Dr Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation, also said Trump has been disregarding international rules, such as his efforts to impose tariffs on all imports.
Nevertheless, she said Asia has “tremendous potential” for economic growth.
“Despite all of the difficulties that we have in Asia with changes in governments … there is still more growth taking place in Asia than anywhere else,” added Dr Elms.
BREAKOUT ACTIVITIES
There is optimism that major events already on the 2025 calendar – including the World Aquatics Championships and Taiwanese rock band Mayday’s two-night concert – could continue to jolt international visitor arrivals and tourism spending.
Event operator Unearthed Productions says that aside from the events themselves, businesses benefit significantly from breakout activities that happen on the sidelines.
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, for instance, is one such extravaganza that allows for countless businesses to organise smaller activities to happen concurrently, said founder and chief experience officer Adam Piperdy.
He noted that such massive MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) happenings, especially those that happen repeatedly such as F1, “really allow everybody to play a part, to rally around the event and create micro events around it”.
