Indonesia’s electric vehicle (EV) strategy relies on Local Content Requirements (TKDN) and fiscal incentives to attract investment, develop domestic manufacturing, and capitalize on its nickel resources.

On Oct 26, 2025, the U.S. and Thailand agreed on a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. Within this framework, in exchange for a reciprocal tariff reduction and further exemptions on some goods, Thailand will eliminate tariffs on almost all U.S. goods, increase purchases of animal feed, energy, and aircraft, and broaden market access for certified meat, poultry, vehicles, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.

Voting behavior in Thailand’s Northeast (Isan) during the 2023 general elections reflects a shifting and increasingly competitive political landscape in a region historically associated with pro-democracy movements.

Thailand is entering a volatile pre-election period marked by intensifying competition among the People’s Party (PP), Pheu Thai, and Bhumjaithai (BJT), with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and BJT currently holding the strongest advantage.

The prime minister’s decision to dissolve the House signals a bid for a stronger mandate, reflecting the constraints of minority rule and the political maneuvering around charter reform that may temporarily favor conservative forces.

Global growth is holding up better than expected, supported by front-loaded trade, strong AI-related investment, and generally easier financial conditions, yet momentum is set to soften as higher tariffs, persistent policy uncertainty, and easing labour markets gradually weigh on demand.

Thai–Cambodian border relations remain shaped by rigid, state-centric assumptions that frame borders as fixed, elite-controlled spaces—an approach that fuels recurring tensions, including the Preah Vihear dispute and the 2025 clashes.

Indonesia stands at a pivotal moment in the global AI race, where its tech-savvy population and rapidly rising adoption rates position the country to unlock major economic gains—potentially boosting GDP per capita growth by 14% and generating trillions of rupiah in efficiency savings.

ASEAN in 2025 is navigating a convergence of geopolitical rivalry, shifting trade dynamics, and accelerating energy transition, while integrating new members and responding to internal crises.