Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
May 14, 2025
With U.S. encouragement, Northeast Asia has seen unprecedented cooperation between Japan and South Korea in recent years. But rising economic frictions, domestic political changes in Japan and especially South Korea, and evolving U.S. global priorities could impede or even reverse recent gains.
Brian Wong, Assistant Professor in Philosophy and Fellow at Centre on Contemporary China and the World, HKU and Rhodes Scholar
May 14, 2025
Following months of political turmoil, South Korea's upcoming presidential election could lead to a shift in the country's approach to the U.S.-China rivalry, with candidates' stances influencing South Korea's policies on defense, trade, and diplomatic relations with both powers. While Lee Jae-myung may seek closer ties with China, potentially boosting trade and cultural exchanges, his rival is expected to strengthen South Korea's alignment with the U.S., especially on security and technology-related matters.
Wang Youming, Senior Research Fellow of BRICS Economic Think Tank, Tsinghua University
May 14, 2025
Amid the rise of unilateralism and bullying by the United States, the forum’s international role in fighting protectionism and promoting a multipolar world is becoming increasingly prominent, especially for the Global South.
Ted Galen Carpenter, Senior Fellow, Randolph Bourne Institute
May 09, 2025
The U.S.-dominated international system is unraveling as major powers and Global South countries reject American pressure and assert their independence. Without a shift toward cooperation and respect for multipolarity, the U.S. risks becoming the target of a hostile global realignment rather than leading a stable new order.
Li Yan, Director of President's Office, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations
May 09, 2025
The extreme radicalism of the U.S. president’s thinking, coupled with the chaotic nature of his policies and their implementation, has significantly accelerated fragmentation and may even precipitate the collapse of the global governance structure.
Jade Wong, Senior Fellow, Gordon & Leon Institute
May 08, 2025
Arbitrary policies introduced by the U.S. president have accelerated a shift of the international order and introduced new dynamics to relations between major powers. Most countries are reluctant to follow Trump’s lead because they have little to gain by doing so. Several are quietly thinking about ways to turn his disruptions into opportunity.
Zhang Gaosheng, Researcher at Department of World Peace and Security, China Institute of International Studies
May 07, 2025
Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has attempted to reduce the U.S. focus on Europe in order to shift resources to the Indo-Pacific. But geopolitical rivalry can neither resolve America’s own problems nor the challenges facing the world.
Han Liqun, Researcher, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations
May 02, 2025
The Trump administration will continue to sway as it seeks new equilibrium amid stress-relieving turbulence. Historical patterns can be seen, but so can evolving realities. No one knows if America will find another escape route.
Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa, Geopolitics Analyst in EU-Asia Relations and AsiaGlobal Fellow, The University of Hong Kong
Apr 30, 2025
Step by step, Europe has flubbed their chances to remain relevant since China’s rise, and now it may be too late for the EU to regain its clout in the global order. Is the dream of a multipolar world coming to a premature end?
Brian Wong, Assistant Professor in Philosophy and Fellow at Centre on Contemporary China and the World, HKU and Rhodes Scholar
Apr 28, 2025
Speculation about a "Grand Bargain" between Trump and Xi persists, but deep divisions within Washington, Trump’s erratic leadership, and Beijing’s long-term strategic patience make a major breakthrough unlikely. Even if a meeting occurs, structural mistrust and political instability on both sides suggest any deal would be fragile at best.