South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, meets with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Economy

South Korea to help UAE become nuclear exporter

Partnership deepens in first overseas market for Korean-built reactors

27 March 2018
South Korea is one of the world's largest steel exporters.
International relations

US and South Korea reach revised free-trade deal

Washington benefits on auto exports while Seoul avoids heavy steel tariff

26 March 2018
Japan did not escape U.S. steel tariffs despite the personal chemistry between Trump and Abe.
Economy

Trump's tariff snub clouds US relations with Japan

The days of Tokyo taking advantage of Washington are over, says president

24 March 2018
A steel mill in Dalian, China
Trade war

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs take effect

China and Japan hit while South Korea, EU and Canada exempted

23 March 2018
Beijing has urged Washington to "pull back from the brink" of pitting the two countries against each other in a trade war.
Trade war

China unveils retaliatory measures against Trump's tariff threats

Asian markets slide on trade tensions between Washington and Beijing

23 March 2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in: The Blue House argues that most citizens support its proposed constitutional changes.
Politics

South Korea's Moon calls for two-term presidency

Conservative opponents decry 'red-constitution' plan

22 March 2018
A Samsung Electronics plant in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam.
International relations

South Korea's Moon visits Vietnam to deepen economic ties

Seoul eyes exports to ASEAN amid US protectionism and Chinese boycotts

22 March 2018
Robert Lighthizer, U.S. trade representative, testifies on trade policy before the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington on March 21.
International relations

US seeks bilateral FTA with Japan

Trade rep suggests Washington wants to start talks after Tokyo finalizes TPP

22 March 2018
A worker checks a wafer chip in the clean room at the UTAC plant in Singapore.
Economy

Global trade surpasses economic growth for first time in 6 years

Semiconductors drove the expansion, but falling smartphone sales and protectionism raise concerns

17 March 2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, is seeking detente with the regime of North Korea's Kim Jong Un. © Moon photo by Reuters, Kim photo by KCNA/Reuters
North Korea Crisis

South Korea quietly weighs economic cooperation with North

Sanctions stand in the way of potentially lucrative energy opportunities

15 March 2018
The rules hammered in the TPP-11 free trade agreement signed on March 8 are at risk of not keeping pace with fast-moving developments in worlds of technology and business.
Comment

Pacific trade rules on digital data may already be outdated

TPP-11 principles to contain China could be counterproductive

15 March 2018
The rules hammered in the TPP-11 free trade agreement signed on March 8 are at risk of not keeping pace with fast-moving developments in worlds of technology and business.
Economy

The 'TPP 11' is signed, and ready to welcome more members

Despite America's withdrawal, the trade deal is set to reshape how business is done all over the Pacific

15 March 2018
People take pictures of themselves in front of the Sydney Opera House.
Economy

Australia's immigration debate flares up over property prices

Some fear the country's population boom could mean an end to an established way of life

15 March 2018
Trump pointed to output of Chinese-made steel in his remarks on the decline of America's steel industry.
Economy

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs stir worries, and some hope

Beijing condemns move while Tokyo and Seoul seek exemptions

15 March 2018
South Korean finance minister Kim Dong-yeon speaks at press briefing in Sejong on March 13. (Photo courtesy of Finance Ministry of South Korea)
Economy

Seoul to decide on new TPP membership by June

UK, Thailand mull joining Japan-led economic bloc as US protectionism widens

13 March 2018
The Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta: Emerging Asian markets suffered a net outflow of funds in February. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Asia Insight

Asian central banks face white-knuckle steering as Fed tightens

Fund outflows and Chinese debt pose major monetary policy challenges

13 March 2018
LNG storage tanks at a Sinopec terminal in Tianjin, China: The Chinese government has been promoting a shift from coal to natural gas, pushing up demand.
China People's Congress 2018

Asia's lively LNG spot market spurs rush to derivatives

China's import surge highlights the need for price hedging

12 March 2018
The cashier-less shop operated by E-Mart24 in Seoul (Photo by Sotaro Suzuki)
Comment

Minimum wage rise in South Korea prompts automated response

President Moon's 'worker-friendly' policy is pushing clerks out the door

11 March 2018
The rules hammered in the TPP-11 free trade agreement signed on March 8 are at risk of not keeping pace with fast-moving developments in worlds of technology and business.
International relations

'TPP 11' emerges as bulwark against American protectionism

Japan and Mexico press to put trade deal into effect this year as others look to join

10 March 2018
Illustration by Michael Tsang
North Korea Crisis

Five things to know about Trump-Kim summit

What are the prospects for a historic encounter between the leaders?

9 March 2018
Trump pointed to output of Chinese-made steel in his remarks on the decline of America's steel industry.
International relations

Beijing condemns US tariffs as Tokyo and Seoul seek exemptions

Philippines expects benefit to infrastructure drive from steel price fall

9 March 2018
Steel pipes await shipment at a port in Lianyungang, in China's Jiangsu Province. (Getty Images)
International relations

Trump steel tariffs prompt Thailand to fortify dumping defenses

Local producers fear global players will redirect 10m tons their way

8 March 2018
A woman shows her finger after voting in national elections in the Philippines. The Southeast Asian nation ranks above the global average in women in parliament.
Politics

Once a world leader, Asia now trails in women lawmakers

Philippines, Laos and China among best in terms of females in parliament

8 March 2018
The impact of the decision will not be limited to GM's 16,000-strong workforce in South Korea, but will also affect their families, as well as subcontractors.
Economy

GM's restructuring plans are a timely warning for South Korea

Seoul must address structural problems to keep industry and the economy on track

8 March 2018
Asia's big economies are likely to keep growing strongly in 2018, but slowing chip exports and higher interest rates are risks.
Economy

Asian export rebound is boosting better growth, at least for now

Higher interest rates and weaker smartphone demand are risks for China and the ASEAN4, says JCER

8 March 2018