Barackface: singapore

Showing posts with label singapore. Show all posts

Monday, June 30, 2025

30: Singapore PM Lawrence Wong

Musk will ‘do everything to damage’ Trump and is building political influence to rival MAGA, mogul’s former friend reveals

Trump sends handwritten letter to Powell demanding ultra-low interest rates
'Should be investigated': Leavitt says Trump could revoke mayoral candidate's citizenship

Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

I agree. I agreed a month ago. Let's go!
The Tesla Of Political Parties https://t.co/NpochJijnS
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) June 30, 2025

I am heartbroken by the news from Colorado where Karen Diamond, a victim of the vicious attack earlier this month, has passed away.

May Karen’s memory be a blessing and a reminder that we must constantly work to eradicate hatred and violence. https://t.co/zDHK5bBJqe
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 30, 2025

🎯🎯🎯
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) June 30, 2025

https://t.co/ZiMOtZ1ZIa pic.twitter.com/fTvZSKEffe
— Ways and Means Democrats (@WaysMeansCmte) June 30, 2025

Trump folds in his absurd lawsuit against Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register https://t.co/u15aiEXR2p
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) June 30, 2025

Former Fetterman aide https://t.co/4EJHbPDAfD
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) June 30, 2025

Under Trump and Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Bill,” 17 MILLION people will lose their health care.

That’s your grandma with a walker, your niece who was born with a life-threatening condition, and your neighbor whose kid just broke his arm. pic.twitter.com/lJfikrljDz
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 30, 2025

"The IDF confirmed that in the most serious incident involving shelling of civilians, between 30 and 40 people were targeted—some killed, others wounded to varying degrees."

Those who said accusing the IDF of such acts is blood libel will now say these acts are legal and moral. https://t.co/w7oH3b7reT
— Adil Haque (@AdHaque110) June 30, 2025

Congrats. Do you want product ideas?
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) June 30, 2025

You and Mamdani should team up. He also has child care ideas.
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) June 30, 2025

Thursday, May 08, 2025

Fixing Education in America: Lessons from the Best School Systems Around the World

Fixing Education in America: Lessons from the Best School Systems Around the World

America is a global leader in innovation, higher education, and creativity—but when it comes to K–12 education, the United States lags behind. Despite spending more per student than most countries, U.S. students rank in the middle of the pack on international assessments like PISA (Program for International Student Assessment). The problems are systemic, but not unsolvable. Across the globe, countries with fewer resources are achieving more by doing things differently—and smarter.

So, how can the U.S. fix its education system? Here are key reforms America needs, inspired by some of the most effective education systems in the world:

1. Elevate the Teaching Profession — Like Finland

In Finland, teaching is as prestigious as medicine or law. All teachers hold a master’s degree, and only the top university graduates are accepted into teacher-training programs. Once in the classroom, they’re given professional autonomy, trust, and high pay.

What America Can Do:

Raise salaries to attract top talent.
Require more rigorous and consistent teacher training.
Treat teachers as nation-builders, not just public employees.
Eliminate over-reliance on standardized testing and give educators more autonomy in the classroom.

2. Make Education Equitable — Like Canada

Canada’s decentralized system achieves world-class results without extreme inequality. Public schools in wealthy and poor areas deliver similar outcomes because funding is more equitable, and support for immigrant and indigenous students is prioritized.

What America Can Do:

Reform school funding so that it doesn’t depend so heavily on local property taxes.
Invest more in underserved schools, not less.
Provide holistic support for low-income students—nutrition, counseling, and family outreach.

3. Reduce Testing, Focus on Learning — Like Finland and the Netherlands

Excessive standardized testing in the U.S. often narrows the curriculum and increases student anxiety. Countries like Finland and the Netherlands have shown that you can achieve better outcomes with fewer tests and more project-based, exploratory learning.

What America Can Do:

End the over-dependence on standardized tests to measure student and school success.
Replace teaching-to-the-test with deeper learning through collaborative projects, problem-solving, and creativity.
Encourage student agency and critical thinking, not rote memorization.

4. Invest Early — Like Japan and Singapore

Top-performing countries don’t wait until middle or high school to start academic rigor. They invest heavily in early childhood education, laying a strong foundation for later success. In Singapore, for instance, early years are seen as critical for building character, curiosity, and core skills.

What America Can Do:

Expand access to high-quality preschool for all children, regardless of income.
Prioritize social-emotional learning alongside early literacy and numeracy.
Support parents with education and child development resources starting at birth.

5. Modernize Curriculum for the 21st Century — Like Estonia

Estonia, a small Baltic country, has made major strides by embracing digital learning, coding, and entrepreneurship from a young age. Their curriculum prepares students for a changing world, not one that existed decades ago.

What America Can Do:

Introduce digital skills, financial literacy, climate science, and ethics into the curriculum.
Partner with the private sector to bring modern tools and mentorship into classrooms.
Emphasize adaptability, not just academic content—students need to learn how to learn.

6. Rethink College-Readiness and Vocational Tracks — Like Germany

In Germany, students can choose from multiple respected paths—academic or vocational—based on their interests and strengths. There’s no stigma around apprenticeships or technical education.

What America Can Do:

Expand vocational and career-technical education (CTE) options in high schools.
Partner with businesses and unions to provide apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
Value diverse post-secondary outcomes—college, trade schools, the arts, and entrepreneurship.

7. Cultivate Whole-Child Education — Like South Korea (But Less Stressful)

While South Korea is often known for academic rigor, it’s beginning to shift toward less pressure and more creativity, acknowledging the toll that extreme testing takes on mental health. Holistic development—emotional, physical, ethical—is becoming more central in top systems.

What America Can Do:

Incorporate mental health education, physical wellness, and character building into every school.
Reduce homework and start school later to match adolescent sleep patterns.
Focus on engagement and joy in learning, not just academic achievement.

Conclusion: America Needs Bold, Not Cosmetic, Reforms

The American education system doesn’t need minor tweaks—it needs a deep structural rethinking. The U.S. must stop chasing short-term metrics and start investing in long-term human development. The solutions are already out there—proven by countries that spend less but achieve more. What’s missing is the political will, public consensus, and cultural shift toward treating education as a national priority on par with defense or the economy.

Education should be the ladder of opportunity. But in its current form, American public education too often reinforces inequality rather than reversing it.

The good news? With vision and courage, it can be fixed. And the world has already written the playbook.

World-Class Learning: The Rich Countries with the Best Education Systems

World-Class Learning: The Rich Countries with the Best Education Systems

When it comes to the best education systems globally, many of the top performers are high-income nations that have long invested in building robust, equitable, and future-ready schools. These countries don’t just throw money at education—they design systems that cultivate curiosity, reward excellence in teaching, and prioritize the holistic development of each child.

Below are some of the richest countries in the world that also happen to have the best education systems, along with the key features that set them apart:

1. Finland: The Gold Standard of Equitable Learning

Finland’s education system has become a global benchmark—not for being the most high-tech or the most competitive, but for being the most humane and effective.

Key Features:

No standardized testing—except one national exam at the end of high school.
Highly qualified teachers—all must hold master’s degrees, and teaching is among the most prestigious professions.
Equal opportunity—funding is allocated to ensure all students, regardless of region or background, get the same quality of education.
Late start, strong finish—formal schooling begins at age 7, but early childhood emphasizes play and emotional intelligence.
Short school days, no homework culture—with more emphasis on learning how to learn.

2. Singapore: Small Country, Big Results

From struggling in the 1960s to topping global rankings today, Singapore's education system is a model of intentional, data-driven excellence.

Key Features:

Rigorous curriculum, especially in math and science—Singapore math is used in many U.S. schools.
High-stakes exams, used to track students into academic or technical pathways.
Continuous teacher development, with mentorship, regular training, and competitive salaries.
Bilingual education—students must learn both English and their mother tongue.
Strong parental involvement, reflecting a national culture that prizes educational achievement.

3. South Korea: High Achievement, High Pressure

South Korea’s education system is intense and results-driven. It boasts near-universal literacy and top rankings in reading and math.

Key Features:

Massive societal investment in education, including a $20 billion private tutoring (hagwon) industry.
National obsession with university entrance, centered around the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test).
Highly respected teachers, with government-set standards and good pay.
Digital classrooms, with tech-integrated instruction across subjects.
Moral education included in curriculum, promoting civic values alongside academics.

4. Canada: Quiet Excellence

Canada often flies under the radar, but it consistently performs among the top in reading, science, and math—with less inequality than most other rich nations.

Key Features:

Decentralized system, with each province managing its own schools yet achieving high standards.
Diversity-friendly policies, ensuring that immigrant and indigenous students are included and supported.
Bilingual education (English and French), with a strong emphasis on language proficiency.
Low dropout rates, high college enrollment, and excellent public school options.
Teachers are unionized, well-paid, and professionally respected.

5. Japan: Blending Tradition and Innovation

Japan is known for its disciplined and structured education system, which is rooted in values like respect, perseverance, and group harmony.

Key Features:

Long school hours and after-school programs, creating a full-day learning experience.
Standardized curriculum, set nationally but delivered with local flexibility.
Classroom cleanliness and student responsibility—children clean their classrooms themselves.
High literacy and numeracy rates, with world-leading results on global assessments.
Moral and character education, emphasizing social responsibility.

6. Netherlands: Choice and Autonomy

The Dutch system is known for school choice, inclusive policies, and student happiness—a rare combination of freedom and structure.

Key Features:

Publicly funded school choice, allowing parents to choose among public, religious, or alternative schools.
Focus on student well-being, with policies against stress and over-testing.
Early identification of learning needs, including support for students with disabilities or language barriers.
Short school hours but high effectiveness, especially in early childhood education.
High English proficiency, taught from a young age.

Conclusion: What Makes These Systems Great?

Across all these high-income nations, a few common threads emerge:

Professionalization of teaching: Great education systems treat teachers like experts.
Equity as a foundation: Top systems ensure that excellence is for everyone, not just the privileged.
Balance between academic rigor and well-being: Learning environments are designed to challenge without crushing.
Commitment to continuous innovation, adapting systems to meet future needs—whether that’s digital skills, climate literacy, or emotional intelligence.

Wealth can help build a strong education system—but it’s how a country uses its wealth that truly determines whether its students will thrive. These nations prove that the right policies, values, and priorities can make all the difference.

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

How Singapore Handles Retirement

People really don’t understand how expensive aging is in America. Not just for the middle class, but even for people who think they’re rich. Unless you’re very very wealthy, you’re probably not prepared.

I just read a story about a retired doctor paying $11,000 a month for…
— Rui Ma (@ruima) May 6, 2025

Singapore’s retirement system is primarily built around the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a mandatory social security savings scheme that covers retirement, healthcare, and housing needs. Here’s how it works and why it’s structured this way:

How Singapore Handles Retirement

1. Central Provident Fund (CPF) Structure:

- Contributions: Employees and employers contribute a percentage of the employee’s salary to the CPF (e.g., 20% from employees and 17% from employers for those aged 55 and below, as of 2025, with rates varying by age). These contributions are capped at a certain income level.

- Accounts: Funds are split into three main accounts:

- Ordinary Account (OA): For housing, education, and investment.

- Special Account (SA): For retirement savings and investments with higher interest rates.

- MediSave Account (MA): For healthcare expenses, including hospitalization and approved medical insurance.

- At age 55, a Retirement Account (RA) is created, combining savings from the SA and OA to fund retirement payouts.

2. CPF LIFE (Lifelong Income for the Elderly):

- At age 65, Singaporeans can opt into CPF LIFE, a national annuity scheme that provides monthly payouts for life. The amount depends on the savings in the RA and the plan chosen (e.g., Standard, Basic, or Escalating).

- Payouts are designed to cover basic living expenses, with flexibility to withdraw lump sums under certain conditions.

3. Retirement Age and Withdrawals:

- The official retirement age is 63 (rising to 64 by 2026), but employment is encouraged beyond this through re-employment policies until age 68.

- At age 55, individuals can withdraw a portion of their CPF savings (after setting aside a Full Retirement Sum, around SGD 213,600 in 2025) for immediate needs.

- Monthly payouts typically start at 65 via CPF LIFE, ensuring a steady income stream.

4. Supplementary Policies:

- Silver Support Scheme: Provides cash payouts to low-income elderly with limited family support.

- Workfare Income Supplement: Boosts income and CPF savings for low-wage older workers.

- Housing Monetization: Seniors can downsize homes or lease out rooms to unlock housing equity for retirement funds.

- Healthcare Subsidies: MediSave, MediShield Life, and government subsidies reduce out-of-pocket medical costs, preserving retirement savings.

5. High Interest Rates

- CPF savings earn guaranteed minimum interest rates (e.g., 2.5% for OA, 4% for SA, MA, and RA, with an extra 1% on the first SGD 60,000 for those aged 55 and above). This ensures savings grow steadily.

Why Singapore Uses This System

1. Self-Reliance and Individual Responsibility:

- Singapore’s philosophy emphasizes personal accountability over welfare dependency. The CPF forces individuals to save for their own retirement, reducing reliance on state handouts or family support.

- This aligns with the government’s aversion to a welfare state, which it views as unsustainable given Singapore’s small population and lack of natural resources.

2. Economic and Social Stability:

- By tying CPF to housing, healthcare, and retirement, the system supports multiple pillars of social stability. Homeownership (over 90% of Singaporeans own homes) and healthcare access reduce financial stress, allowing focus on retirement savings.

- High CPF contribution rates ensure a disciplined savings culture, preventing poverty in old age and reducing fiscal burdens on the government.

3. Aging Population:

- Singapore faces a rapidly aging population (projected 1 in 4 citizens will be over 65 by 2030). CPF LIFE’s annuity model ensures lifelong income, mitigating the risk of outliving savings.

- Policies encouraging older workers to remain employed (e.g., re-employment laws, wage subsidies) address labor shortages and boost retirement funds.

4. Historical Context:

- Introduced in 1955, the CPF was initially a basic retirement savings scheme but evolved to address housing (1960s) and healthcare (1980s) as Singapore urbanized and prospered. It reflects a pragmatic response to the needs of a developing nation with limited welfare infrastructure.

- The system’s mandatory nature was designed to counter low savings rates in a young, rapidly industrializing society.

5. Fiscal Prudence:

- Unlike pension systems in many Western countries, CPF avoids unfunded liabilities. The government doesn’t promise future payouts it can’t afford; instead, it manages a fully funded system where individuals’ savings are invested (via the Government Investment Corporation) to generate returns.

- This minimizes taxpayer burden and aligns with Singapore’s low-tax, high-growth economic model.

Challenges and Criticisms

- Adequacy: Some Singaporeans, especially low-wage workers, struggle to accumulate enough CPF savings for a comfortable retirement, as payouts may only cover basic needs.

- Flexibility: The system is rigid, with limited access to funds before age 55, which can frustrate those needing liquidity.

- Inequality: Higher earners benefit more from CPF’s tax relief and investment options, while low-income workers may rely on minimal payouts.

Conclusion

Singapore’s retirement system, centered on the CPF, is a compulsory, multi-purpose savings scheme designed to promote self-reliance, social stability, and fiscal sustainability. It reflects the government’s pragmatic, anti-welfare stance and addresses the challenges of an aging population in a resource-scarce nation. While effective for many, its success depends on income levels and personal financial discipline, prompting ongoing tweaks to enhance inclusivity and adequacy.

Here’s the article:https://t.co/lCRfVcpDhn

Some of what happened: the resident, a retired doctor, fell and was left on the floor for 20 minutes. Staff didn’t check on him, didn’t notice he was bleeding, and didn’t help him change clothes for days. His care “plan” came with…
— Rui Ma (@ruima) May 6, 2025

Spoken like someone who’s never had to care for someone seriously ill
— Rui Ma (@ruima) May 6, 2025

Monday, January 06, 2025

6: Singapore

Thursday, October 03, 2019

The Dubai Sheikh Is A Business School Case Study

It is interesting that 10 days ago I could not have recognized his picture. And now I am digging up details on him.

Dubai has to be compared to Singapore. It is to the Sheikh's disadvantage that he was born royal. That might make people give him less credit than he deserves. But Dubai has seen unprecedented transformation while he has been actively leading. Success was not guaranteed. The results are visible and measurable.

Oil money is not enough explanation. Venezuela also had it. Many countries in Africa have been mineral-rich. But we have not seen the transformation.

I am just beginning to read up on it. I will have more to say as I read more.

What has already happened is interesting enough. But to me what is of greater interest is what is possible next. I look at all of Dubai and I see a helipad, figuratively speaking. The infrastructure has been built. But now the city could truly take off.

Friday, May 31, 2019

Will The Trade War Force A New Equilibrium?

The pain from the trade war has only just started. And so the two sides might feel like there is some wiggle room, that they can afford to wait a little. But in a year things might look different. If the two sides stay at only increased tariffs for a year or so, that is one thing. But if there is escalation and the US tries to kill Huawei and China clamps down on its rare earth minerals exports, we will move into the territory of unintended consequences.

High tech is not made for self-sufficiency. Only when countries and companies come together can privacy and security issues be tackled. And even then it is hard. But countries going solo is simply not an option. In the field of tech and innovation, the more cross-pollination the better.

Since the US has similar beef with Europe, among others, you could see some realignment.

There is a great chance that a protracted trade war will lead to major domestic political complications for Donald Trump. The impeachment train is independent of the trade war train. The impeachment might or might not happen, but the investigations surely will.

That is not to say China's capacity for pain is substantially greater. A full-fledged trade war could lead to mass unrests. But there are numerous steps to that stage. The markets will jitter and react to every step in between and that will roil the political spheres.

If both sides decide to stay on this side of sanity and do engage in a trade tussle but not a full-blown trade war, then that could lead to a new equilibrium, both between the two powers, and also the powers of the world.

American exceptionalism has never been the same as white supremacist thinking. Every country is unique. In that way, America is also exceptional.

The march towards a new equilibrium is not going to be pain-free, but it need not be too disruptive. The primary hope is that the two powers cut a deal and spare the global economy unnecessary hiccups. The secondary hope is that they don't go too far in their tussle and stay on this side of sanity.

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Trump And Xi Should Cut A Deal In Japan
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Mueller Drops A Bomb
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A Sanders-Warren Ticket
Donald Trump Is Messing Up A Good Thing
5G Challenges US Hegemony
India 2050: Amitabh Kant
Brexit, Aexit, And Trump
African Economic Union
Understanding China (2)
Trump's Prospects In 2020
Understanding China
Political Fallout For Xi
Made In China 2025
Trade War: The Spiral Down Scenario
Three Crises: China, Iran, DC Two Out Of Three: Kamala, Andrew, Pete
Modi 2.0 And The 5G Question
Trade War Commentaries
One Million Uighurs
The Mighty Dollar
India 2019: Looks Like A TsuNAMO
2020: The Year Of The Social Democrat
Andrew Yang: Universal Basic Income, Elizabeth Warren: Wealth Tax
Trade War: Intellectual Property
Trade War Endgame Scenarios: Look At Canada, And North Korea For Hints
The US And The Chinese Economies Are Super Well-Connected
Trade War Endgame Scenarios
US China Trade War: A Meeting Of The Hot And Cold Fronts

Trump’s trade wars have cost the stock market $5 trillion and counting: Deutsche Bank
Trump's threat of Mexico trade war sends markets lower
Trade War Starts Changing Manufacturers in Hard-to-Reverse Ways

The new front in Trump’s trade war could cost consumers at least $93 billion But the figures don’t take into account all the impact: That’s because in the critical auto industry, many parts crisscross borders multiple times....... “Production processes would have to be changed in substantial ways to reduce the impact of the tariffs, reducing productivity in a significant way,” said Carlos Capistran, Canada and Mexico economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. “This could eventually lead many firms that currently produce in Mexico to relocate to the U.S., significantly impacting growth in Mexico.”..... vehicles are the top U.S. imports from Mexico, worth $93 billion last year. They are followed by electrical machinery ($64 billion), machinery ($63 billion), mineral fuels ($16 billion) and medical instruments ($15 billion) ..... “The big question at the end of the day though is can we really fight two trade wars at the same time?”

Trade war could trigger a ‘global financial crisis,’ says ex-China central bank chief The former central bank chief also attributed recent weakness in the yuan to the market’s reaction to trade tensions, while noting that Beijing would not devalue the currency in response. He said that fundamentals, such as economic growth and foreign exchange reserves, support a stable yuan...... “It can be said, that the U.S. this time has at the wrong time, fought a wrong war, and chosen a wrong opponent” ...... it might be America’s greatest mistake since World War II, or even the country’s founding, all out of unwillingness to accept China as a rising power........ the trade tensions could last 30 years or more, especially since he expects the U.S. will keep on with its investigations — even if a deal is reached in the near term. ...... “I’m confident that time, reason and truth are on our side,” he said. “Our Chinese people will most certainly win, peace will most certainly win.”

John Negroponte: Trump’s new tariff on Mexico is ‘bad politically and bad economically’ “I think it’s both bad politically and bad economically and I don’t think it’s really going to help solve the immigration problem, either, which is what Mr. Trump said he’s trying to attack” ...... U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican who represents Iowa, slammed the move. He called it a “misuse of presidential tariff authority.”

Shares of US automakers plunge because they have major production in Mexico The big three automakers each have billions of dollars at stake due both production and suppliers in Mexico.....Shares of General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and Ford dropped in trading Friday. ...... Fiat Chrysler dropped 4.9% while General Motors was down 4.5% and Ford skidded 3.1%...... tariffs on Mexico’s imports “threaten the jobs of tens of thousands of Americans here in the United States.” .... GM and Fiat Chrysler import 29% and 24%, respectively, of the total parts for its cars and trucks from Mexico. Ford has the second highest total imported vehicles from Mexico at 17% ...... the host of auto industry suppliers at risk to tariffs on Mexico, including Aptiv, Adient, Dana, Lear, Visteon, Goodyear Tire & Rubber and BorgWarner.

Trump’s trade war polls badly in key states like Pennsylvania, threatening his support for 2020
Surprise Mexican tariffs hurt China agreement chances: ‘How can you trust Trump to honor a deal?’

The US slipped to third place in a ranking of most competitive economies Singapore’s immigration laws, advanced technological infrastructure, availability of skilled labor and efficient ways to set up new businesses helped it advance to the top..... For the first time in nine years, Singapore surpassed the United States and Hong Kong to clinch the title of the world’s most competitive economy ...... With regard to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, Bris said he “would call it a tantrum in the sense that it is hurting companies in the United States more than in any other country.”...... Indonesia, in particular, leapfrogged 11 places to become the 32nd most competitive economy in the world. Thailand also advanced five places to the 25th position.

France’s health-care system was ranked as the world’s best—Here’s how it compares with the US’ With the Democrats pushing for a government-funded model and President Donald Trump campaigning on repealing Obamacare without a clear alternative, Americans are considering what kind of health care system they may want.

Ray Dalio warns China restricting rare earth metals would be ‘major escalation’ of trade war
China is establishing an ‘unreliable entities’ list that will include companies and people “Foreign enterprises, organizations and individuals that do not comply with market rules, violate the spirit of contract, block or cut supplies to Chinese firms with non-commercial purposes, and seriously damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, will be added to the list of unreliable entities”

Cramer: Trump no longer cares if his China policies hurt American businesses That tanked the shares of a group of chipmakers — Qualcomm, Skyworks Solutions, Broadcom, Micron, and Xilinx — as much as 7.3% ...... Walmart has warned that it will have to raise its prices if Trump goes through with his promises to slap another 25% tariff on $300 billion, on top of the existing $200 billion, worth of Chinese imports...... he’s more concerned about the strong American dollar’s negative impact on the chain’s international sales.

Stocks slump after US expands trade war to Mexico

As U.S.-China tensions escalate, the trade war has morphed into a deeper, harder conflict the conflict with China has widened beyond the original trade-based issues..... Officials on both sides of the Pacific have begun to portray the U.S.-China relationship in nationalistic and emotion-charged terms that suggest a much deeper conflict. ...... Recently, for example, a private group of American economists and trade experts with long-standing experience in China traveled to Beijing, expecting their usual technical give-and-take with Chinese government officials........ Instead, a member of the Chinese Politburo harangued them for almost an hour, describing the U.S.-China relationship as a “clash of civilizations” and boasting that China’s government-controlled system was far superior to the “Mediterranean culture” of the West, with its internal divisions and aggressive foreign policy..... Nothing short of a deal struck directly by the two leaders is likely to avert new rounds of punches and counter-punches over economic and financial ties ...... whether either leader is interested in a stand-down is unclear....... China.. will probably “hunker down and try to get by until either the second term of the Trump administration or the incoming new administration.” ..... the domestic politics, for now, seem to favor conflict, not compromise. ...... The political risk for Trump from potential Democratic opponents in 2020 isn’t from hitting China too hard, but treading too softly or coming away with a weak deal...... the best one might hope for is a temporary truce, and even that will be hard to come by if Trump keeps piling on the pressure. ..... Already one in five U.S. firms operating in China say they face increased inspections and slower customs clearances ........ Beijing also could spur boycotts of popular American products such as Apple iPhones or curtail tourism to the United States, which would be particularly painful for states such as California. And American universities already are fretting about a potential drop-off in full-tuition-paying Chinese students...... Boeing, the single biggest American exporter to China .. Sales to China last year accounted for more than 20% of the company’s commercial aircraft revenue. ...... the next escalation could come in mid-August. That’s when the Commerce Department's 90-day reprieve for Huawei runs out and the Chinese start to find out how long and well Huawei can manage without key Android software updates from Google, as well as crucial chips and other hardware from American suppliers. ..... the possibility of a limited trade deal by fall ..... they’ll need to reset the tone a little bit and try to manage a de-escalation” of the trade war

Elizabeth Warren went on The View and explained her wealth tax and what it would pay for (free college, student debt forgiveness, universal childcare) so well that the crowd went wild. She really knows how to shut down the Republican “bUt HoW aRe YoU gOnNa PaY fOr It?” nonsense. pic.twitter.com/uStYarcpx3
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) May 30, 2019

This morning #ElizabethWarren explained her proposed Wealth Tax, saying it will wipe out student debt, invest in HBCUs and more. Who likes this idea? pic.twitter.com/xAiuqOnf05
— The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam) May 31, 2019

Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with @AOC Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation? https://t.co/jPW0xkH2Yy
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 30, 2019

China Has Rare Earths Plan Ready to Go If Trade War Deepens

If Asia is tired of ‘Emperor Xi’, it must get its head around Indiahttps://t.co/2Bo3AHbYOx
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 31, 2019

How Christianity and Confucianism can explain US-China rivalryhttps://t.co/8vE9VwJea3
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 31, 2019

Can China and the US avoid a clash of flawed but great civilisations?https://t.co/5ZyNLWFAZm
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 31, 2019

US ‘wholly responsible’ for lack of new trade war talks with Chinahttps://t.co/ygR7G4uKda
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 31, 2019

US is waging a tech war against this Shenzhen districthttps://t.co/nOREPoVuXX
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 31, 2019

Here’s why Huawei’s founder is reading this Frenchman’s bookhttps://t.co/0WTK2dkdLh
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 31, 2019

US-China trade breakthrough ‘unlikely’ at G20 meetinghttps://t.co/VAPLsH8x9X
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 31, 2019

You’re on. https://t.co/S3TBfNeO3Q
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 30, 2019

There are temples and shrines everywhere – honouring Gods and deities – but none more important than Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Shiva, the destroyer. It’s also the land of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata – echoes of which have reverberated across Southeast Asia. And on the Ganges plain, you can trace the life and death of the Buddha – a vital bond with Southeast Asia’s 150 million or so Buddhists........ India’s US$9.449 trillion economy (currently the third-largest in Purchasing Power Parity terms) and a 7.3 per cent GDP growth rate (the fastest among the G20 nations)..... with China becoming increasingly heavy-handed, Southeast Asia desperately needs India to play a larger role in our future – economics and business is just the beginning.

Africa, largely ignored in a U.S.-China trade war that could roil economies worldwide, is quietly piecing together the world’s largest free-trade zone https://t.co/dzAvvXEYqf pic.twitter.com/D5oCFcKsJK
— Bloomberg (@business) May 30, 2019

Despite Modi's pro-US policy, the US has piled up pressure on India on multiple fronts—trade, oil and defense. Its trade war with China has obscured its actions against India, including GSP withdrawal. Its message? Don't count on US as a reliable partner! https://t.co/vQvX4T8O6W
— Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) May 31, 2019

This is how Trade war ends :) pic.twitter.com/LZkNtIQFSw
— Тулга l Tulga (@tulga2001us) May 31, 2019

I wrote two weeks ago about how the trade war threatens the economy in the heart of Trump Country, the American South, where lots of car manufacturing is done. https://t.co/OseEWIEkS6 pic.twitter.com/aam47wEdHH
— Mike Warren (@MichaelRWarren) May 31, 2019

Moody's: The 'full-blown' trade war will trigger a global recession via The Daily Shot pic.twitter.com/VntdPltVmx
— Adam Linton (@Adamlinton1) May 31, 2019

::logs into TSP / 401(k) at the end of the month::

“The first casualty of [DJT’S Trade] War is i̶n̶n̶o̶c̶e̶n̶c̶e̶ your retirement savings.” pic.twitter.com/Gg4lEmKOMi
— rick (@PlunkettPrime) May 31, 2019

The only thing better than one trade war is two trade wars... Grab them by the Tariffs.
— BlockchainLindzon+ (@howardlindzon) May 31, 2019

"Trade wars are good, and easy to win," Trump said.

But how would a trade war really impact Americans?

We traveled across the country and met the people facing the realities of Trump's trade war.

Watch our full #VICEonHBO special here https://t.co/hR5yiKQU0G pic.twitter.com/3X8DKxVA9C
— VICE News (@vicenews) May 31, 2019

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Understanding China (2)

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Stop And Briskly Frisk

In Singapore they cane your ass if you spit on the sidewalk. At least Mike Bloomberg did not go that far.

I got frisked once, by this most beautiful police officer young woman. She went straight for the pocket.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The Economist's Coverage Of Modi Anniversary: Poor

English: 1937 Deng Xiaoping in NRA uniform. 1937年，任八路军总部政治部副主任的邓小平。 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bill Clinton ended up giving America the longest peacetime economic expansion in history. Were people able to see that coming in year 1? In year 2? In year 3? No. Some things take time.

Frankly, part of The Economist's coverage is patronizing. Perhaps the London newspaper has a colonial hangover.

Look, I was not even rooting for Modi in the 2014 election, and you can check this blog's archives. Although I did not blame him for the 2002 riots (got to respect the Supreme Court) and I liked his work as Gujrat Chief Minister a lot. I came to him late. But I have come to him strong.

This guy is Deng Xiaoping. Manmohan Singh started economic reforms in India. But he did not have the political skills or stature that Modi has.

This guy's hero is Lee Kuan Yew, and for good reason.

Pages

Monday, June 30, 2025

Thursday, May 08, 2025

1. Elevate the Teaching Profession — Like Finland

2. Make Education Equitable — Like Canada

3. Reduce Testing, Focus on Learning — Like Finland and the Netherlands

4. Invest Early — Like Japan and Singapore

5. Modernize Curriculum for the 21st Century — Like Estonia

6. Rethink College-Readiness and Vocational Tracks — Like Germany

7. Cultivate Whole-Child Education — Like South Korea (But Less Stressful)

Conclusion: America Needs Bold, Not Cosmetic, Reforms

1. Finland: The Gold Standard of Equitable Learning

2. Singapore: Small Country, Big Results

3. South Korea: High Achievement, High Pressure

4. Canada: Quiet Excellence

5. Japan: Blending Tradition and Innovation

6. Netherlands: Choice and Autonomy

Conclusion: What Makes These Systems Great?

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

Monday, January 06, 2025

Thursday, October 03, 2019

Friday, May 31, 2019

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

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