Asia Economist and CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors

Manu Bhaskaran

Mr. Bhaskaran is a leading Asian economist based in Singapore with more than 30 years of experience in studying economic, political and security issues that shape the business environment in Asia. He co-ordinates the Asian business of Washington DC-based strategic advisory firm, Centennial Group, directing its Asian economic research practice which provides in-depth analysis of macro trends in Asia. He works extensively with investment institutions, government agencies and corporations. Mr. Bhaskaran regularly presents his views on the economic, political and business environment in Asia at business conferences and in-house briefings. He has conducted studies on a wide range of subjects including: consumer finance in Asia; Asian integration; regional and country-specific political and economic outlooks; the Impact of China on Asia; portfolio capital flows in emerging markets, amongst many others. He is as a member of the Regional Advisory Group for Asia and the Pacific of the International Monetary Fund. Mr. Bhaskaran is a regular columnist for The Edge (Singapore) and holds positions in think tanks including being Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS); Vice President of the Economics Society of Singapore, and Council Member of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). Mr. Bhaskaran serves on the boards of CIMB Investment Bank and Japfa Limited.

Asia Economist and CEO

Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Timely Resolution to US-China Strategic Rivalry

No Respite in US-China Relations as US Cranks up the Heat

Pledged Shares Woes/Easing and Tax Cuts/Urban Consumers/Xi’s Southern Tour/Xi and Trump to Meet

Further Worsening of US-China Ties Carries Deep Implications for East Asia

Global Trade Outlook Still Clouded by US-China Jousting

Global Trade: Japan Could Be Next as the US-China Trade Spat Escalates

Centennial Asia Advisors

At Centennial Asia Advisors, we tell it like it is. We have no vested interests, no need for a China wall, and no reason to skew our outlook any other way. With over 30 years experience covering Asia’s political economy, you can be sure our conclusions and analyses are based on the unadulterated facts. Through years of fine-tuning our research methodologies, we deliver a quality of macroeconomic analysis few other houses can match.

Centennial Asia Advisors is an independent research and advisory firm that works with governments, multilateral institutions, financial firms and leading MNCs.

Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

United states / Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The past week saw a decisive shift in US policy on China towards an increasingly adversarial approach.</li>
<li>Near term, tensions will worsen as the US steps up naval operations in contested waters and the US Treasury could use its forthcoming statement on currency manipulation to further press China. Eventually, the 2 big powers will talk, but not for a while.</li>
<li>Political and economic risks will grow in China. The authorities have prioritised growth above all else because they know that economic weakness could undermine their political position.</li>
<li>In the longer term, US-China ties will remain fraught as the US seeks to contain China’s rise and China reacts. Asian countries on the periphery will struggle to manage pressures to choose sides reminiscent of the Cold War while facing the risk of accidental clashes between the two big powers. More resources will have to be diverted to defence.</li>
</ul>


The past week saw a decisive shift in US policy on China towards an increasingly adversarial approach.
Near term, tensions will worsen as the US steps up naval operations in contested waters and the US Treasury could use its forthcoming statement on currency manipulation to further press China. Eventually, the 2 big powers will talk, but not for a while.
Political and economic risks will grow in China. The authorities have prioritised growth above all else because they know that economic weakness could undermine their political position.
In the longer term, US-China ties will remain fraught as the US seeks to contain China’s rise and China reacts. Asian countries on the periphery will struggle to manage pressures to choose sides reminiscent of the Cold War while facing the risk of accidental clashes between the two big powers. More resources will have to be diverted to defence.


Escalating US-China Tensions: Not Quite a Cold War but Risks for East Asia up Sizeably