US Politics & Its Global Impact

As the American century fades, the Asian renaissance begins. Kishore Mahbubani sat down with our CEO Steven Okun for a fireside chat at the US-ASEAN Business Council's Strategic Business Forum. ASEAN isn't westernizing it's modernizing, on its own terms, shaped for centuries by deep cultural ties to the two giants on its borders, India and China. An image for how the region moves is like a crab: sideways, sometimes backwards, sometimes forwards - never in a straight line, bu

Forget the usual swing voters. The “precariat” is the new voting base shaping the midterms. They're those living with chronic insecurity - unstable work, unpredictable income and few of the safety nets once taken for granted. As part of Steven Okun’s Geopolitical Series at The Nanson, we explored what could shape the midterms and US-China relations, in discussion with Deborah Elms, Damien Ma and Sonal Varma. This insecurity cuts across the US political and economic landscape.

At the The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham Singapore)'s Regional Economic Conference, our CEO Steven Okun and Manager Noemie Viterale led Workshop 3: The Imperative for Business to Adapt to Changing Geopolitics. The session covered how public affairs is changing for U.S.-headquartered companies and those doing business with the U.S., where new opportunities are emerging, and why companies need to play the long game. A recurring thread throughout: resilience

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.

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

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

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.

Steve, Taimur Baig, Ethan Wu, and Deborah Elms return for the latest in the geopolitical series I host for The Nanson. While the US and China continue a period of no further escaltion in their trade war, Trump moves forward on tariffs for the rest of Asia. China has neither overplayed its hand nor shot itself in the foot, sitting stronger today more because of US actions than its own foresight, but still with all the challenegs the region has with them. Forecasting the econom

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.

Sharon Simmons didn't come to the Oval Office to talk geopolitics. She came to talk tips. And when pressed on transgender rights, on whether she voted for Trump, she did something most communications professionals struggle to do under pressure: she stayed on message. "I'm here about no tax on tips." That story opened APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun's fireside chat with the Asia-Pacific Association of Communication Directors (APACD) — a network of Corporate Affairs and Communica

As the conflict in Iran continues to evolve, so do its implications for global trade. APAC Advisors hosted the fourth in its War with Iran webinar series, bringing together three leading voices to assess where things stand — and what businesses should be preparing for. The tariff roadmap Barbara Weisel, Former Assistant USTR and Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, laid out the tariff landscape with precision. The key date to watch is July 24th, when the

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

At the KangaNews Debt Capital Market Summit 2026, Steven Okun delivered a keynote highlighting how a new geopolitical era is set to drive higher global energy costs. He emphasized that regardless of how or when the war with Iran ends, governments will increasingly prioritise energy security and resilience—an approach that will come with significant financial implications. Okun underscored that businesses and investors must recognise and respond to this “gray rhino” risk. In t

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."

A Middle East war. A Beijing visit. A midterm election. Three things that have no business happening at the same time - and yet, here we are! Steven Okun was at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore yesterday working through all of it - Iran's ripple effects, where China fits into an increasingly crowded US foreign policy agenda, and the electoral pressures shaping every move Washington makes right now. The big question hanging over the room: is Trump'

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 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

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

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

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

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

Steven Okun moderated Trump 2.0: The Great Disruption Year at The Nanson - featuring Deborah Elms, Taimur Baig and Ethan Wu, From “T.O.T.U.S" (Trade Outside the U.S.) to what one speaker called “a great moment of incoherence,” the conversation dove straight into how Trump 2.0 has turned global trade into something deeply personal. The U.S. isn’t running on policy so much as personality - decisions made on instinct, not institutions. China, meanwhile, is rewriting its own rule

Trump 2.0 Beyond Borders – What It Means for Fiji and the Region AmCham Fiji hosted a hybrid event with former U.S. government official and geopolitical analyst Steven Okun of APAC Advisors (Singapore) and Head of External Affairs for the American Association of the Indo-Pacific . He joined us for an engaging in-person briefing in Nadi. The session, “Trump 2.0 Beyond Borders: Geopolitical Risks and Opportunities for Businesses and Investors,” explored how shifting U.S.–C

At the Moores Rowland APAC and International Practice Group ’s 2025 Conference, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun spoke about how geopolitics is no longer a backdrop to business, it’s the main event. Every trade deal today is a test of leverage. The U.S. is negotiating one-on-one, not through alliances - and every country is learning how to play in a world where market access depends on power, not predictability. Across the region, investors are spreading their bets. Pan-As

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

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

Steven joined Leila de Lima, Adrian Ang and Nicole Curato on a panel about political comebacks at the Asian Conference for Political Communication 2025 (#ACPC 25), organised by Konrad‑Adenauer‑Stiftung’s Media Programme Asia. He discussed how Donald Trump, drawing from Richard Nixon’s model of fear-driven politics, has fuelled his comeback and consolidated power. His engine isn’t ideas - it’s fear: first over his party, then the media, business and education sectors. The real

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...

Navigating Tariffs and Trade Wars: Impact & Market Opportunities in Asia At the Bloomberg Investment Management Summit in Singapore,...

A President of Peace - Just Not the Kind You Expect. At The Nanson , our CEO Steven Okun moderated a fireside chat with Kishore...