Showing 1 - 10 of 163
Our tariff-era dollar, your problem
Oped, Qiyuan Xu, Published on 04/02/2026
» In 2025, the dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of major currencies, fell by roughly 9.4%. Over the same period, the United States' average effective tariff rate rose by around 14.4 percentage points, from 2.4% to 16.8%, according to the Yale Budget Lab. Taken together, these shifts imply that, in the import trade domain, the US experienced an effective exchange-rate depreciation of around 24%.
Five energy market trends for 2026
Oped, Ron Bousso, Published on 01/01/2026
» Energy markets enter 2026 in a downbeat mood as geopolitical uncertainty clouds the outlook and increasing signs of swelling oil and gas supplies threaten to sink prices.
Phasing out coal makes economic sense
Oped, Rapeepat Ingkasit, Published on 24/12/2025
» Thailand's recent update to its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) was met with polite applause from diplomatic circles and global communities. By finally aligning the national net-zero target with the mid-century goals of our neighbours, the kingdom appears to be getting back on track.
Trade conflicts destroy the planet
Oped, Qiyuan Xu, Published on 12/12/2025
» Tariff wars are often justified as necessary to protect or reshore manufacturing jobs and to improve national security. But, according to new research, these conflicts produce another outcome that is largely overlooked: pollution. When global supply chains are forced into inefficient detours, carbon dioxide emissions rise.
Digesting Trump's trip through Asia
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 07/11/2025
» Storming through Asia last week, US President Donald Trump's first stop in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26, before moving on to Japan and South Korea over the next four days, capped by his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning to Washington, was the most consequential for Southeast Asian economies.
Defusing a battery waste time bomb
Oped, Nattaphorn Buayam & Pitnaree Polsomboon, Published on 22/10/2025
» A mountain of dead batteries is piling up. If Thailand does nothing, these seemingly innocuous yet toxic batteries will become a national crisis. Properly managed, they can fuel a new economic future.
Tariffs top closures
Oped, Postbag, Published on 08/10/2025
» Re: "Making Cambodia pay for border row", (Opinion, Oct 2). As a seasoned economist, Chartchai Parasuk makes a valid point by suggesting that Thailand open its borders with Cambodia. After all, the closed borders are only hurting this nation, economically speaking.
Plot twist in Asia's energy story
Oped, Lidy Nacpil, Published on 18/09/2025
» Asia's energy story is one of persistent energy poverty, while communities grapple with the health, climate, and economic impacts of fossil fuels. The rise of renewables may prove to be a transformative plot twist in the making. Asia's shift to renewable energy is already underway, and progressing faster than many realise. From rooftop solar panels in suburban Pakistan, to vast offshore wind farms along China's coast, to utility-scale projects electrifying farms in Bangladesh, renewable energy is showing potential to redefine energy security across Asia.
Why cattle matter in the Thai economy
Oped, Khanitha Pakinamhang, Published on 10/09/2025
» The milk in your morning coffee. The beef in your favourite menu. Both come from small Thai farms now struggling to survive.
Limits of Xi, Putin's 'no-limits' alliance
Oped, Ruby Osman & Dan Sleat, Published on 05/09/2025
» Much has changed since Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin last stood together atop Tiananmen Square in 2015. When they did so again this week, it was supposedly as equal partners. But, of course, the reality is far more complex.