Dash not for a Trade Deal

Published on 06 May 2025

In our new edition of KSInsights, Dr Wong Chin Yoong tackles Trump’s latest tariff actions. He argues that they are driven more by domestic political motives tied to the MAGA agenda than by economic or national security strategy.

Unlike the 2018 trade war, this round targets allies as well, creating distrust and pushing them closer to China. Dr Wong explores what the tariffs serve in the long run and what that means for trade negotiation.