Economy & Markets
Asian central banks, currencies, trade flows, commodities and the supply chains wiring the Indo-Pacific.
Indonesia's Debt Wall Tests an Economy Running on Borrowed Time
Indonesia's central government debt is approaching 10 quadrillion rupiah, with a record debt wall of 833.96 trillion rupiah due in 2026. Int
Hantavirus Scare Reveals Divergent US and China Strategies on mRNA Technology
A Dutch cruise ship docked in Tenerife after a hantavirus cluster caused three deaths. The incident underscores a growing gap: China invests
EU and Japan Forge Deeper Alliance to Counter China's Supply Chain Dominance
The EU and Japan are intensifying coordination to break China's grip on critical minerals and clean technology supply chains. Their May 2025
Why the World Needs a China Shock 2.0 for Green Growth
China's surge in EVs, batteries, and renewables offers a deflationary buffer for global middle classes. Western tariffs risk a protectionism
Indonesia's Rupiah Crisis Signals End of Old Emerging Market Playbook
The rupiah closed at 17,445 per dollar on May 5, its weakest ever, prompting Bank Indonesia to tighten forex rules for the third time in two
Massive $920 Million Oil Short Bet Raises Insider Trading Questions Ahead of Iran Peace Report
A trader placed nearly $920 million in crude oil short positions just over an hour before a report emerged that the US and Iran were nearing
AI Chiefs Pivot on Jobocalypse as Public Backlash Grows
OpenAI's Sam Altman now says AI won't take jobs, a reversal from earlier warnings of a 'new idle class.' Polls show Americans turning agains
Trump Could Invite Chinese Carmakers to US with Conditions, Analysts Suggest
China is the world's largest auto exporter and seeks US manufacturing. Over 70 House Democrats urge Trump to block Chinese cars. A condition
Asia Fractures Into Energy Security Haves and Have-Nots Amid Hormuz Crisis
Japan, South Korea, and Singapore can outbid rivals for fuel, while Bangladesh and Thailand face soaring costs and fiscal strain. The crisis
How Korea and Taiwan Became the Unlikely Winners of the AI Boom
South Korea and Taiwan have become the largest economic beneficiaries of the AI era, driven by companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC. T
UAE Exit from OPEC Signals Shift from Oil Shortage to Potential Surplus
The United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from OPEC, a move that could lead to increased oil production and a potential global s
Global Fragmentation Reshapes Asia's Economic Future
Asia's economic rise relied on stable globalization, but escalating instability around the Strait of Hormuz and geopolitical rivalry are rew