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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.

The backlash to Dr Anjani Sinha’s remarks after beginning his tenure in Singapore shows just how difficult his mission will be, says political observer Steven R Okun. SINGAPORE: “Increase our economic and commercial ties,” was what President Donald Trump instructed Dr Anjani Sinha before he assumed the post, according to the newly arrived US Ambassador to Singapore . Yet the backlash to Dr Sinha’s recent remarks shows just how difficult that mission will be under Mr Trump’s A

At a moment when business, politics, and global risk are converging,  Steven Okun  joined  The Quinntessential Questions Podcast with Paul Quinn  to explore what it really takes to lead in Asia. Steven reflects on how a journey that began on Bill Clinton’s campaign took him from Washington to Singapore - from opening China for UPS to helping shape the early foundations of ESG in Asia long before it became mainstream. The episode explores the biggest aviation case in U.S. hist

Investors who fail to assess and mitigate the potential harms of adopting Artificial Intelligence cannot credibly call themselves “responsible”. By Steven Okun, Megan Willis, Noemie Viterale Nov. 12, 2025 A hyperscaler data centre. For investors in AI, the test will be how to ensure adoption of AI while mitigating the harm from job losses, the increase in income inequality, and the damage to the environment. Image: Tommy Young/Flickr Artificial Intelligence (AI) did not exis

The Unchecked Leader: Why Great Decisions Demand Checks, Balances, and Empathy — with Steve Okun When the stakes are high, one mind isn’t enough.In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson  and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien  sit down with Steven “Steve” Okun —ranked #2 on LinkedIn for Geopolitics & International Relations  in Singapore (Favikon, July 2025)—to explore why the best leaders design decision systems : collaboration, diverse perspectiv

Geopolitics isn’t a backdrop anymore—it’s the arena. I talked with  Steven Okun , CEO of APAC Advisors, to unpack the collision of business and government across Asia: America-first trade policy, the shift from multilateral to bilateral deals, tighter forced-labor enforcement, and why due diligence now requires “Sherlock-level” scrutiny. What you’ll learn: how policy shocks ripple through supply chains and capital flows, what investors and operators must do to stay compliant

Will ASEAN come together or fracture in dealing with America First? Can the US-China trade war stabalize? How will Chinese transshipments be addressed in a US-Malaysia agreement? Is there a coalition led by the US that can be developed to counter China's dominance of Rare Earth  The only thing we know for sure: Malaysia, South Korea and Japan will each engage in "flattery diplomacy" given that's the playbook all governments use when it comes to Trump. Breaking down what to wa

Concern is increasing throughout Southeast Asia as U.S. officials, intent on slowing China, have yet to say how they will define the origin country of imports. Trump administration officials have been vocal about setting one rule-of-origin target for the region. They have focused on 30 percent: Any product containing more than that level of foreign parts or content sent to the United States would face the special transshipment tariff. While discussions are fluid, one thing is

The U.S. announced agreements on Sunday with Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, securing support for its efforts to pressure China on trade and critical minerals. While the statements did not mention China, to varying degrees they signaled each country’s support for Mr. Trump’s aim to reduce China’s stranglehold on some of the most important materials that go into a wide array of products, such as batteries, smartphones and magnets for fighter jets. In addition, the statements

Steven Okun, CEO of public affairs consultancy APAC Advisors, said when interviewed that though Trump is not expected to make significant policy statements at the ASEAN Summit, his attendance itself sends an important signal that “Southeast Asia is key to the US from an economic perspective, a geopolitical perspective and a defence perspective.” “Just by taking off the fentanyl tariffs, that would put China at almost the same tariff rate as most Southeast Asian countries. And

Sinha Confirmed: Can Be Successful Ambassador to Singapore (Steven Okun's Analysis for  CNA ) As U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Anjani...

Their relationship has long been defined by rivalry, competing ambitions and a disputed border. Now, India and China are resuming direct...

Steven Okun, CEO of public affairs consulting firm APAC Advisors, acknowledged the importance of a meeting between the U.S. and Chinese...

Trump threatens to cancel Xi Jinping summit in wake of rare earth curbs that one analyst says had left US president ‘furious and...

Steven Okun is CEO of APAC Advisors, a geostrategic consultancy headquartered in Singapore who served in the Clinton administration....

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he's 'concerned' by reports of a Chinese ban on BHP iron ore imports. Steve Okun, the CEO of...

Steve analyzed the Democrats’ high-risk strategy in the looming U.S. government shutdown, and what it signals about both political...

U.S. President Donald Trump has driven out of his party nearly everyone with the temerity to challenge him, write Steven R Okun and...

Steven Okun of APAC Advisors says the SCO summit shows President Xi’s desires to be an architect of a new global trading framework, to...

Dr Anjani Sinha faltered at his confirmation hearing to become the US ambassador to Singapore, but he could still be a net positive to...

While the language of ESG is changing, its fundamental value for business is not. Some companies never used the term ESG publicly - even...

With Donald Trump in the White House, some Asian companies may believe they do not have to worry about forced labour in their operations...

As a recognized expert on U.S. foreign policy, global trade, sustainability, and corporate public affairs across the Asia-Pacific region,...

Steven discusses with Professor Frank Pieke on China’s response to the imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” by US President Donald Trump...

Steven Okun joined the Pacific Polarity podcast to break down the U.S.-Southeast Asia trade landscape, explaining how tariffs are...

President Donald Trump paused his steep tariffs due to the bond market, but more market turmoil may come, says US politics expert Steven...

With US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs about to reshape global trade, a coordinated response is the best way forward, say...

President Trump’s new tariffs, including a 24% tax on goods imported from Malaysia, have sparked a mix of reactions worldwide. While some...

President Donald Trump has called it 'Liberation Day' - but world leaders say his new round of tariffs is likely to trigger a global...

As Donald Trump unleashed his latest torrent of tariffs, he specifically targeted around 60 countries who've imposed their own taxes and...

Major auto-making nations have criticised US President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on foreign-made vehicles, with some promising...

This episode of Straight Talk Southeast Asia looks at key developments as the region is facing shocks from earthquakes to cuts in...

Busy morning on the International News Review. The Ukraine-US mineral deal side-lined as President Zelenskyy is double-teamed by...

One month in the White House and US President Donald Trump is wasting no time reshaping America. From dismantling key Biden-era policies...

Donald Trump has said that Americans could feel some 'pain' after tariffs were imposed on Mexico, Canada and China - rattling global...

What does new US leadership mean for investors & businesses in Asia?

If Trump is not convicted and disqualified from future office, he will be dominant voice in US politics in the next four years.

After nearly a decade of negotiations, 15 countries signed a mammoth trade deal redrawing global supply chains & reshaping world economy.

On US Election Day 2020, Steve Okun says, it's possible state GOP officials would do the right thing and respect their voter's choices.

CNA's panel of experts looks at America's Presidential Election 2020—impact on foreign policy & the Asia region specifically.

Election will be a referendum on the way President Trump handles the coronavirus outbreak and its economic impact.

ABC News Australia, 11 Sept 2019 Former Clinton admin official Steve Okun he says that peace could be elusive.

Steve Okun says there's no reason to be optimistic about Trump-Kim summit to be productive.