Following the State of the Union, Asia should brace for another round of tariff pressure. President Trump made his continued reliance on tariffs unmistakably clear, even as earlier legal authorities have been curtailed. With emergency powers ruled unconstitutional, the shift toward alternative, time-tested trade statutes signals that tariffs are not going away —-they are being re-engineered. The next phase is likely to involve Section 122 in the near term, followed by a retur

The benefits of AI may arrive in the future — but the costs are being paid now. While AI holds the promise of significant societal upside, its environmental footprint and workforce impacts are immediate. That imbalance is likely to drive further disruption unless it is addressed deliberately and early. A key part of this conversation is the green AI paradox  — and it was great to see APAC Advisors Senior Advisor Megan Willis  bring her deep expertise on the social impacts of

A US Supreme Court ruling has fundamentally shifted the economics of Trump-era tariff deals. With a uniform tariff rate now set at 15%, countries that agreed to higher rates — often alongside large investment commitments — now find themselves at a clear disadvantage. As reported by The New York Times , governments across Asia are reassessing whether moving quickly to secure deals was a strategic misstep, and whether those agreements will ultimately hold. As APAC Advisors CEO

A US Supreme Court ruling has added fresh uncertainty for countries that struck tariff deals under Trump’s emergency authorities. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera English , APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun unpacked what this means for countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, now caught between legacy tariff commitments and a shifting legal landscape in Washington. With Trump’s emergency tariff powers curtailed and new tariffs time-limited, leverage dynamics have changed —

In the Trump 2.0 era, government relations and public relations can no longer operate in silos. One year into President Trump’s return to office, the central challenge for public affairs and communications leaders in Asia is internalising a new geopolitical reality — one where America First policies and US–China dynamics directly shape reputational risk and business outcomes. In a recent private briefing held in APAC Advisors’ capacity as senior advisors to Edelman, APAC Advi

n a world shaped by geopolitics, trade, and AI, career paths are anything but linear. During a guest lecture at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun shared how trade negotiations play out in the real world — and what that means for businesses navigating global complexity. The conversation also turned to career advice for students interested in international relations. Three themes stood out: the importance of making yourself unique

Geopolitics is increasingly shaping what responsible AI looks like in practice. In a recent guest lecture with ESSEC Business School’s Asia-Pacific cohort in Singapore, APAC Advisors explored how geopolitical forces are pushing businesses and investors to confront the Responsible AI trilemma — emissions, job displacement, and inequality. The discussion highlighted a growing recognition among business leaders that responsible AI is no longer optional. It is being driven by rea

“China comes to the world” is no longer a future scenario — it’s already underway. As Chinese companies move beyond EVs into robotics, advanced manufacturing, and Physical AI, their ability to combine software, hardware, and scale is positioning them to compete globally. Companies that have succeeded in China’s complex, fragmented domestic market are increasingly well placed to expand into growth regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe — sooner rathe

What does Year 2 of Trump 2.0 mean for markets, geopolitics, and the global order?In the latest Second Term Trump discussion at The Nanson, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun In the latest Second Term Trump  discussion at The Nanson, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun joined Taimur Baig and Ethan Wu to unpack the macro picture — from why the US and China remain globally dominant, to why AI is set to become a central issue in upcoming US midterms. The discussion highlighted a surprising

In a recent ABC interview, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun unpacked why, under traditional FTA definitions, the answer is no — but why, in today’s fractured global trading system, that framing may be missing the bigger picture. With the rules-based order under strain, this deal could signal the emergence of a new trade architecture — one shaped without the U.S. or China as the primary architects. In that sense, it may well mark the beginning of something far bigger. Great to se

Trade is no longer just an economic tool — it’s a geopolitical weapon. In a recent CNBC segment, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun unpacked why the market relief following Trump’s Greenland tariff pause is likely temporary, and why the U.S. is increasingly mirroring China in weaponising trade. The implications for businesses are significant: greater uncertainty, higher risk, and a more politicised operating environment. As geopolitical playbooks converge, companies and investors

AI: More Excited or Concerned? Reflections from a Guest Lecture at Elon University APAC Advisors recently hosted a guest lecture with students from Elon University’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business during their visit to Singapore, centred on a simple but revealing question: are students more excited or more concerned about artificial intelligence? For many of the students, this was their first structured discussion on AI beyond the technology itself. The conversati

Make Yourself Unique: Geopolitics and Global Careers in an Uncertain World APAC Advisors recently joined graduate students from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Johns Hopkins University–Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies for a guest lecture on how geopolitics is shaping global careers. The discussion reflected how far geopolitics has moved beyond traditional policy analysis. Today, it influences business strateg

The star of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in Asia should be its most enduring export – its founding principles Steven Okun Published: 5:30am, 27 Feb 2026 In his farewell address, then US president Ronald Reagan advocated for the United States to do “a better job of getting across that America is freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rare”. The Trump administration should follow Reagan’s advice as it desig

AI promises productivity gains, but without corporate and investor commitment, Singapore risks deeper inequality, higher emissions, and growing social strain as jobs are lost. By Steven Okun, Megan Willis, Noemie Viterale Feb. 20, 2026 Artificial Intelligence (AI) empowers businesses to do more with less people. Many businesses are racing ahead to take full advantage. DBS Bank’s announcement that AI will eliminate 4,000 jobs across 19 markets provides both a proof point and

At  The Nanson , we went behind the scenes of Hollywood. No soundbites, just an honest look at an industry being reshaped by streaming platforms and the growing influence of AI. Steve had the pleasure of moderating a conversation with his friend  Brunson Green  -- Academy Award–nominated producer for THE HELP -- and someone who knows the industry beyond the glossy headlines. The conversation took some personal turns, including stories about life with his husband, Jason Collin

Trang (Tris) Ha Thao Nguyen  invited Steve for an interview for the global affairs program Global Insight to forecast global clean energy momentum for the next 5 years and how this may be affected by changing climate policies from the US and China. The first question: What do you see as the main reasons behind US President Donald Trump’s climate stance?  Simple. He does not believe in the climate crisis. And, a focus away from traditional energy sources would harm the US econ

Provided the lunch keynote for the  Nomura  ASEAN+ Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.  This kicks-off my speaker series focusing on Year 2 of Trump 2 and how the US midterms will impact geopolitics.  One key area to watch: Trump focusing domestically on affordability, which can impact both domestic policies and tariffs, while his also being even less constrained internationally.  Great discussion with  Euben Paracuelles  following his keynote and thanks to Amy Ng and  Linda Nga

Trade Uncertainties Challenge for Manufacturers Globally Thanks to  AMCHAM Malaysia (American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce)  for bringing Steve to Penang to lead an in-depth discussion connecting the front page to the business section for its members there. While entering the second year of Trump brings clarity the former global rules-based trading system will not come back, uncertainties still abound, including whether the US and China will reach a deal to reduce tariffs, h

The First AI Election: What the 2026 Midtetms Will Mean for the US — And Why It Matters in Asia For Steve's session with  AmCham HK  today, he discussed how AI will be central to the US elections, and what lessons that may bring for businesses and investors in Asia.  Great to be joined by  Delicia T.  of  Edelman  to discuss how communications and public affairs must become more integrated, and thanks to Eden Woon who moderated the discussion.