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The businesses that adapt early to engage China, India and Asean will help draft Asia’s next chapter and profit from it Kishore MahbubaniandSteven Okun Published: 4:30pm, 15 Sep 2026Updated: 5:21pm, 15 Sep 2026 The ending of the American century is coinciding with an Asian renaissance. America remains the world’s largest economy and will stay that way for another decade or two. But its economy no longer dominates the world. And its “America first” policy has partners and alli

President Donald Trump offered voters a quid pro quo, saying elect Republicans and get a $5,000 payout, which he called the Trump dividend. Trump's announcement was met with skepticism, with some seeing it as a desperate attempt to motivate voters and others predicting it will backfire, particularly given the US debt at record levels. “Independents and swing voters will see this as a ploy and not a solution to the their affordability problems. That’s why this will backfire,”

Guest: Steven Okun (CEO), APAC Advisors The US and Canada have one of the world's most deeply integrated trading relationships, but tariff threats and tensions over sovereignty have pushed the two neighbours into an escalating trade war. Steven Okun, Founder & CEO of APAC Advisors, discusses how the negotiations broke down and what this means for the future of USMCA and the world.

Artificial Intelligence’s environmental, workforce, consumer and governance risks already belong in existing risk and disclosure systems. Companies waiting on a Responsible AI policy are ignoring the obvious. By Steven Okun and Megan Willis, Noemie Viterale Companies exempting artificial intelligence (AI) from their existing governance system take a great and unnecessary risk in doing so. As companies race to integrate AI across their operations, they do so with the twin goal

The most credible messengers are the companies and investors who profit from the Republic’s success every day For decades, the US prized partners that upheld the rule of law, kept markets open and met high standards on trade and investment – making Singapore the natural choice for its first Asian free trade agreement partner. Singapore’s values and commitments to the US have not changed.\ For the US, that calculus has shifted as those values are not priorities of an “America

Asia is simultaneously racing to decarbonise and navigating some of the most volatile geopolitics in decades. The ongoing Gulf conflict has exposed the vulnerabilities of the region’s energy system, by way of import dependence, limited fuel diversification and concentrated supply routes, compounding existing pressures from grid bottlenecks, regulatory uncertainty and weak investment signals. Yet, the transition remains underway. Renewable energy capacity continues to expand,

Trade, once central to Donald Trump’s political rise, could turn against him and the Republican Party in the 2026 midterms. Tariffs, the war with Iran, and uncertainty over USMCA are moving trade front and center this year, especially in trade-exposed states, potentially helping Democrats reclaim the House and possibly the Senate. Steven Okun and Noemie Viterale “It’s the economy, stupid,” a phrase from Bill Clinton’s winning 1992 Presidential campaign, epitomizes how economi

Current U.S. politics, foreign policy, and global trade dynamics intersect to create complex international ramifications. Steven Okun, founder and CEO of APAC Advisors Singapore, discussed how the fragmentation of global trade is reshaping Asia’s economic and geopolitical landscape.

International Feature: Trump's Family Wealth Soars During His Second Term, Raising Concerns About Using Public Power for Private Gain President Trump's wealth has skyrocketed during his second term, with his companies making numerous overseas investments, sparking a storm of speculation. Although he claims his businesses are now managed by his son, the overlap between policy-making and family interests renders the US's political recusal mechanisms ineffective. When public pow

The Democratic Party bench is deep and an answer to who its nominee is won’t emerge until much later. Steven R. Okun and Thurgood Marshall Jr Published Jun 27, 2026, 05:00 AM Last week, former US first lady Michelle Obama took the stage at the Obama Presidential Library – and within hours, speculation began once more about whether she might finally enter the race for US president. It is a ritual by now. Each rare occasion she gives a speech, Democrats swoon. Few people connec

As featured in Eco-Business, June 24, 2026 AI governance is no longer a technology department problem. It's a boardroom imperative — and most companies aren't treating it that way. That's the view Steve Okun, Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors, shared in a recent Eco-Business feature on AI's mounting societal risks in Singapore. His core argument: the risks AI brings cut across every geography, sector, and stakeholder group, and nearly every business now plays a role in shaping

Journalism in a World of Obsolete Geopolitical Assumptions There is no "trade truce" between the US and China. That was Steve Okun's opening line — and he meant every word of it. Steve returned for his annual session with the National Press Foundation's International Trade Reporting Fellowship, speaking to 25 journalists from across Asia on geopolitics and trade. The message was clear: too many stories are still being told through a lens that no longer reflects reality. Three

Why does this matter so much for Asian economies? The closure of the strait of Hormuz provided a “stark wake-up call” exposing the region’s vulnerability, according to a report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) last week. Before the crisis, 60% of south-east Asia’s imports of crude oil and a third of its imports of gas came from the Middle East, according to the IEA. The region’s energy import bill is projected to reach $160bn this year – double the $80bn bill

While the US and Chinese markets are essential, other countries are making deals with each other in search of more diversified trade Steven Okun and Kellie Meiman Hock Published: 8:30pm, 18 Jun 2026 As US President Donald Trump rebuilds the tariff wall the country’s Supreme Court knocked down, the headlines fixate on each individual block. With the global 10 per cent tariff initially levied in response expiring on July 24, the Trump administration is preparing to replace it b

Steven Okun, CEO of APAC Advisors, joined Sri Jegarajah on CNBC's Inside India to break down what the U.S.-Iran MOU means for energy markets, trade routes, and investors across the region. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire MOU is good news for the short term — oil prices ease, markets respond, and countries like India, South Korea, and Thailand get some relief. But the bigger question is what comes next. Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was once absolute; that certain

Trump rebuilds his tariff wall. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed. The US and China are at a stalemate. The markets continue to go up. Investors may be happy. But voters are not. Nor are the US’ trading partners. Republicans will pay the price at the voting booth. Long term, countries look to diversify away from both the US and China.

“People think AI is going to be like air, available for as long as they want and affordable enough for them to consume as much as they need," Steven Okun told Tim Burroughs as part of his deep dive on how private equity firms approach AI adoption. Many PE firms and their portfolio companies go all in on AI but with no budget, no risk plan, and no idea what happens if it gets expensive. What if AI costs 5x more in three years? Do you still hire that many fewer analysts? Becau

For decades, companies flocked to China for cheap manufacturing at scale and speed. Now, Western governments are pushing businesses to pull production and reduce their commitments. Beijing is hitting back with sweeping new rules that critics say could make it harder for foreign firms to diversify their supply chains. China says the measures are about protecting national and economic security - as it accuses the West of protectionism. The United States and Europe have been try

Private equity firms can no longer treat government as a regulatory afterthought Steven Okun and Derek Grossman Steven Okun is CEO of APAC Advisors, a geostrategic consultancy based in Singapore. Derek Grossman is a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California. Private equity and venture capital firms operating in Asia had one fewer significant constraint than counterparts in the U.S. -- they didn't need to worry about de

The eyes of the world have been fixed on Beijing this week, where what may be the most significant diplomatic recalibration of the decade is taking place. After all, it's the high-stakes summit between U.S. and China. As US President Donald Trump along with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping conclude their summit on 15 May, they have framed the U.S. – China bond as the most consequential in the world. Steven Okun speaks with Vietnam Today

Steven Okun's analysis after day one of the Trump-Xi summit for Al Jazeera The Trump-Xi summit seems to be a success in that it has stabilized the relationship for now. But all of the core issues between the two countries remain. China's unfair trade practices all remain in place, and the US continues to work to isolate it from critical technology. And we will likely see the US increase tariffs on China in July when the US raises tariffs on countries such as Malaysia, Thailan

Steve Okun, chief executive of APAC Advisors (Singapore), predicted the Trump administration would soon raise tariffs on China, potentially to 35 percent or more. Mr. Trump, he said, “will need to be careful not to commit to taking 301 off the table at the coming summit.” Why? As the US prepares to raise tariffs on much of the world through ARTs or Section 301 tariffs for forced labor or industrial capacity, China must be included. For example, Vietnam's tariffs will soon be

Tariffs are relative. Will Trump lower China’s tariffs to close to those planned for SE Asia when either the Agreements on Reciprocal Trade or the Section 301 tariffs kick-in, either by July 24 when 122 expires? The lower the differential on tariffs between China and countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, the more likely companies which left China will return, reversing in part China +1.

Authorities are investigating a prime suspect after a shooting at the White House correspondent's dinner in Washington DC. It's the latest in a series of violent episodes in US politics. Mr Steven Okun, CEO of APAC Advisors, shared more about the apparent attempt on US President Donald Trump's life and the typical security arrangements at such presidential events.

Companies need to stress-test their plans to ensure business continuity in a disrupted world where access to Artificial Intelligence could be scarce or expensive. By Steven Okun, Megan Willis, Noemie Viterale Businesses are placing massive bets on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the assumption the investment will surely pay off. Their leaders’ decision making conflates AI with clean air – always available, in whatever quantity and quality their business needs. Businesses and

Whether the ceasefire holds or not, firms should not assume business as usual Steven R Okun Published Wed, Apr 8, 2026 · 02:19 PM US PRESIDENT Donald Trump did not follow through on his threat to end a whole civilisation in Iran. Markets went up as a result. This does not mean long-term geopolitical risk and realignment will no longer occur. Trump remains President. While he sits in the Oval Office and the Iranian Republican Guard Corps rules in Teheran, fuel prices higher th

With its shift towards green energy in recent years, China remains in good stead to weather the crisis that is gripping the world as the war in the Middle East continues. Steven Okun, CEO of APAC Advisors tells Asia News Week's Yvonne Yong why China is "basically doing better than anyone else in the region."

In this episode of Global Insight, we examine the forces shaping our world. Escalating violence in the Middle East has pushed oil prices to a four-year high and shaken global markets, forcing governments to scramble for ways to stabilize supplies. Steven Okun spoke with Vietnam Today, stating that the war ends when Iran stops fighting, not when Trump declares victory. Trump declaring victory does not mean the war with Iran will be over. That will only occur when Iran stops fi

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we were pleased to host a timely and thought-provoking webinar exploring a critical question for today’s workforce: will artificial intelligence help propel women forward—or risk setting them back? Titled “The New Gender Divide: How AI Could Propel Women Forward – or Set Them Back,” the session brought together insightful perspectives from across APAC Advisors, featuring Senior Advisor for Responsible Investment Megan Willis, along

AI will mostly benefit those already well positioned to leverage it – men. Businesses and governments cannot afford to overlook gender as they invest in talent policies for the AI age. As Singapore celebrates early productivity gains from artificial intelligence, there’s a conversation about trade-offs that should also be taking place: who benefits, who falls behind, and what new divides may form. Without that discussion, women will bear the brunt of the costs of AI’s adoptio

As tensions escalate between Iran, Israel and the United States, the implications stretch far beyond the Middle East. Energy markets, global trade routes and geopolitical alignments are all being tested — and Asia will feel the impact. In this special live episode, Manisha Tank is joined by: Steve Okun – CEO APAC Advisors, a specialist in US–Asia relations Sam Olsen – Geopolitical analyst focusing on global power dynamics Together they discuss: • What has happened in the l

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

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 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

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

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

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.

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