Dear reader,
Our US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar recently wrote on how US President Donald Trump’s ambition to bring manufacturing – and jobs – back to the US is playing out on the factory floor thus far.
One of those she spoke to was Brian Riley, the boss of a bike company that developed a patented brake technology aimed at preventing young cyclists from being thrown over the handlebars when they brake too hard. But in trying to shop his technology to US bicycle companies, he found they all made their two-wheelers in China. In 2022, he opened a plant in Seymour, Indiana, to better control the production and delivery process to consumers. Today, slightly half of his bikes’ components are made in the US, and he wants to get it up to three quarters next year.
But such stories ebullient about the possibilities of the Made-in-America mission are still far and few in between.
Elana Ruffman, the scion of a toy company based in Illinois, is suing Mr Trump for his April 2 slew of so-called reciprocal tariffs. Several other small US companies are also seeking refunds for bearing the cost of tariffs. The cases are being heard by the US Supreme Court on Nov 5. The Straits Times will be bringing you Bhagyashree’s take on this.
It is just not possible for her family business to now make its toys in the US, says Ms Ruffman, pointing to prohibitive labour costs – average manufacturing wages in the US are eight times that of China’s – as well as the challenges of finding US factories willing to take small orders.
Mr Trump’s attempt to bring manufacturing home can feel very much like a pipe dream. Observers have also said, for instance, that the detention of more than 300 skilled South Korean workers – technicians and engineers – in the Sept 4 raid on a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia was indicative of the manpower shortage in the US.
However this manufacturing ambition pans out, what seems clear is that whoever sits in the White House, he or she will be reluctant to let go of the Trump-era tariffs, given its infusion of revenues. Tariff collections in 2025 stand at US$190 billion so far, reported the Treasury Department, a 160 per cent increase from last year.
Speaking of seats of power, New Yorkers have made history by electing their first Muslim, Asian-American mayor in Zohran Mamdani. The 34-year-old’s election reverberates beyond New York City – with questions being raised of whether it could portend a direction in which the beleaguered Democrats could move, in order to challenge the Republican Party and the MAGA movement.
Outside of the US, there are ripples too.
In India, where Mr Mamdani’s parents hail from, he evokes both pride and derision.
Mr Mamdani has spoken out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party, saying during recent Deepavali visits to Hindu temples in Queens that Mr Modi’s vision of India is one that “only has room for certain kinds of Indians”.
As my colleagues point out, this headline in a local India news site says it all: “Anti-Hindu democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani becomes New York City’s 1st Muslim mayor”.
The Times of Israel, meanwhile, headlines its report thus, given Mr Mamdani’s strong pro-Palestinian stance: “Far-left, anti-Israel candidate Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral race”.
We also expect some interest from readers in South-east Asia. The Straits Times’ bureaus across the region will track developments and bring you the latest.
As usual, I leave you with a selection of some of our best reads and podcasts from our correspondents in the past week. Meanwhile, if you have feedback or views you’d like to share, do drop me an email.
Till then.
‘Epok-epok’ storm: When Indonesian politics turns into live streaming
Vietnam steps up reclamation work on strategic reef in South China Sea
Malaysia defends US trade pact dubbed ‘act of surrender’ amid sovereignty concerns
No shame in the art of the fawn – Asia’s way with Trump and China
Panda-mania: S’pore fans fly to China to see Le Le, others race to catch Hua Hua
Backyard cafes in JB give their owners hope to extend land lease, preserve kampung heritage
Behind late HK actor Benz Hui’s work lies a profound message for viewers
A fading Europe struggles to be heard in new world order
If you received this newsletter from someone, sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox weekly!
If you have any feedback, please drop us an e-mail at st-newsletters@sph.com.sg