S2E17: Trump's blistering start - why the rush and its impact on Asia

Jan 23, 2025

28:56

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Making sense of the blitz of executive orders, announcements and rhetoric from the new US President - and what Asia should take away.

Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief based in the United States to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

In this episode, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Lin Suling and US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar discuss the big announcements, power moves and ambiguous comments from the 47th US President - pulling the brake on the TikTok ban, the threat of tariffs and the outlook for trading partners among other pressing issues.

Which will be policy and which are simply rhetorical opening positions? How soon could Asian countries be caught in the cross-hairs?

And what’s behind Donald Trump's pronouncement of wanting to visit China in his first 100 days?

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:50 What the moves say about Mr Trump’s communication style and policymaking preferences

5:00 Is there disagreement within the Trump administration?

8:30 What does Trump want from Asia?

11:23 The Marco Rubio factor in US foreign policy

15:20 What’s behind Trump’s desire to visit China in the first 100 days?

16:30 On TikTok: Will Trump make a deal with China?

18:30 What the change in US policy on TikTok says about its view of China

23:28 What’s behind Trump’s blistering start - why the hurry?

Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo