronas, Maxis, and Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad, Pomen connects property owners with a community of over 2, 400 separate service companies nationwide. Through its innovative platforms, the firm is continuously enhancing its data analytics package to deliver deeper insights, predicted maintenance, and advice capabilities, with empty API integrations.

VentureTEC H’s funding may strengthen Pomen’s technical skills and push its local development into Southeast Asia. The partnership also focuses on fostering creativity, enabling Pomen to enhance its current services, connect emerging technologies, and expand its platforms to satisfy the diverse needs of industries. Through this growth, VentureTECH aims to position Pomen as a leader in digital transformation, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s evolving technology ecosystem.

Ahmad Redzuan Sidek, CEO of VentureTECH, said,” Our investment in Pomen underscores VentureTEC H’s commitment to fostering transformative local companies that champion digital innovation, socio-economic progress, and environmental sustainability. Pomen’s cutting-edge platforms address inefficiencies in the fleet maintenance ecosystem and workforce management, empowering businesses to optimise operations while creating opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to thrive in high-value sectors”.

” Beyond enhancing Pomen’s market position, this partnership will generate high-value skilled jobs in technology and engineering. By strengthening the digital ecosystem and promoting advanced technological solutions, we aim to contribute to Malaysia’s aspirations of becoming a hub for innovation”, he added.

Syed Zulhilmi Tuan Sharif, CEO of Pomen, said,” This partnership with VentureTECH marks a pivotal milestone for Pomen, validating our vision to revolutionise asset maintenance and workforce management through innovative technology. With VentureTEC H’s support, we are equipped to scale our solutions, expand our reach across various industries, and meet the growing demands of clients locally and regionally”.

” As we venture further into the ports and aviation sectors— industries that face similar challenges in asset reliability, operational efficiency, and workforce optimisation — we are committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency, create value for our clients and stakeholders, and contribute to broader digital transformation initiatives”, he added.

This investment aligns with VentureTEC H’s broader strategy to bridge funding gaps and strengthen the Malaysian startup ecosystem. This strategy is further reinforced through its collaboration with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd ( Cradle ) under the Fund Funnel Programme, which aims to establish a more structured funding pathway for startups. Pomen exemplifies this initiative’s goal of making strategic investments in high-potential companies, fostering catalytic growth in high-growth, high-value ( HGHV ) sectors, particularly in digitalisation and advanced technology solutions.

By partnering with Pomen, VentureTECH strengthens its mandate to drive HGHV sectors while advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda. &nbsp,

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Commentary: Watching India’s approach to navigating Trump 2.0

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AN ASIAN MODEL OF DEALING WITH DONALD TRUMP

Asia says may see, with curiosity, India’s approach to managing the problems posed by a subsequent Trump presidency.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue ( Quad ) could be one area where India could possibly be asked to do more in the security domain, as a key initiative to counter China.

While Southeast Asia had been tepid to this four-power system ( which also includes US, Australia and Japan ), a reinvigorated Quad could be seen as a positive development, contributing to a stable balance of power within East Asia. Southeast Asia was possibly expect a more noticeable role for India in the region, with the possibility of the joint India-Russia sonic BrahMos weapon finding buyers beyond the Philippines, especially since the US has signalled the need for countries to do more for their own safety. &nbsp,

In making bargains, downplaying variations and turning on the charm, India may offer an intriguing Eastern model of how to deal with the Trump presidency.

Dr Sinderpal Singh is&nbsp, Assistant Director and&nbsp, Coordinator of the South Asia Programme and Regional Security Architecture Programme, at the&nbsp, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, &nbsp, Nanyang Technological University.

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Snap Insight: Arrest of former Philippine president Duterte will be dogged by suspicions of political persecution

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POISED TO Follow Dreadful Record

Duterte’s democratic allies and followers are now crying foul and accusing the state of grave misuse of its strength.

The irony is that it is this same argument that inspired the terrible war on drugs as it bypassed expected approach, undermined civil rights and eroded the rule of law in the Philippines. When it takes an global court to force the cause of legal responsibilities and individual rights, it is a damning verdict of the integrity and quality of politics.

This latest season in the Marcos-Duterte conflict has added more proof that the future midterm elections in May will be defined by a polarisation between these two political groups.

It remains to be seen whether Duterte’s imprisonment will result in prison. He had registered to run for mayor of their family’s fort Davao City.

The next time a famous ex-president was detained was in 2001, when Joseph Estrada’s imprisonment led to a large political protest that nearly deposed the former government. In this “game of kings” in Southeast Asia’s oldest democracy, warring homes have usually resulted in political instability, financial ruin and democratic complacency.

Unless rulers remain constrained and institutions are allowed to operate, the Philippines is poised to replicate its dreadful history all over again.

Dr Aries A Arugay is a Visiting Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Philippine Studies Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. He is likewise Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman.

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Southeast Asia’s e-commerce to reach new heights, driven by digital payments and cross-border commerce growth

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  • By 2028, digital payments will make up 94 % of e-commerce transactions in SEA
  • Intra-SEA cross-border business set to hit$ 14.6B by 2028, growing 2.8 days from 2023

The latest report by market intelligence firm IDC, commissioned by global payments platform 2C2P and Antom, reveals that Southeast Asia’s ( SEA’s ) e-commerce market is projected to reach US$ 325 billion ( RM1.44 trillion ) by 2028. This development is fuelled by the rapid implementation of electronic payments and local portability, unlocking greater possibilities in cross-border business for businesses.

This week’s report, How Southeast Asia Buys and Pays 2025, marks the third edition of the IDC InfoBrief since 2021. It surveyed 600 responders across six South Asian markets— Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—examining the evolving modern payment landscape both locally and within each country. As the country’s fifth-largest business, SEA’s excellent growth trajectory is essentially driven by its expanding e-commerce market, underpinned by increasing online payment adoption.

The document explores the state’s evolving digital payments environment and provides a market-specific study of payment trends. It also highlights how these changes are reshaping organization methods and laying the foundation for future growth prospects.

Important features from the statement:

A comprehensive understanding of SEA’s digital payment landscape is critical to tapping into this US$ 325 billion ( RM1.44 trillion ) economy. To maximise approach within regional markets, businesses must give customers their chosen transaction methods, enhancing the overall consumer experience and driving higher conversion rates.

]RM1 = US$ 0.22]

    Growth in ecommerce digital payments: By 2028, digital payments are expected to account for 94 % of total e-commerce payments in Southeast Asia. The most significant growth will be seen in domestic payments (97.9 % ) and mobile wallets ( 94.9 % ), which have expanded e-commerce reach in regions that traditionally relied less on cards.

  • Surge in real-time payment (RTPs ): Speak are projected to grow rapidly, surpassing US$ 11 trillion by 2028. This pattern is now visible in Singapore, where Speak like PayNow are the second most supported payment method among surveyed stores in 2024. The fall of Gamification in Southeast Asia is largely driven by government efforts to reduce income reliance and promote strong, low-cost transaction solutions that benefit both customers and merchants.
  • Dominance of smart cards and local bills: Mobile cards and local payments remain the most popular payment methods across Southeast Asia. In 2023, smart cards were the best choice in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, while local bills dominated in Singapore and Thailand. This pattern continued in 2024, with smart cards ranking as the next most accepted payment method among surveyed stores in Singapore and the Philippines, and second in Indonesia and Thailand.
  • There are also significant opportunities across SEA in intra-SEA cross border commerce. &nbsp,

    Opportunities in cross-border commerce: Intra-SEA cross-border commerce is projected to reach$ 14.6 billion by 2028, a 2.8 times growth from 2023. Notably, except for Vietnam and Indonesia, average cross-border transaction values per customer surpass domestic values in SEA markets, highlighting significant opportunities for businesses operating in the region. &nbsp,

  • Driving cross-border commerce with regional payment connectivity ( RPC ): Cross-border commerce is further supported by initiatives such as regional payment connectivity ( RPC ), which includes all six SEA markets. This collaboration aims to streamline inter-country payments, enhancing efficiency and reducing transaction costs.
  • Higher returns in cross-border commerce: For 62 % of surveyed SEA merchants who sold their services and products across borders, such transactions were, on average, 21 % higher than domestic transactions. Merchants stand to reap significant rewards by looking beyond their shores and building up their capacity to cater to neighbouring markets.
  • Untapped potential of intra-SEA trade: Despite its promising growth, intra-SEA trade remains underutilised, accounting for only a small fraction of total cross-border commerce in each market. To fully capitalise on this, merchants must gain a deeper understanding of the distinctive operating environments in each market while leveraging shared advantages. By strategically addressing these factors, businesses can unlock the full potential of intra-regional trade and drive sustainable growth.

Agnes Chua, managing director of Business and Product Development of 2C2P, &nbsp, stated,” Southeast Asia’s e-commerce landscape is evolving at a breathtaking pace. Merchants recognise the immense opportunities this growth brings them in driving e-commerce revenue, but also acknowledge the increasing complexity it brings to their operations. This includes common challenges such as customer support and issue resolution, payment gateway integration and technology issues” .&nbsp,

” At 2C2P, we empower businesses to navigate these challenges with confidence by delivering payment solutions that simplify operations, enhance cross-border capabilities, and drive growth in the region’s rapidly expanding digital economy so merchants can quickly unlock new opportunities and thrive in this dynamic environment”, she added.

Gary Liu, general manager of Antom, Ant International, said,” Southeast Asia is rapidly emerging as a global hub for digital commerce and innovation. As businesses expand across borders, seamless and efficient transactions are essential for maintaining competitiveness. At Antom, we see payments not just as infrastructure but as a catalyst for business growth” .&nbsp,

” By working with 2C2P and other businesses within Ant International’s ecosystem, we empower merchants with unified payment and digitisation solutions covering the full payment lifecycle while also exploring opportunities in global account services, financing, and treasury management to further support their expansion. Through close collaboration with local regulators and industry partners, we aim to unlock new opportunities for businesses of all sizes, helping them thrive in Southeast Asia’s evolving digital economy”, he added.

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Time for East Asia to prepare for Trump shakedowns  – Asia Times

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” What happens in Ukraine now may occur in East Asia tomorrow”. This range from therefore Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s statement in June 2022 at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue of defence ministers in Singapore has just become alarmingly accurate, but for fresh reasons. His notice was about a regional war. Yesterday’s reality is that the treachery of Ukraine only exhibited by President Donald Trump was easily happen even in East Asia.

Trump’s followers may say that he is just trying to bring serenity at the end of three years of a dangerous conflict. However, while seeking peace sounds noble, what he is also doing is seeking a bargain with the country that made the invasion, in effect rewarding it for its aggression, and at the same time he is acting like a gangster boss toward the victim, Ukraine, demanding it hand over large amounts of its mineral rights in return for prior military and financial support.

This has exhibited two key traits of Trump and the” Make America Great Repeatedly” routine that he has created. The first is that he sees politics in a very conventional way, with country and offers to get thrashed out between the tremendous powers and their leaders, rather than in international forums of any kind. The second is that he defines power as leverage, and believes that leverage can and should be used especially against weaker countries. This is geopolitics as shake-down.

In East Asia, there is a superpower for him to bargain with, and there are plenty of candidates for the shake-down treatment. Nonetheless, we must also consider the counter-argument, the case for believing that what is happening to Ukraine will not happen in East Asia. This is based on two very rational points.

One is that, unlike in Europe, East and South-East Asian countries have generally based their relationship with the United States on interests, rather than values – so that, although Trump’s America clearly holds a different view of values ( on subjects such as human rights, democracy, justice and sovereignty ) than his predecessors, America’s interests remain the same. So why should dramatic change or shocks happen?

Like him or not, from this point of view Trump should be manageable.

The second idea, which serves to reinforce the first, is that most Republicans around Trump and in his administration believe that China represents the biggest worldwide threat to American power and security, and consider the contest with China to be the one on which the Trump administration needs to concentrate.

Indeed, some of these China hawks have argued against continued military support for Ukraine on the grounds that America needs to focus all its resources and attention on China. Trump himself has not tended to make that argument, but he has certainly sounded like he believes in being tough on China. Among his threats to impose import tariffs, the only one so far implemented has been an extra 10 % tariff on goods from China.

If these two points hold true, then the potential East Asian targets for a Trump shake-down – which are Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan – can relax. In the confrontation with China, even Trump’s America will need the support of its traditional Asian allies.

Let us hope that this proves to be the case. But hope, or “wishful thinking” as it might better be termed, is not a good strategy. The evidence from Europe, and from America’s neighbors Canada and Mexico, is that no one is immune from the Trump treatment. And, even more worryingly, Trump’s appetite for grand bargains with countries that he deems to be America’s fellow superpowers seems now to be even stronger than in his first term in office, in 2017-21.

Some of those who are looking for grand strategic intent behind Trump’s sudden overtures to Vladimir Putin have tried to rationalize this by arguing he might be trying to do a reverse Nixon-Kissinger. Those statesmen’s overtures to Mao Xedong in 1972 served to separate China from the Soviet Union, so perhaps Trump’s plan is to seduce Russia away from China, so as to increase America’s chances of suppressing the Chinese threat?

Perhaps. But this historical parallel does not look strong: China in 1972 had already split away from the Soviet Union, but in 2025 Russia and China remain closely aligned, still in the” strategic partnership without limits” that Putin and Xi Jinping signed up to on February 4, &nbsp, 2022, just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Whatever deal America might now do with Russia, it stretches credulity to think it could be large or profound enough to break Russia’s ties with China. Putin is evil but certainly not stupid and would not trust Trump sufficiently to sacrifice the ties with China and North Korea that he has built up.

This means that, although the potential dangers for East and Southeast Asia may not be as great as for Ukraine and Europe, they cannot be ignored.

Unlikely is it may seem to normal geopolitical strategists, President Trump is perfectly capable of believing that some sort of grand bargain with Xi Jinping could be achievable, and if the price of that were to be throwing allies under the metaphorical bus, he is capable of paying that price.

The China hawks around him would argue strongly against any such bargain. But some close advisers, most notably Elon Musk with his big Chinese Tesla car business, might prove much more pro-China. It would be foolish right now to place confident bets on how this balance might turn out.

The bigger and more immediate danger, however, is of Trump repeating his gangster-like shake-down behavior in East Asia.

Taiwan is the most obvious target, given the many false statements he has made in the past about how Taiwan” stole” the semiconductor business from America. Its dependence on American military protection against China makes it very vulnerable.

The same is true of the Philippines, whose navy is engaged in a daily struggle with Chinese coastguards and naval ships in the South China Sea. China might well seek to test Trump soon by taking even more aggressive action against the Philippines.

South Korea and Japan both know from his first term that they too are vulnerable.

The right way to respond is, first, to make sure that American political figures of all kinds are fully aware of the contribution that Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and South Korea make to America’s military posture in the region, and to show that the contribution is only going to increase.

And second, sad to say, countries need to plan retaliations against potential threats from Trump, in conjunction with regional allies, so as to convince him that they are not going to be easily bullied. You can hope for the best, but it is important to prepare for the worst.

Formerly editor-in-chief of The Economist, Bill Emmott is currently chairman of the&nbsp, Japan Society of the UK, the&nbsp, International Institute for Strategic Studies&nbsp, and the&nbsp, International Trade Institute.

Previously published on his Substack, Bill Emmott’s Global View, this is the English original of an article published in Japanese and English by the Mainichi Shimbun. It is republished here with kind permission.

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