Asia has been identified correctly as the most vulnerable region to both the Iran War and Trump 2.0 tariffs. Overall, recent financial market performance has reflected these risks (next Chart). Indeed, equities in most Asian countries have lagged global and US indices, and most regional currencies have weakened. Perhaps surprisingly, however, Japan has been an … Continue reading Japan: Resilient, But For How Long?
Category: Asia
Asia: Hormuz — Energy Security & Transition
In an earlier blog "Iran: Assessing the Economic Fallout", I identified Asia as the most vulnerable region to the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequently, financial markets have reflected these risks. Indeed, countries from Pakistan to the Philippines have taken recent measures to cope with the economic fallout. Now, … Continue reading Asia: Hormuz — Energy Security & Transition
India: Unlocking Its Full Potential
20 February 2026 As long ago as my 2019 blog "India: Long Growth Runway Ahead", I outlined why India's economy and financial markets would outperform China in the coming decade. And, indeed, India has enjoyed the strongest GDP growth amongst all major economies during the past 10 years (Chart below). As a result, India became … Continue reading India: Unlocking Its Full Potential
China: Beggar-thy-Neighbor Policy Creates Risks
30 January 2026 Even if one doesn't trust China's data, there's no doubt the economy has proved surprisingly resilient, despite the Trump 2.0 tariffs. And, the outcome of recent Sino-US trade negotiations indicate they enjoy considerable leverage in future talks, given America's current dependence on Chinese rare earth materials. As the Year of the Horse … Continue reading China: Beggar-thy-Neighbor Policy Creates Risks