Economy

Prior to winning November's presidential election in Honduras, Xiomara Castro of the leftist Liberty and Refoundation Party said if victorious, she would open diplomatic ties with China. But her team has since backtracked on that stance.
15 January 2022
Wellheads painted in Ecuador's national colors at an oil rig of state oil company Petroamazonas.
Trade

Ecuador applies for CPTPP membership to diversify trade

South American nation seeks to reduce reliance on oil

29 December 2021
Chile's President-elect Gabriel Boric delivers a speech on Dec. 19 to supporters in Santiago, Chile, after his victory.
Politics

Chile's CPTPP membership in limbo with leftist win

Millennial Boric scores presidency by tapping into frustrations over inequality

21 December 2021
Workers arrange blades at an assembly line in Rayong province, east of Bangkok, in April 2016: many of the necessary ingredients for productivity-led development are missing across much of  Southeast Asia.
Opinion

Southeast Asia risks stumbling toward a South American future

Current trajectory suggests region will struggle to escape middle-income trap

28 November 2021
A screen displays leaders of the BRICS nations, clockwise from top left, Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Cyril Ramaphosa and Jair Bolsonaro attending the 13th BRICS summit via video link on Sept. 9: strongmen tend to be weak where it matters most.
Opinion

Why the BRICs nations have not turned the world upside down

Grouping was never ready for today's crop of leaders

24 November 2021
Mining equipment at the Cananea copper mine in Mexico. Copper is high on the list of Mexican exports to China.
Trade

'No special treatment' for China's CPTPP bid: Mexican trade official

Undersecretary de la Mora says Beijing's application will face necessary screening

24 November 2021
Bruno Serra, monetary policy director at Brazil's central bank, says rates could be raised more than 150 basis points in December if conditions warrant. (Photo courtesy of Banco Central do Brasil)
Interview

Brazil's central bank eyes bigger rate hike to step up tightening

December increase will exceed 1.5 points if 'necessary,' monetary policy director says

8 November 2021
Marta Lucia Ramirez, Colombia's vice president and foreign minister, spoke with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on Nov. 7. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Interview

Colombia invites Japan to be full member of Pacific Alliance

Vice president sees growing interest around Asia in trade pacts with Latin America

7 November 2021
Women stand in front of a currency exchange office in Istanbul. The Turkish lira depreciated by 8% since the end of August.
Currencies

From Turkey to South Korea, strong dollar squeezes the energy-poor

Higher U.S. interest rates drive investors to greenback

14 October 2021
BlackRock is leading a public-private 55 billion yen ($500 million) fund aimed at developing infrastructure for the transportation of green energy in emerging markets. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Climate Change

BlackRock to launch green infrastructure fund in Asia

The public-private partnership also eyes projects in Africa and Latin America

5 July 2021
Empty chairs on a beach in Phuket, pictured in March 2020: an inability to vaccinate its populations means the country will be less appealing as a tourist destination.
Opinion

The looming complications of long COVID

Start-and-stop recovery will have economic, political and social consequences

16 February 2021
"For many businesses forced to close their doors during lockdowns, Facebook and Instagram have been a lifeline," writes Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Opinion

How an open internet can power Asia-Pacific's economic recovery

Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of the digital future

19 November 2020
A worker performs a quality check on Sinovac Biotech's experimental coronavirus vaccine.
International relations

China injects vaccine diplomacy into Latin America

Beijing expands influence amid region's limited drugmaking capabilities

27 October 2020
Chickens at a poultry factory in Brazil. The country's farm ministry says it is following strict standards to ensure public health.
Coronavirus

China places stricter rules on chicken imports, Brazil cries foul

Beijing fears coronavirus infection from frozen foods, but WHO says worry is unfounded

15 August 2020
Eight candidates are running to fill the top job at the World Trade Organization.
Interview

Good listener or strong negotiator? WTO candidates make case for top job

Nigeria's Okonjo-Iweala and Mexico's Seade have different prescriptions for US-China rift

13 July 2020
Brazil has eased restrictions aimed at curbing the coronavirus despite an upswing in new cases.
Coronavirus

Emerging world becomes virus epicenter with 80% of new cases

Outbreaks gain steam in Latin America and Middle East as economies reopen

12 June 2020
A Chinese flag placed on a street in Belgrade, Serbia, pictured on Apr. 13: countries which are reliant on China are being required to thank Beijing for the medical supplies.
Opinion

Winning compensation from China for coronavirus is a long shot

Legal claims stand no chance, but there are other kinds of punishment

22 May 2020
Demand for bitcoin is surging in emerging markets as the value of their own currencies continue to decline.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin shines in emerging markets plagued by falling currencies

From Bueno Aires to Beirut, investors embrace cryptocurrency as safe haven

15 May 2020
A drilling site in the Eagle Ford Shale area in Texas: shale producers are slashing spending and production targets.
Opinion

OPEC's efforts to mop up global oil oversupply are good for Asia

Industry's growth is crucial for long-term energy security

17 April 2020
The Philippines' ratio of women in senior management positions stood at 43%, versus just 12% in Japan.
Economy

Women in management: Southeast Asia improves but Singapore slips

Philippines' ratio of female execs tops region as Japan lags behind at 12%

7 March 2020
Lower rates in developing countries have pushed investor capital to the U.S.  
Coronavirus

Coronavirus shock weighs on global bond yields

Emerging-market rate cuts drive flight to safety in Treasurys

24 February 2020
Tourists in Bangkok: Thailand's central bank cut its policy interest rate on Feb. 5 amid a steep drop in foreign travelers caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus

Emerging markets cut interest rates to blunt coronavirus damage

Thailand and Brazil opt for record lows as tourism and resources take hit

7 February 2020
Chan Chun Sing, Singapore's minister for trade and industry, center, holds the signed joint statement for the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement with counterparts from New Zealand and Chile.
International relations

Singapore and TPP trailblazers now turn to digital rule-setting

Partners seek to draw global standards for AI, fintech and personal data

22 January 2020
Even after the suspension of APEC Leaders' Week in Chile, can-do attitude of participants remains.
Opinion

APEC shows virtues of multilateralism despite Chile cancellation

New host Malaysia will aid efforts to push forward free trade pacts

9 December 2019
China has been importing fewer soybeans as African swine fever devastates its pig population.
Trade

Brazil soy exports suffer blow from China's pork blackout

Falling demand for animal feed wipes out trade-war bonus

4 December 2019