It is a thoroughly modern irony that the world’s most abundant resource is now also its most critical asset. In the age of data, ever-increasing amounts of the resource are being generated, collected, traded, analyzed, and weaponized to make decisions large and small that could change the very course of history. In a deep dive that we commissioned from Visual Capitalist, as part of the Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index, we lay out a graphics-first essay on how data has exponentially grown, its evolution over millennia, its modern commoditization, and how AI and geopolitics are driving data to become decisive pivots of global power. As Trump 2.0 delivers a trade policy agenda with far-reaching repercussions on global stability, Deborah Elms sits with Nikkei Asia’s Ryohei Yasoshima to size up what America First has meant for global trade and what Elms calls out as Trump’s “choose your own tariff” adventure. Turning to the Pacific Rim, Stephanie Honey examines the extent to which the CPTPP can maintain its “gold standard” position as a leader on global digital trade rules. Plus, find out more about our upcoming International Trade Fellowship, co-organized with the National Press Foundation, and see what we have been reading on Trump’s tariff whiplash.
DEEP DIVE
The age of data
Visual Capitalist 11 March 2025
It is a thoroughly modern irony that the world’s most abundant resource is now also its most critical asset. In the age of data, ever-increasing amounts of the resource are being generated, collected, traded, analyzed, and weaponized to make decisions large and small that could change the very course of history. In a visual-first deep dive that we commissioned from Visual Capitalist, as part of the Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index, we lay out how data has exponentially grown, its evolution over millennia, its modern commoditization, and how AI and geopolitics are driving data to become decisive pivots of global power.
The America First “choose your own tariff” adventure
Deborah Elms
AFPC-USA
11 March 2025
Trump 2.0 promised a bold trade agenda and a strategic game plan for implementing radical trade policies. Deborah Elms, our Head of Trade Policy, sits with Nikkei Asia Washington bureau chief Ryohei Yasoshima, to size up what Trump’s first month back in office has meant for global trade, in an interview under our partnership with the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents-USA.
Can the CPTPP maintain its gold standard on digital rules?
Stephanie Honey 11 March 2025
To what extent can the CPTPP maintain its “gold standard” position as a leader on digital trade rules? Trade consultant Stephanie Honey highlights the opportunity to improve CPTPP services market access commitments, recognizing that the CPTPP, unlike digital economy agreements, can potentially do something ambitious on digitally delivered services, which serve as the engine of much modern economic activity.
International Trade Fellowship 2025 for journalists
The Hinrich Foundation and the National Press Foundation will host the annual four-day International Trade Fellowship on 22 to 25 June this year in Singapore for Asia-based journalists. This expenses-paid fellowship will cover all aspects of global trade, addressing key topics such as Trump tariffs, US trade policy, geopolitics, supply chains, climate change, and more.
Just two days after imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Trump reversed course, granting a one-month exemption for USMCA-compliant goods while raising tariffs on all Chinese imports to 20%. These sudden shifts are creating uncertainty for businesses, disrupting supply chains, and straining trade relations. With new tariffs on steel, aluminum, and shipbuilding on the horizon, global trade tensions continue to escalate. Check out what we’ve been reading.
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