Chat Lounge

From eggs to Hollywood and global trust to monetary stability, America's tariff war against the rest of the world is dearly backfiring on its own people and economy. What are Americans losing due to the U.S. tariff war? US officials have indicated tariffs on China could drop substantially. But how reliable is such a statement, and can it reverse the damage already done? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University in the United States, Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology in Australia, and Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China to decode the price of protection at the Chat Lounge.

Three countries, one tour, and a clear message from Beijing- President Xi Jinping touched down in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia this week, marking one of his most strategic Southeast Asian tours in years. What's behind the charm offensive? While the U.S. is fueling global confusion and frustration with its tariff war, China and its Southeast Asian partners are trying to inject cooperation and stability into global growth. What does the whirlwind visit mean for China, Southeast Asia, and the world? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Zha Daojiong, Professor of International Political Economy, School of International Studies, Peking University, Dr. Digby James Wren, External Relations Advisor, Royal Academy of Cambodia and Chair, Belt and Road Capital Partners, and Dr. Dylan Loh, Assistant Professor, Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme, Nanyang Technological University to decode the tour at the Chat Lounge.

History doesn't just echo, it warns. As Washington ramps up tariffs and the world braces for economic whiplash, are we watching a 21st-century rerun of Hoover's Great Depression playbook? From China's counterstrikes to cracks in America's economy, we unpack whether this trade war is strategy or self-sabotage and how it may accelerate the formation of a "post-American" global trade order. Host Tu Yun joins Professor Josef Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations, East China Normal University, Professor Hans-peter Burghof, Chair of the Banking and Finance Department, University of Hohenheim, and Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow, Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China to check for answers to these and more at the Chat Lounge.

Shanghai has become a pioneering city in China to introduce standards regulating smoking in outdoor public spaces. Could this be the start of a nationwide shift? China aims to cut adult smoking from 24% to 20% by 2030, but with cigarette sales still climbing, how challenging is that goal? Can this policy truly make an impact, or will deep-rooted smoking culture stand in the way? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Xiongfei Pan, a Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health at the West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Dr. Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics, and Dr. Lauren Johnston, an associate professor of the China Studies Centre, University of Sydney, Australia to check for answers to these and more at the Chat Lounge.

The U.S. is attempting to revive its shipyards—not with innovation, but with tariffs. A hefty 1.5-million-US-dollar fee on China-made bulk ships could shake global shipping. Will it backfire on the U.S.? Can America rebuild its industry? Will business pressure sink the plan before it sets sail? Host Tu Yun joins Dr Jane Haider, a Reader in Transport, Logistics and Operations Management at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, Dr. Zhou Mi, the Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Dr. George Tzogopoulos, a Senior Research Fellow of the European Institute, CIFE to check out all these and more on this week's Chat Lounge.

China's economic growth is outperforming expectations. But questions remain: when will the property slump end? Can consumer confidence keep rising? And how much will US tariffs bite? Host Tu Yun joins William Lee, the Chief Economist with the U.S.-based Milken Institute, Dr Li Wei, a Senior Lecturer at the Business School of University of Sydney, and Dr. Li Lun, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Peking University to check out all these and more on this week's Chat Lounge.

Once upon a time, fat people were believed to be more blessed. Now, they are urged to watch their weight. On this week's Chat Lounge, host Tu Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, an associate professor of the China Studies Centre, University of Sydney, Australia, Dr. Julie Ju Shi, an associate professor of health economics at the School of Economics and the School of Global Health Development, Peking University, and Dr. Xiongfei Pan, Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University to check out China's ongoing national campaign to promote public awareness and skills in weight management as the nation deals with its unbearable heaviness of being overweight.

Private firms drive China's economy. They represent 90% of all enterprises, 60% of GDP, and over 80% of urban jobs. But with global supply chains in turmoil, how can they keep growing and thriving? Host Tu Yun and co-host Professor Qu Qiang from Minzu University of China join Michael Woo Kim-kong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Chairman of the Woo Leung Lee Group, for ways to further unleash private sector dynamism in China.

Join expert insights from Li Lun, Assistant Professor at Peking University; Lance Witten, Editor-in-Chief at IOL; and S.L. Kanthan, geopolitical analyst from India. They dissect China's economic strategies for 2025 amid global challenges, including U.S. tariffs, and the growing ice and snow economy. The discussion also highlights the importance of revitalizing China's private sector through legal reforms, while addressing the need for new global narratives that empower the Global South against prevailing Western-centric perspectives.

Gold prices are soaring, hitting new highs more than 10 times this year! How unusual is this? What's driving the surge in addition to US President Donald Trump's tariff plan? How long might this trend last? What ripple effects will it have on the global economy and on our daily lives? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Hans-peter Burghof, a professor and Chair of the Banking and Finance Department, University of Hohenheim, Dr. Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics, and Dr. John Gong, a professor of economics at the University of International Business and Economics for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.