Andrew Hammond

Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab Tariq Al Said welcoming India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Muscat, Oman, on Dec 17, 2025.

India trade pivot accelerated by Trump tariffs

It is moving towards trade deals with richer nations so Indian companies can find their niche in global supply chains

After January 1, a levy equivalent to the emissions produced in the manufacturing process of the imported products will be required in the form of purchasing CBAM certificates.

New EU measure reshapes global decarbonisation landscape

It is the first time that the price of carbon in a defined jurisdiction will be externalised beyond borders

For Australia’s neighbours in Asean, the Bondi incident is a stark reminder that the region’s shared security bubble remains fragile.

Bondi attack: A grim reminder for security across Australia and Asia

The concern for security agencies is the potential for radicalisation to fester undetected within family units

Beijing has now surpassed Washington as the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity.

What 2026 holds for Asean on the US-China fault line

The new year could be defined by more disruptive Chinese exports, rising competition and the necessity of difficult balancing acts

Western powers, especially the US, have stepped up attempts in 2025 to prise apart Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
THE BOTTOM LINE

Putin’s productive Asia trip gives boost to business ties with India

Warmth of Modi-Putin relationship worries some of the West’s Asian allies, including those in Asean  

The consensus forecast is slower, robust growth built upon economic resilience but despite the forecast, the risk of hitting icebergs is growing.

OECD points to potential economic icebergs ahead

Rising trade restrictions between the US and other countries could ‘inflict significant damage’ on global output and supply chains

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Pyrenees in 2024. Macron has been invited to a tea ceremony in Guangzhou, where Xi’s father formerly resided as governor.

Macron bets on Beijing to save his legacy

The French leader will seek a new economic and diplomatic equilibrium with Chinese President Xi Jinping

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has used this year's G20 to call for accelerated reform of the World Bank, among others.

As US boycotts G20, China dominates the script

With Washington absent and tariffs imposed, Beijing seized the African summit to champion the Global South – and expand its influence

Overall global income inequality appears to be declining thanks in large part to two emerging market giants, China and India.

G20: Will Asian emerging markets continue to drive progress?

For the first time in 200 years, global income inequality is declining. But income inequality within nations could set this on reverse

Flags representing the nations of the G20 Leaders Summit at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in South Africa. This is the first time the G20 Summit will be held in Africa.
COMMENTARY

Corporate diplomacy the key focus as the world’s business leaders gather in South Africa

More than 2,000 private sector executives are in Johannesburg for the B20 meeting ahead of the G20 Summit this weekend