Politics

21 May 2025
Tesla CEO Elon Musk greets U.S. President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on March 22.  He spent at least $250 million supporting Trump in the presidential campaign.
Clockwise from top left, Mira Rapp-Hooper, Zack Cooper, Meghan O'Sullivan and Thea Rozman Kendler, are expected to play key roles for the U.S,-Japan alliance. (Nikkei montage: source photos from The Asia Group, AEI, the Belfer Center and Ken Moriyasu) 
Indo-Pacific

Who will replace Armitage and Nye as custodians of US-Japan alliance?

Next-gen leaders carry forward the legacy of the two giants

21 May 2025
The yen touched the lower 144 range against the dollar on May 20, strengthening by 3 yen from a week earlier.  (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Dollar slides as upcoming US-Japan talks revive currency speculation

Yen long positions against greenback near record high before finance ministers meeting

21 May 2025
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's minister for economic and fiscal policy, speaks with reporters on May 20 in Tokyo. (Photo by Chihiro Uchiyama)
Trump tariffs

Japan's tariff negotiator to visit US for 3rd time on Friday

Tokyo has not changed its stance for Washington to end all tariffs, Akazawa says

21 May 2025
Saab makes a presentation for its T-7 advanced trainer aircraft at the Singapore Airshow in 2020. The Swedish company is urging Japan to adopt the T-7.
Interview

Japan should think about 'more partners' beyond US: Saab CEO

Swedish defense manufacturer stresses importance of regionalized supply chains

21 May 2025
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, applauds as member countries approve an agreement to combat future pandemics at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva on May 20.
International relations

WHO adopts pandemic deal that takes lessons from COVID

Treaty countries that share virus samples to receive tests, medicines and vaccine

20 May 2025
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee meets with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Qatar on May 11. Three days later, the Emir hosted U.S. President Donald Trump. (Hong Kong Government website) 
International relations

Hong Kong woos Gulf states as Trump launches charm offensive in the region

City aligns with China's push for influence, sidesteps human rights concerns

20 May 2025
This Fincantieri-made frigate will soon be headed to Indonesia but is now docked at Muggiano naval shipyard. (Fincantieri)
Defense

EU arms makers seek Southeast Asian partners amid China-US rivalry

Region's move to buy subs, jets jibes with Europe's plans to expand hubs, build up armies

20 May 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands during a meeting at the Group of 20 leaders summit in Osaka during 2019.
Ukraine war

Trump says Russia and Ukraine to start immediate talks on ceasefire

US president apparently didn't secure major concessions from Putin during 2-hour call

20 May 2025
Cranes at the Port of Los Angeles. China dominates production of ship-to-shore cranes.
Trump administration

USTR duties on Chinese cranes would devastate US ports, industry says

Trump administration faces domestic resistance to efforts to lure back shipbuilders

20 May 2025
Funds tied to prominent investors like Warren Buffett, David Tepper and George Soros have made major moves since the start of the year. (Source photos by Reuters)
Markets

Soros, other US investors lock in profits on China's DeepSeek tech boom

AI developer's rise created opening to sell ahead of Trump tariffs

20 May 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has long talked up what he sees as the wonders of tariffs -- not just in winning negotiations and raising revenue, but also in leveling playing fields. 
Opinion

The 'Trumpcession' is starting to hurt allies more than China

Japan and South Korea's economies shrank in Q1, even before tariffs kicked in

19 May 2025
China's economy grew 4.9% in the first quarter, below the government's target of 5%.
Economy

Global economy slows as inflation saps consumer spending

Trump tariffs cast pall over future, prompting households to save in Q1

19 May 2025
Former U.S. President Joe Biden makes his first major speech since leaving office, at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled conference in Chicago on April 15.
Politics

Former US President Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer

His physical health and mental acuity drew scrutiny in 2024 presidential race

19 May 2025
China's strategy to wait for the U.S. to seek out tariff talks draws on a theory of waiting out the enemy developed by Mao Zedong.
Trump tariffs

China's rare-earth gambit with Trump echoes Mao's 'protracted war'

Global Times commentator hails tariff deal as 'huge victory' for Beijing

18 May 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would speak with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO members after his phone with Vladimir Putin. 
Ukraine war

Trump says he will speak with Putin and Zelenskyy on Monday

Phone call with Russian leader to cover Ukraine war, trade, US president says

18 May 2025
Nvidia is warning that U.S. export controls are giving Huawei a free hand in the Chinese AI chip market. 
Technology

Nvidia to ship new AI chip for China next quarter, modified Blackwell later

Company says US restrictions 'shield' Huawei from competition in key market

17 May 2025
Turkey was one of the few countries that openly sided with Pakistan during the country's heightened four-day conflict with India.
International relations

Turkey bolsters ties with Pakistan during and after India conflict

Ankara-Islamabad relations rooted in supply of drones and other arms

17 May 2025
An electronic sign and a poster display at a bus shelter in Washington show the U.S. national debt at $36 trillion in December.
Finance

US loses last major 'AAA' credit rating with Moody's downgrade

Agency cites rising debt and growing interest costs

17 May 2025
A man walks near a container ship at a port in Tokyo.
Trump tariffs

Japan warms to lower US tariffs after pushing for full elimination

Trade deals with China and the UK prompt a change of heart in Tokyo

17 May 2025
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chairs a meeting between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Istanbul on May 16. (Turkish Foreign Ministry/handout via Reuters)
Ukraine war

Russia: Ukraine talks yield prisoner swap deal, plan for more dialogue

Negotiations would resume after each side outlines vision for ceasefire

17 May 2025
Huawei's HarmonyOS is the company's answer to efforts by Washington to restrict the flow of high-end tech into China.
Huawei crackdown

Block Huawei's HarmonyOS together with US allies, lawmakers urge

House committee alleges operating system opens path to Chinese spying

16 May 2025
Cranes at the Port of Los Angeles have no ships to unload on May 13, after tariffs imposed on Chinese imports by the Trump administration brought bilateral trade to a virtual standstill.
Trump tariffs

Top US port operator sees no repeat of COVID-era's 'huge ramp-ups'

Port of Los Angeles maintains current outlook amid lingering uncertainties

16 May 2025
China's President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the opening ceremony for the China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting in Beijing on May 13.
Opinion

China is not shy about taking on the US in Latin America

American hegemony in its 'backyard' may be entering its final years

16 May 2025
Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. Holding company HD Hyundai says it is ready to cooperate in rebuilding the U.S. shipbuilding industry. 
Trump tariffs

US trade chief meets South Korea's shipbuilders for possible cooperation

Greer talks with Hyundai, Hanwha execs during APEC ministers gathering

16 May 2025
An artist's impression of Phnom Penh's Techo Takhmao International Airport, the first phase of which is scheduled to open on July 10. (Screenshot from Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation's website)
International relations

US assesses financial support for construction of Cambodia airport

Move comes despite bilateral tariff and aid funding tensions

16 May 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, shakes hands with Turkey's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, in Ankara on May 15. 
Ukraine war

Russia-Ukraine talks at 'logjam,' Trump-Putin meeting needed: Rubio

Top US diplomat says expectations low for breakthrough at talks in Turkey

16 May 2025
Japanese Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ryosei Akazawa is expected to visit the U.S. soon for further tariff negotiations. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Trump tariffs

Japan prepares for more US tariff talks after G7 meeting next week

Corn and soybean imports, shipbuilding among bargaining chips on table for 3rd round

16 May 2025
The mine detection system will be launched from unmanned boats produced by Singapore's ST Engineering. (Thales © Eloi Stichelbaut | PolaRyse)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

France's Thales to supply AI mine detection system to Singapore Navy

Defense giant plans to tap Asian demand with new research center in country

15 May 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters aboard Air Force One en-route to the UAE.
Trump tariffs

Trump expresses disaffection with Apple's India investment plans

US president says New Delhi has offered a 'no tariff' trade deal

15 May 2025