U.S. President Donald Trump's planned tariffs on steel and aluminium risk retaliation from other economies and could cost jobs, Australia's trade minister said on Friday, while China predicted harm to trade if other countries follow the example of the United States. Fears of an escalating trade war roiled Asian markets, hitting the share prices of steelmakers and manufacturers supplying U.S. markets particularly hard. U.S. stock futures pointed to a steady start on Friday after a sharp fall following Trump's Thursday announcement. Trump said the duties of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum would be formally announced next week, although White House officials later said some details still needed to be ironed out. "The imposition of a tariff like this will do nothing other than distort trade and ultimately, we believe, will lead to a loss of jobs," Australian trade minister Steven Ciobo told reporters in Sydney. "My concern remains that on the back of actions like this we … [Read more...] about Asia Fears Trade War After Trump Plans Hefty Steel, Aluminium Tariffs
Asia
Azizulhasni catat rekod baharu Asia di Nilai
NILAI 19 Feb. - Jaguh berbasikal trek negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang mencipta rekod baharu Asia dalam acara pecut elit lelaki setelah mencatat kepantasan 9.774 saat sewaktu pusingan kelayakan pada Kejohanan Berbasikal Trek Asia (ACC) 2018 di sini, hari ini. Catatan yang membolehkan beliau mengungguli senarai pelumba pada pusingan kelayakan yang berlangsung di Velodrom Nasional, Nilai itu memadam rekod 9.843s yang dilakukan pelumba Jepun, Nitta Yudai di pentas kejohanan yang sama tahun lepas. Pada masa sama, catatan itu turut memadamkan rekod kebangsaan 10.074s miliknya yang dirakam pada edisi 2016 ACC di Jepun. Pelumba yang diberi jolokan The Pocket Rocketman itu berkata, pada awalnya misi utama adalah membuat catatan masa di bawah 10s dan langsung tidak menjangka mampu merekodkan kepantasan sehingga 9.774s memandangkan 9.8s adalah sasaran masa terpantas realisitik yang mampu dicapai. “Fokus utama saya hari ini adalah untuk cuba lakukan catatan terbaik di bawah 10s dan ketika … [Read more...] about Azizulhasni catat rekod baharu Asia di Nilai
Dictator of the Year: East Asia’s Communist Leaders Have Much in Common
It is not surprising that North Korea's Kim Jong Un and China's Xi Jinping were both shortlisted by Time to be "Person of the Year" in December. Dear Leader Kim and Core Leader Xi — as the Communist Party's constitution now refers to the Chinese supremo, are comrades in more than name. Both are surrounded by flourishing personality cults — although Kim’s is far more elaborate, after three generations of Kim dynastic rule — and both run nuclear-armed, dictatorial regimes known for widespread human rights abuses. Both have an extensive system of labor re-education camps, where dissidents of all types are locked away. Both demand absolute loyalty from their subjects. Xi, for example, has purged some 250,000 Party and government officials over the last few years to cement his rule, using the pretext of corruption charges. It is not for nothing that President Trump has called him the "King of China." Xi is just a taller but not leaner, older, and probably even … [Read more...] about Dictator of the Year: East Asia’s Communist Leaders Have Much in Common
European captain Thomas Bjorn takes confidence for the Ryder Cup from victory over Asia
Thomas Bjorn told his Europe players they can go into the Ryder Cup “with their heads up high” after a rousing final-day fightback avoided a shock EurAsia Cup defeat. Bjorn – the Dane who will captain the blue and gold brigade as they try to beat America in Paris in September and so win back the trophy – watched his team overcome a one-point deficit to Asia going into the Sunday singles at the Glenmarie Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur. Needing at least seven points from the 12 matches, Europe passed the requisite number with seven wins in the first eight singles. Belgium’s Thomas Pieters ensured Europe would retain the trophy courtesy of his one-hole victory over the Korean, Byeong Hun An, with the away side eventually easing out to prevail 14-10, having “won” the final session 8½-3½. “Last night, there was a determination and a will to win this,” Bjorn said. “From there, to then go out and do the job the way they did … [Read more...] about European captain Thomas Bjorn takes confidence for the Ryder Cup from victory over Asia
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott discusses initiatives in Asia
The Pac-12’s approach to Asia and Pacific Rim is one of the most controversial facets of commissioner Larry Scott’s tenure. It’s probably the least understood, as well — at least in a what-in-the-world-are-they-doing-over-there sense. It was the first topic I covered with Scott when we sat down to discuss the conference’s hot-button issues. Many of my questions (across various topics) were based on feedback from fans and campus officials. But Asia … Asia confounds me, too. ** Why spend the money and resources on a pursuit that will provide no near-term financial windfall? ** What is the end-game? ** Is the push primarily driven by a desire to attract full-tuition international students? ** How much, exactly, is the league spending annually on Asia? ** And what, if any, role does Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, play in all of this? Here are the result of the conversation, separated into sections to help with clarity: (Disclaimer: As with all … [Read more...] about Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott discusses initiatives in Asia