Economy

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
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
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Economy

Swiss bank Julius Baer enters Thailand's wealth management market

Venture with Siam Commercial Bank aims to expand investment options for clients

15 March 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and French President Emmanuel Macron at the inauguration of a solar power plant at Mirzapur in northern Uttar Pradesh state on March 12. (Photo courtesy of Press Information Bureau of India)
Economy

India and France lead efforts to boost solar power generation

Modi's government unveils 27 solar projects in 15 countries at cost of $1.4 billion

12 March 2018
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, left, and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko take part in a meeting in Brussels on March 10.
11 March 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement about a presidential proclamation placing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports at the White House on March 8.
International relations

Trump's trade gimmickry

Policies to restore global trade fairness aggravate rather than solve problems

10 March 2018
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Business deals

Julius Baer wades deeper into Asian wealth market with Thai venture

Swiss bank and partner Siam Commercial Bank target $30bn in managed assets in 5 years

9 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
People take pictures of themselves in front of the Sydney Opera House.
Economy

Australia weighs the costs of the coming population boom

'Lucky country' worries that high immigration will compromise its lifestyle

7 March 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will impose tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on imported aluminum during a meeting at the White House.
The Trump effect

US tariffs threaten to upend the free trade order

'Trade wars are good' Trump says as China and Europe prepare countermeasures

3 March 2018
British Prime Minister Theresa May (Getty Images)
International relations

UK vies for post-Brexit Asia trade as EU lines up FTAs

Indonesia set to be crucial battleground for negotiations

2 March 2018
A worker collects palm oil fruit at a palm oil factory in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur.
Economy

Migrant crackdowns hit ASEAN's labor flow

Moves by Malaysia and Thailand leave short-staffed companies facing higher costs

1 March 2018
Haruhiko Kuroda’s priorities as Japanese central bank chief will someday start to diverge from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s political needs. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Economy

Stephen Grenville: Kuroda may have to break with Abe, one day

The Bank of Japan governor must navigate the subtleties of central bank independence

1 March 2018
ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo on Feb. 22. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Interview

Emerging markets face credit challenges in tightening cycle, ESM head warns

Asian, Latin American and African economies are vulnerable, says Klaus Regling

23 February 2018
Coal is still the cheapest power source for most Southeast Asian nations, with power generation by coal expected to double by 2030. (Getty Images)
Interview

Asian coal demand to offset EU and US decline

Industry body chief predicts continued regional dominance

23 February 2018
U.S. trade group, the National Biodiesel Board, says biodiesel imports from Indonesia and Argentina surged by 464% from 2014 to 2016.
Economy

Indonesia joins China and South Korea on US trade hit list

Biodiesel duties follow measures against solar panels and washing machines

22 February 2018
Nobukazu Teranishi, on the right facing Prince Charles, is the first Japanese engineer to be awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. (Courtesy of QEPrize / Layton Thompson)
Economy

Japan should value its engineers more, says award-winning inventor

Ex-NEC researcher warns on country's declining prowess and global competitiveness

21 February 2018
A worker collects palm oil fruit at a palm oil factory in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur.
Politics

ASEAN labor flows hit a wall with growing migrant crackdown

Malaysia and Thailand left short-handed as foreigners leave en masse

18 February 2018
Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Dragasakis
Economy

Greece looks beyond China for Asian partners

Deputy PM says Athens has no interest in a 'unique' relationship with Beijing

15 February 2018
Honda has secured its largest-ever order of HondaJet aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Honda)
Economy

Honda wins order for 16 jets from air taxi operator Wijet

Japanese jet maker expands into Europe while eyeing growth in Asia

9 February 2018
Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Dragasakis
International relations

Greece looks beyond China for Asian partners

Deputy PM Dragasakis says no to a 'one-sided unique relation' with Beijing

8 February 2018
Japanese telecom giant SoftBank Group is reportedly in talks to acquire a one-third stake in Swiss Re for as much as $10 billion yen.
Japan-Update

SoftBank in talks with Swiss Re for minority stake

Deal could be worth $10bn but negotiations at 'very early stage'

8 February 2018
TSMC factory
Nikkei PMI

Asian manufacturers make strong start to 2018

Pick-up in global trade has boosted activity, Nikkei PMI survey shows

7 February 2018
Palm oil fruits at a plantation in Topoyo village in Mamuju, Indonesia.
6 February 2018
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International relations

Battle for data rages between China and US

Both sides are seeking more control over today's hottest resource

4 February 2018