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Print Media
Steve contributes regularly to Channel News Asia, The Straits Times and other outlets.
Read Steve's latest articles for Channel News Asia.


Eco-Business: How data centres can avoid becoming the next coal mines
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


Commentary: Fatal ICE shooting exposes how badly fractured America has become
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


Second-term Trump: Constrained at home, unchecked abroad
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


CNA Commentary: US ambassador's comments show how America First will play out for Singapore
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


Eco-Business: Responsible investment’s AI trilemma – emissions, job losses and inequality
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 ‘Sleeper Issue’ at the Heart of Trump’s Trade War on China
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


Trump Opens Trip With Trade Deals in Southeast Asia
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


Think China: Trump’s Asia comeback: Peacemaker, power broker — or performer?
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


Lianhe Zaobao: Trump Imposes 100% Tariffs in Response to China's Rare Earth Restrictions; Experts Warn both have overplayed their cards
Steven Okun, CEO of public affairs consulting firm APAC Advisors, acknowledged the importance of a meeting between the U.S. and Chinese...


SCMP: Are US-China relations headed for the rocks again after Trump’s latest tariff threat?
Trump threatens to cancel Xi Jinping summit in wake of rare earth curbs that one analyst says had left US president ‘furious and...


No time for complacency: 'Asia for Asia' will take time: Governments, companies and investors should anticipate and strategize responses proactively
Steven Okun is CEO of APAC Advisors, a geostrategic consultancy headquartered in Singapore who served in the Clinton administration....


Commentary: Trump’s unprecedented power grab has repercussions abroad.
U.S. President Donald Trump has driven out of his party nearly everyone with the temerity to challenge him, write Steven R Okun and...


Commentary: Taking the good with the bad as Southeast Asia comes under US spotlight
Dr Anjani Sinha faltered at his confirmation hearing to become the US ambassador to Singapore, but he could still be a net positive to...


Trump’s assault on ESG is not killing it. It is forcing it to evolve
While the language of ESG is changing, its fundamental value for business is not. Some companies never used the term ESG publicly - even...


Asian companies take note: Trump is still focused on human rights abuses in your US supply chain
With Donald Trump in the White House, some Asian companies may believe they do not have to worry about forced labour in their operations...


Snap Insight: Why Trump blinked on tariffs, after days of market carnage
President Donald Trump paused his steep tariffs due to the bond market, but more market turmoil may come, says US politics expert Steven...


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


The China Gap Between US Strategic and Business Leaders
Tighter curbs on business with China loom as corporate leaders are warned that they cannot be bystanders in broader geopolitical rivalry.


Harris Should Look Back to Gore for Her Roadmap
VP Kamala Harris’ struggles could complicate her ability to lead the Democratic Party in a future election, be it in 2024 or later.


US-ASEAN Summit an Opportunity for Biden on China Strategy
This week’s summit comes amid supply shocks, leadership transitions, and war.


Trump’s 2024 Presidential Run Launches Republican Civil War with Global Impact
With Trump potentially on the 2024 ballot, US partners will watch to see how many commitments they should make.


While Governments Take a Covid-induced Time Out from Sustainability, Businesses Should Not
In this new era of corporate sustainability, no issue unites stakeholders as urgently as climate change does.


ESG Collides Between Business & Government
Investors too often ignore the 'E' v 'S' trade off. Businesses which only take the 'E' into account in their ESG strategies will bump heads.


The Digital Solution to America's Trade Comeback
A swift return by the US to multilateral trade deals like the TPP is unlikely, but a sectoral approach in new growth areas is promising.


Trump's Final Grab for Power & America's New Hope
Thurgood Marshall Jr. & Steve Okun on Republicans refusal to overturn election results offers a chance to loosen Trumps grip on the party.


Why a Virtual Party Convention is Good for Biden
Steve Okun & Thurgood Marshall Jr believe a virtual convention benefits Biden.


Coronavirus Crisis is Double-Edged Sword for Trump
The pandemic may hurt Trump's re-election chances, but it also gives him a starring role on the national stage & sidelines Biden.


Singapore, US & The Challenge of Income Inequality
DPM Heng's bridge-building speech highlights proactive approach to a problem that is one of the core isues of US presidential election.


Engaging the Trump administration: A US business perspective
by Steve Okun, The Straits Times What is the US under the Trump administration doing to advance its own interests in Southeast Asia and...


Multi-Cultural Mission
Being an effective corporate diplomat involves recognising the distinct cultural practices in local markets.
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