Asia's factories end the year on a weak footing as Trump 2.0 risks mount
The Straits Times|January 03, 2025
Asian factory powerhouses ended 2024 on a soft note as expectations for 2025 soured amid growing trade risks from a second Donald Trump presidency and persistently weak Chinese demand.

A series of manufacturing purchasing managers' indexes (PMIs) for December from across the region published on Jan 2 showed factory activity slowing in China and South Korea, although there were some signs of a pickup in Taiwan and South-east Asia.

Trump has pledged to impose big tariffs on imports from three major trading partners - Mexico, Canada and China - which are expected to affect other large exporting nations and global business activity.

The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI for China nudged down to 50.5 in December from 51.5 in November, undershooting analysts' forecasts, indicating activity grew only modestly. That echoed an official survey released earlier this week, which showed factory activity barely growing.

This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
The Straits Times

Passengers say Turkish Airlines flights have bedbugs

Shortly after boarding her Turkish Airlines flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul in March, Ms Patience Titcombe from Phoenix noticed a small bug crawling on her seat when she got up to use the restroom.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
Actor Ben Yeo shutters restaurant after incurring $1 million loss in two years
The Straits Times

Actor Ben Yeo shutters restaurant after incurring $1 million loss in two years

Local actor and F&B entrepreneur Ben Yeo is shutting down the high-end modern Chinese restaurant he founded, Tan Xiang Yuan, after two years.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
Director Jeff Baena elevated dark themes with humour in his works
The Straits Times

Director Jeff Baena elevated dark themes with humour in his works

American director and screenwriter Jeff Baena, who co-wrote the dark comedy I Heart Huckabees (2004) and directed films including Life After Beth (2014) and Horse Girl (2020), died on Jan. 3 at a residence in Los Angeles. He was 47.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
Squid Game star denies ties with South Korea ruling party's former leader
The Straits Times

Squid Game star denies ties with South Korea ruling party's former leader

Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae has distanced himself from the party of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol after a photo of him with the party's ex-leader resurfaced online, according to Korean media.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
Japanese cast dominates as Shogun breaks new ground
The Straits Times

Japanese cast dominates as Shogun breaks new ground

Comeback stories and Asian representation at the awards show celebrating the best in film and TV

time-read
4 mins  |
January 07, 2025
A toast to Switzerland
The Straits Times

A toast to Switzerland

The country is adopting a sip-and-stay approach to spread the word on its best-kept secret – wines

time-read
6 mins  |
January 07, 2025
Saving the mysterious African manatee in Cameroon
The Straits Times

Saving the mysterious African manatee in Cameroon

Ever since his first hard-won sightings of African manatees, award-winning marine biologist Aristide Takoukam Kamla has been devoted to protecting the little-known and at-risk aquatic mammals.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 07, 2025
'CRAZY' CHUA TURNS PRO
The Straits Times

'CRAZY' CHUA TURNS PRO

S'pore triathlete aims to win SEA Games, qualify for Asian Games and Olympics

time-read
3 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The fall in sport is cruel, inevitable and hard to digest
The Straits Times

The fall in sport is cruel, inevitable and hard to digest

In sport, this is the guarantee. Falls will be hard. The boxer sent to the canvas. The rugby winger brought to earth. The gymnast slipping off the high bar. And the hero tumbling from his pedestal.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 07, 2025
AMORIM WANTS SAME 'MENTALITY EVERY DAY'
The Straits Times

AMORIM WANTS SAME 'MENTALITY EVERY DAY'

United need to replicate the fortitude shown in draw at Liverpool to become a better side

time-read
3 mins  |
January 07, 2025