Dear ST reader,
Donald Trump’s tariff blitz has left Asia’s leaders scrambling to appease the US President, even as the world watches for fresh edicts this week.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Washington, armed with trade concessions that could boost American exports to India. Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba, who visited last week, highlighted his country’s huge investment in the US and the number of American jobs created. But no tariff exemptions were secured, reports Walter Sim from Tokyo.
Taiwan has said it’s willing to buy more natural gas from Alaska, in the hope this staves off threatened tariffs of up to 100 per cent on its semiconductor chips. Meanwhile, South Korea is struggling to counter the 25 per cent tariff just declared on all steel and aluminium imports to the US, says Wendy Teo, as its political crisis has created a leadership vacuum.
Over in China, Aw Cheng Wei embarks on a quest for nian wei, or Chinese New Year spirit, in the Hubei countryside. Meanwhile, Michelle Ng explains why, despite record spending for the spring festival this year, China’s economic recovery is still uncertain.
Finally, are Singaporeans just proud of their achievements or is there a whiff of arrogance about them? Magdalene Fung examines whether there’s an image problem that needs resolving.
Taiwan scrambles to appease Trump as threat of US tariffs looms
No ‘Donald’ or ‘Shigeru’: Leaders’ arm’s-length interactions signal obstacles for US-Japan ties
Marcos-Duterte feud kicks off midterm election season
‘BJP has got its mojo back’: Indian PM Modi’s party boosted by Delhi election win
China coal surge challenges climate pledges, green investment: Study
Celebrating CNY in rural China: No hongbao but there are fireworks and firecrackers
