Economy

Bitcoin has seen a stunning price surge over the past two months. But the cryptocurrency is also notoriously volatile.
Finance

Bitcoin soars to record prices on ample liquidity

Cryptocurrency finds new favor among institutional investors

18 December 2020
The Thai baht has enjoyed a strong rally recently, prompting the government to try to curb its rise.
Economy

Thai baht soars to 11-month high as US probes currency practices

Central bank defends policy as exports and tourism key to recovery from COVID

17 December 2020
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Dec. 2.
Trade

Trump administration lands parting shot on Vietnam over currency

Biden treasury pick Janet Yellen likely to lead less combative approach

17 December 2020
China has gotten ahead of the game by containing the disease through technology and authoritarian rule.
The World Ahead

Tech gaps and a pushy China pose challenges for the world

Pandemic has made clear need for urgent changes over next five years

16 December 2020
A joint Nikkei, Financial Times and Nikkei Asia survey of global readers found that Asians and the young have high hopes for technical innovation in the environmental and financial sectors. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images) 
The World Ahead

Survey: Asians and the young have high hopes for tech innovation

Nikkei, the FT and Nikkei Asia ask 5,000 global readers to peer into the future

16 December 2020
Facebook's profits flow from its capacity to generate highly specific and disaggregated audiences for advertising.
Opinion

Antitrust case reveals the dangers of Facebook's business model

At stake is the right to engage online without being watched, tracked or managed

15 December 2020
Katherine Tai, U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's pick for U.S. trade representative, speaks after Biden announced her nomination at a news conference at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Dec. 11.
Biden's Asia policy

China's unfair practices a 'key priority' for trade chief Tai: Biden

President-elect highlights her track record on enforcing rules against Beijing

12 December 2020
Katherine Tai sees the need for U.S. trade policy to work in tandem with its own domestic industrial strategy to push back against China. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kyodo and AP)
Biden's Asia policy

Biden taps Mandarin-speaking Katherine Tai to helm China trade

Seasoned Capitol Hill staffer will be frontwoman if US negotiates return to TPP

11 December 2020
Beijing's central business district: China is poised to become a high-income country by 2023 and exceed the U.S. GDP later this decade.
Economy

China to overtake US economy by 2028-29 in COVID's wake: JCER

Forecasts chart next 15 years for India, Vietnam and other key economies

10 December 2020
The good news for Taipei is that soon it might have a true U.S. ally when Joe Biden assumes the presidency.
Opinion

How Biden can use Taiwan to rattle China

At long last Taipei has real chance of joining the TPP

10 December 2020
China's new export control law will strengthen the country's control over the flow of goods, technology and services including military products, nuclear materials and items with dual uses in the civil and defense sectors.
Economy

China's export control law to become 'key dynamic' in US relations

New measures bring Beijing's economic sanctions power on par with Washington's

1 December 2020
Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials attended a virtual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Nov. 20, at which Xi said he would consider joining the TPP.
Comment

China expands its economic 'gravitational force' amid US retreat

Push for free trade and global yuan offer peek into a Beijing-led future

30 November 2020
A virtual meeting of leaders from 15 RCEP member countries, pictured in Hanoi on Nov. 15: the impetus came from ASEAN. (Photo by Tomoya Onishi)
Opinion

ASEAN must counter Chinese attempts to own RCEP trade agreement

Multilateral trade agreement will shore up the group's Asia centrality

27 November 2020
India's Red Fort prepares for Independence Day celebrations. The country is considering legislation to strengthen control over data collected within its borders.
Century of Data

Asian countries build data fortresses to protect new national assets

Limits on cross-border flows hurt business and risk leaving countries poorer

26 November 2020
Suga and Morrison should tell Beijing thanks but no thanks.
Opinion

China should not be allowed anywhere near the TPP

The only way Beijing enters Pacific trade deal is by watering it down to mediocrity

26 November 2020
Chinese President Xi Jinping rises from his chair at Beijing's Great Hall of the People in October.
International relations

China moves to fill US power vacuum with Asia trade deals

Three-way FTA with Japan and South Korea likely next, analysts say

24 November 2020
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, pictured on Sept. 23: the FOMC made two important decisions in interpreting the Fed's dual mandates.
Opinion

Low global interest rates are here to stay

The Fed's new monetary policy strategy has profound implications

23 November 2020
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java, Indonesia on Oct. 29.
Economy

US to invest $2bn in Indonesia sovereign wealth fund

DFC's pledge shows Washington's commitment to combating Beijing's influence

23 November 2020
Rupert Murdoch's position is all about accumulating and exercising political power.
Opinion

Why I'm taking on Rupert Murdoch

Media campaign to deny climate change is harmful

22 November 2020
The only question is how far Trump goes.
Opinion

Lame-duck Trump is about to take Asia for a wild ride

Stage set for the messiest political exit in modern history

19 November 2020
"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
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, speaks about economic recovery at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware, on Nov. 16.
Trade

Biden says US needs to align with democracies after RCEP signing

China shouldn't be 'the only game in town,' president-elect argues

17 November 2020
President-elect Joe Biden has said he would work to renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership but has not clearly signaled whether he will return the U.S. to the agreement.
US elections 2020

Eyes on Biden's TPP move as China joins mega trade deal RCEP

Early US return seen unlikely as Democrats prioritize 'American competitivenss'

16 November 2020
Guards stand outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Economy

China's state control of economy grows with 50 backdoor takeovers

Scrapping of Ant IPO comes amid squeeze on private sector this year

14 November 2020
TikTok is seeking court relief from President Donald Trump's order to sell its U.S. operations.
US-China tensions

TikTok has 2 more weeks to unload US operations, regulators say

Pressure mounts on video app as it now faces Nov. 27 deadline to complete deal with Oracle

14 November 2020