Perspective

PERSPECTIVE

Manias, panics and AI

The history of investment booms suggests three questions that should be asked of the current one

US President Donald Trump (right) on Nov 20 announced that "certain agricultural imports from Brazil should no longer be subject to the additional (40% surcharge)", handing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a win.
PERSPECTIVE

Brazil offers lesson in winning the ‘Taco’ trade

Global politicians need to understand that White House policy is driven by melodrama and instinct

Although a market crash would surprise almost nobody, few have thought about its consequences.
PERSPECTIVE

How markets could topple the global economy

If the AI bubble bursts, an unusual recession could follow

Solar panels on the roof of a railway station in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. By the end of last year, China had installed 887 gigawatts of solar-power capacity – close to double Europe’s and America’s combined total.
PERSPECTIVE

China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics

The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising

In 2024, Brazil provided about six times more beef to the US than Argentina. However, 76.4 per cent tariffs are likely to affect supply and price.
PERSPECTIVE

The steak economy is more than just high prices

Markets – like armies – march on their stomachs

Simba and M1 have pledged to retain their popular S$10 and S$12 mobile plans for at least two years, and to maintain pricing for existing customers during that period.
PERSPECTIVE

Rare public consultation on Simba-M1 deal will test our telco values

In an age of cyberthreats and foreign interference, decisions on who controls core infrastructure must go beyond closed-door reviews

Asean+3 navigated the last tightening cycle without spiralling into crisis, but another severe shock could still expose fault lines and strain buffers, says the writer.
PERSPECTIVE

Asean+3 weathered the last global tightening storm. What about the next?

Solid fundamentals, pragmatic policies and strong coordination can preserve financial stability, but we must not be complacent

A wildfire burns in Garano, north-western Spain. Nearly four-fifths of the world's land has faced all-time-high temperatures this century.
PERSPECTIVE

A chart climate change deniers can’t ignore

The highest land-surface temperatures have been recorded in recent decades. The world is getting hotter – and fast

The EU’s trade pivot gives Asean another lever in balancing relations with China and the US. But the leverage only exists if Asean businesses can deliver on the higher standards that Europe now requires.
PERSPECTIVE

Asean’s next big test: Winning from accelerated EU trade deals

If the 10-nation bloc’s corporates move quickly, the region could see a wave of new European investment and establish a stronger foothold in global supply chains

Since China now dominates green energy production, Trump is perhaps hitting back by trying to crush that boom and force regions such as Europe to buy US fossil fuels instead.
PERSPECTIVE

Trump’s climate tirade will not stop the new ESG

The US president’s assault on the green energy ‘scam’ is part of the struggle with China for global economic hegemony