“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.

A Hedge Against an Unpredictable United States Western middle powers like Britain, feeling increasingly alienated by the United States, are now looking to hedge their economic interests by rebalancing toward China, analysts said. “For the past few years, companies were diversifying and de-risking from China. Now, they are doing so from the United States,” said Steve Okun, head of APAC Advisors, a geopolitical consulting firm. Mr. Xi offered a thinly veiled critique of the cur

The World Economic Forum meeting at Davos shows that the room for manoeuvre is narrowing for middle powers, says US politics observer Steven Okun. SINGAPORE: The end of this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos should not bring relief to anyone. Stocks rallied when United States President Donald Trump announced he would not use force to seize Greenland . However, the global economic order governments spent decades building, which markets benefited from, no longer exists. Sin

The resistance to Artificial Intelligence will come from the social disruption it will bring – and data centres will be where that backlash lands first. Investors in AI must ensure that its benefits are shared across society, harm is reduced, and value created local Artificial intelligence (AI) fuels one of Asia’s fastest infrastructure expansions in decades – data centres, which are essential to achieve the promise of AI, such as advances in education, health care, longevity

Renee Good’s death could be a rallying point against President Donald Trump or a turning point towards a more authoritarian government, says US politics expert Steven Okun. SINGAPORE: The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis last week has become tragedy and political flashpoint. Her death exposed just how badly the US has fractured. For one side, the killing of the unarmed 37-year-old mother of

Domestic resistance grows as US president's foreign-policy latitude expands Steven R Okun and Thurgood Marshall Jr Steven R Okun and Thurgood Marshall Jr served in the Clinton administration as deputy general counsel at the Department of Transportation and White House Cabinet Secretary, respectively. Okun serves as CEO of APAC Advisors in Singapore. Marshall practices law in Washington. Even with his Houdini-like ability to escape consequences for actions once thought impossi

Commerce Secretary Lutnick said the US expects a large investment pledge in excess of $300 billion from Taiwan in trade talks. Lutnick also said they would help train US workers for advanced semiconductor production. Taiwan maintains such training is not part of bilateral tariff negotiations. Just another example of America First where US treats its partners more as vassal states. Given Japan pledged to invest $550 billion and South Korea $350 billion, Taiwan got off light.