33 y. ago The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 12

The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 12  Newspapers.com

Politics

3 h. ago East Asia faces fresh US tariffs, China rare earth curbs: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Apparently impatient Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea US President Donald Trump, apparently impatient with the slow progress of negotiations, on Monday slapped 25 per cent unilateral tariffs on Japan and South Korea and equal or higher import taxes on several other nations ahead of a self-imposed Wednesday deadline. 2. Rare earth dominance: why...

Politics

3 h. ago Do Singapore’s insurers and private hospitals need a rethink as costs surge?

A major insurer in Singapore has suspended pre-treatment approval for policyholders seeking treatment in two private hospitals due to high costs, in a case that has prompted scrutiny of the city state’s reputable healthcare industry. Great Eastern’s move has spurred industry experts to call for calibrated adjustments to the healthcare insurance system involving the key stakeholders instead of an overhaul, and greater data transparency to help policyholders make informed decisions as expenses...

Economics

4 h. ago ‘Treated like servants’: Taiwan on edge as US tariff deadline passes

Anxiety is running high in Taiwan as the island nervously awaits the outcome of its tariff negotiations with the United States, amid growing concern it could be hit with duties of 25 per cent or higher – well above the 10 per cent rate Taipei had hoped for. The worry stems from US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff regime, announced in April, which gave trade partners 90 days to negotiate new terms or face tariffs mirroring those imposed on US exports. With the grace period now over,...

Events

4 h. ago China’s new nationalistic diplomacy wins over Southeast Asia

China’s new nationalistic diplomacy wins over Southeast Asia  East Asia Forum

Politics

5 h. ago China says it will retaliate on unfavorable deals after Trump warns Asia of higher tariffs

China says it will retaliate on unfavorable deals after Trump warns Asia of higher tariffs  NBC News

Events

5 h. ago Hong Kong’s insurance market may balloon 55% as Greater Bay Area ages

Hong Kong’s insurance business may expand by a compounded 55 per cent over the next eight years, driven by the so-called silver economy serving senior citizens and growth in the Greater Bay Area, industry experts said on Tuesday. Gross insurance premium in the city may jump to US$127 billion by 2032 from last year’s US$82 billion, said Steve Finch, Manulife Financial’s Asia president, citing industry forecasts. That growth is enabled by the “depth and sophistication of Hong Kong’s insurance...

Politics

6 h. ago More uncertainty ahead for Asia as Trump shifts goalposts on tariffs again

Asia could face a prolonged period of trade uncertainty after US President Donald Trump extended the deadline for imposing higher import tariffs to August 1. Trump told trade partners on Monday that the new deadline was final, though he might grant further extensions if countries submitted acceptable proposals. He also confirmed plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Japan and South Korea in letters posted on his social media platform, warning: “If for any reason you decide to...

Politics

6 h. ago Need a grandma? In Japan, you can rent one and help an old lady out

“Grandma rental” services have caught on in Japan, providing an alternative source of income for the country’s ageing population seeking to alleviate the cost of living pressures amid rising inflation. For 3,000 yen (US$20) per hour, clients are set up with a woman aged 60 to 94 who will help with requests ranging from teaching cooking skills to breaking up with partners on her client’s behalf, according to local news site SoraNews24. The elderly women can also babysit and mediate family...

Politics

7 h. ago As Delhi scraps vehicle ban plan, what next for clean air in India’s capital?

India’s capital has put the brakes on a contentious vehicle scrappage policy aimed at curbing deadly air pollution after fierce resistance from residents, highlighting the city’s struggle to balance environmental urgency with economic realities and the need to find alternative solutions. The rule, which took effect on July 1 in New Delhi but is now suspended, barred refuelling and permitted impounding of private petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10. Officials had...

Politics

8 h. ago How China, Japan and South Korea can be titans of tech innovation

Just ahead of the July 9 deadline to reach an agreement on tariffs, US President Donald Trump announced his decision on the tariffs levels for 14 countries – including a rate of 25 per cent on Japan and South Korea – effective August 1. Trump accused Japan of not buying enough rice and cars from the US. It’s worth noting that the American car industry is simply not competitive in Japan. Germany, Japan and China are the top three auto exporters. Those countries, along with South Korea, have...

Politics

8 h. ago Why East Asian integration could be the solution to US tariff threats

Just ahead of the July 9 deadline to reach an agreement on tariffs, US President Donald Trump announced his decision on the tariffs levels for 14 countries – including a rate of 25 per cent on Japan and South Korea – effective August 1. Trump accused Japan of not buying enough rice and cars from the US. It’s worth noting that the American car industry is simply not competitive in Japan. Germany, Japan and China are the top three auto exporters. Those countries, along with South Korea, have...

Events

9 h. ago Malaysia’s Rosmah wins US$23,600 damages over black magic claims by TikTokker

Former Malaysian first lady Rosmah Mansor has won 100,000 ringgit (US$23,600) in damages in a defamation case against a TikTokker who uploaded a video claiming that she had dabbled in black magic. The Kuala Lumpur High Court said on Tuesday that Rosmah had proven her claim against 35-year-old Ku Muhammad Hilmie Ku Din. “This global award comprises general and aggravated damages,” Justice Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh said during the damages assessment hearing, according to a report by local daily...

Events

10 h. ago ‘Truly regrettable’: Trump slaps 25% tariffs on South Korea and Japan. What now?

US President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of 25 per cent tariffs on imports from key trade partners including South Korea and Japan has been viewed less as a final blow and more as a high-stakes bargaining tactic. The move highlights Trump’s preference for brinkmanship-style deal-making and leaves room for diplomacy, as Seoul races to craft its response ahead of the new August 1 deadline, according to analysts. South Korea’s presidential office convened an emergency meeting of cabinet...

Politics

10 h. ago Bean there, done that? Starbucks’ Korean border outlet proves a smash hit

A Starbucks branch perched at the edge of one of the world’s most heavily militarised borders has brewed up a remarkable success, drawing more than 120,000 customers in just seven months thanks in part to its singular offering: sweeping views into North Korea. This outpost of the American coffee giant is not in any ordinary location. It sits atop the observatory at Aegibong Peace Ecological Park, a former military base transformed into an eco-sanctuary in Gimpo, South Korea. Here, visitors can...

Events

11 h. ago Malaysia seeks urgent trade talks with US after 25% tariff blow

Malaysia will press ahead with talks towards a “comprehensive” trade agreement with the United States, its trade ministry has said, as Kuala Lumpur races to soften the blow of a newly imposed 25 per cent tariff on its exports unveiled by US President Donald Trump. On Monday, Trump revealed he had sent letters to leaders of 14 countries announcing tariffs ranging from 25 to 40 per cent, in an apparent gambit to accelerate trade negotiations. The new 25 per cent tariff on Malaysian goods is one...

Politics

11 h. ago Yanran Chen: Beijing’s young visionary bridging tradition and futurism

Yanran Chen: Beijing’s young visionary bridging tradition and futurism  Harper's Bazaar Australia

Politics

12 h. ago Eric Trump to headline Bitcoin Asia 2025 conference in Hong Kong

Eric Trump, the second-born son of US President Donald Trump, will attend next month’s Bitcoin Asia 2025 conference in Hong Kong as a headline speaker, as the city strives to position itself as a leading hub for digital assets, competing with the US. Trump would discuss bitcoin’s “long-term potential” and its impact on global finance, as well as “how Asia is shaping the future of bitcoin adoption,” said BTC Inc, the conference organiser, on Tuesday. Bitcoin Asia, the regional edition of the...

Politics

12 h. ago Thai PM’s suspension reignites debate, Malaysia’s new tax: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Malaysia’s new ‘luxury’ taxes hit the middle class where it hurts 2. PM’s suspension reignites debate on ‘judicial activism’ of Thailand’s courts 3. Philippines’ Duterte ends womanising era, leaving ‘13 to 27’ lovers behind 4. Chinese ambassador’s ‘grandstanding’...

Economics

12 h. ago Australia gets ‘unsolicited advice’; Indonesian mine concern: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Malaysia’s new ‘luxury’ taxes hit the middle class where it hurts 2. PM’s suspension reignites debate on ‘judicial activism’ of Thailand’s courts 3. Philippines’ Duterte ends womanising era, leaving ‘13 to 27’ lovers behind 4. Chinese ambassador’s ‘grandstanding’...

Politics