Tariffs

What is the worst acceptable outcome for Trump and Xi?

Ahead of their high-stakes Washington summit, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping face a tenuous truce: while tactical deals on trade procurement and AI safety offer temporary fixes, core rifts over Taiwan, tech dominance and rare earths remain fundamentally unresolved. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei speaks to academics to find out.

Sim Tze Wei

23 Sep 2026

How both sides can claim a win at Trump-Xi summit

The Trump-Xi summit slated for this week is set for a strong start as senior trade officials from both sides wrap up their meeting on a positive note. Lianhe Zaobao China news correspondent Edwin Ong finds out more.

Edwin Ong

22 Sep 2026

Trump-Xi summit: What should Southeast Asia be watching?

The upcoming Trump-Xi summit will not settle any “grand bargain”, but what happens to the year-long US-China trade truce will have implications for Southeast Asia, notes ISEAS researcher Stephen Olson.

Stephen Olson

22 Sep 2026

Trump-Xi summit: What can the US and China actually agree on?

US and Chinese officials meet in New York to tackle a range of issues, including trade and AI, laying the groundwork for concrete deliverables for the expected Trump-Xi summit in Washington DC. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Liu tells us more.

Liu Liu

21 Sep 2026

[Big read] Will Canada’s tit-for-tat bet against the US pay off?

Canada is taking the defensive against US tariffs with tit-for-tat moves. Lianhe Zaobao associate foreign editor Poh Hwee Hoon speaks with academics to find out if the middle power can come out of this trade war in one piece.

Poh Hwee Hoon

21 Sep 2026

BRICS must implement what it proposes

As long as BRICS cannot find a way to set implementation rules for its proposals, it can only target low-hanging fruit such as collaboration in health and food security, says ISAS academic Amitendu Palit.

Amitendu Palit

17 Sep 2026

Small wins in an ‘infinite game’: The limits of Xi-Trump talks

Xi and Trump may meet again, but a breakthrough looks elusive. Taiwan, AI and tariffs expose deepening divides, leaving the two powers to manage tensions rather than resolve their rivalry. Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu examines the issue.

Yang Danxu

16 Sep 2026

[Big read] Is Singapore the ultimate ‘China+1’ biopharma hub?

China’s biotech industry is becoming a formidable force in drug R&D and manufacturing. For Singapore, its rise brings new competition — but also an opportunity to strengthen its role as a trusted China+1 hub for global pharma. Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Lewis Ong Yong Huat speaks with industry players and government officials to find out more.

Lewis Ong Yong Huat

09 Sep 2026

ThinkCartoon (9 September 2026)

Heng Kim Song has been the freelance editorial cartoonist for Lianhe Zaobao since 1984. His cartoons are also featured in many major international publications including The New York Times, Asahi Shimbun, JoongAng Ilbo, South China Morning Post and Yazhou Zhoukan. His many awards include the Top Award in United Nations ESCAP’s Cartoon Competition and the Grafica Internazionale Award presented by Italian Museum of Political Satire and Caricature. Heng has also participated in many international exhibitions and events, including the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings held in Davos, Switzerland.

Heng Kim Song

09 Sep 2026

How Guangzhou and Shenzhen weathered Trump’s tariff storm

Guangzhou and Shenzhen, manufacturing and technology engines of Guangdong province, were hard-hit by Trump 2.0 tariffs, but they managed to bounce back or even hold steady with resilience under pressure. Economics professor Jiang Kun gives her analysis in ThinkChina’s Eye on Guangdong series.

Jiang Kun

26 Aug 2026

America’s 250-year strategy meets China’s rise

For 250 years, US grand strategy has been built on preventing any rival from dominating Europe or Asia. China’s rise has ended America’s uncontested primacy in East Asia, forcing Washington to rethink how it can preserve its security and influence. US academic Robert S. Ross gives his assessment.

Robert S. Ross

08 Jul 2026

Has China hit the limits of chip self-reliance?

China is producing more chips than ever, but because its exports remain cheap compared to high-end imports, Beijing still depends heavily on foreign semiconductor technology. Economist Min-Hua Chiang shares her findings.

Min-Hua Chiang

16 Jun 2026