US President Joe Biden departed from the G20 Summit in India on Sunday to reach Vietnam to deepen cooperation with the Southeast Asian country amid China’s growing ambitions in the contested South China Sea – considered a key passageway for global trade. Biden’s discussions with the leader of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, will encompass a “comprehensive strategic …

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has signed an executive order to restrict U.S.-based investments in People’s Republic of China. The move will prohibit high-tech U.S.-based investments in some sensitive technologies in China. The restriction is reportedly imposed on computer chips, quantum information technologies, micro electronics, and artificial intelligence.  On Wednesday, Biden signed the order. He directed the …

US: President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave each other a fist bump to try to heal their strained relationship, the US leader left the country on Saturday (July 16) with little tangible evidence that the trip had been worthwhile. His first journey to the Middle East as president, President Biden’s four-day visit to Israel and …

US: Asked about his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, US President Joe Biden said he wants to “strengthen our strategic cooperation,” but also reiterated his commitment to “basic American principles.” “Many people think I made a mistake by going to Saudi Arabia. Fundamental freedoms are always on my agenda when I travel, as they will be on this trip. My …

US: As he announced new steps to safeguard reproductive liberties, US President Joe Biden stated on Friday (July 8) that federal legislation was the most expedient path to restoring abortion rights. He called the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate the constitutional right to an abortion “awful, excessive,” and said that the most effective response would be to elect MPs to …

WASHINGTON: The White House said on Tuesday (Jul 5) that President Joe Biden’s team is still considering whether to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports in an effort to reduce inflation. As of late Tuesday, the US Trade Representative’s office had received more than 400 petitions to maintain tariffs in place on Chinese imports. This complicates Biden’s decision-making. A group of …

Asean – The White House announced on Thursday that K-pop idols BTS would visit the White House next week to discuss hate crimes against Asians and people of Asian descent with US President Joe Biden. On Tuesday, Biden will host the worldwide musical sensation and will “explore Asian inclusion and representation, as well as anti-Asian hate crimes and prejudice, which …

South Korea – As worry about a North Korean nuclear test rises, US President Joe Biden landed in South Korea on May 20 for his first Asia tour as US leader, with the goal of strengthening relations with regional security partners. Biden wants the visit to draw on recent actions that have accelerated the US‘s years-long pivot to Asia, where …

Malaysia – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today encouraged the US to pursue a more aggressive trade and investment strategy with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), claiming that doing so would benefit Washington both economically and diplomatically. Ismail Sabri expressed some of the displeasure felt in Asia after former President Donald Trump exited a regional …

ASEAN – According to the host country, US President Joe Biden will meet with leaders of Southeast Asian countries in mid-May, with a probable focus on China’s expanding strength. The meeting, which was previously set for March, “will show the United States‘ continuing commitment to Asean,” according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “Serving as a strong, trusted partner …