Media Mentions

Amb. Kurt Tong, Managing Partner for The Asia Group, recently talked with Taiwan’s leading business magazine Commonwealth for an in-depth interview, sharing his insight on what Trump 2.0 means for U.S.-Taiwan economic ties and further implications on cross-Strait investment outlook. Full story here: https://www.cw.com.tw/article/5133214 (Chinese language)

“Donald Trump is bringing his “America First” agenda back to U.S. foreign policy. What could this mean for Japan and the partners in Asia? Experts on trade, defense and diplomacy discuss the impact.”

TAG India Chair Ashok Malik spoke at the Keidanren South Asia Regional Committee event on furthering India-Japan economic cooperation. He discussed the state of and prospects for economic growth in India and provided an outlook for India-Japan economic relations.

As Trump 2.0’s presidency nears, India anticipates increased Indo-Pacific and West Asia cooperation with the US. Quad and Abraham Accords revitalisation are likely, alongside addressing South Asian challenges. India seeks US sensitivity to its regional concerns, mirroring its support for US interests during past crises.

“Beijing has never liked the trilateralism facilitated by Yoon’s leadership… [they are] happy with any political instability that could create frictions between the US and South Korea or South Korea and Japan”

“China is better prepared now than during Trump 1.0,” Lin told RFA. “It has a wider range of carrot-and-stick trade responses, but the ever-present need for foreign investment may calibrate their behavior to send a message of strength without unnecessary escalation.”

Donald Trump’s second term as Potus has triggered concern in many trade-focused circles both in India and the US. Many stakeholders across the policy, business and academic communities highlight the damaging impacts of potential Trump tariffs, with his explicit plan calling for 60% tariffs on all Chinese imports, and 10-20% for all other countries.

The slowdown of capital controls loosening has been a “primary detriment to China and to Shanghai being an international financial center in the conventional sense,” said Han Lin, China Country Director, The Asia Group.  “But capital controls are ultimately a matter of national security to Beijing.”

(Start on Minute: 16:55) “Water shortages affect Chinese agriculture and pose risks to its drive toward food security by increasing the need for imports at a time when China is trying to become more food self-sufficient.  It’s no coincidence that China’s richest man sells water.” says Han Lin, China Country Director, The Asia Group.

TAG Partner and Chair of the Australia Practice, Hon. Arthur Sinodinos, was a distinguished speaker at the ING Wholesale Bank Global Capital Markets dinner on November 20th,  where he discussed implications for the macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape following the U.S. election.