Advancing sustainable global trade
The Hinrich Foundation is a unique Asia-based philanthropic organization that works to advance mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade through research and educational programs.
Understanding global trade
Original research, strategic insights and quick analysis that offer a better understanding of key global trade trends and issues.
China’s microchip ambitions: Semiconductors advance the next phase of techno-nationalism
Release trapped working capital: Kashtec CEO
Quick takes: Biden’s 100-day supply chain review
Advancing sustainable development with FDI: Why policy must be reset
Pent-up demand makes way for durable economic recovery in APEC region
Coercion: The international economics of self-harm
Stark choices: A clear agenda to save the WTO
What Biden’s first 100 days tell us about trade
Education programs
Master’s degree scholarships and short courses for trade business professionals, media and policymakers that provide the practical knowledge and tools to advance sustainable global trade.
RMIT University Master of Global Trade
We are offering 20 scholarships to professionals working across global value chains for our Oct 2021 intake. Find out how to become a global trade leader. Trade employers looking to bridge the talent gap with universities, learn how with our transforming trade education case study.For educational institutions working to enhance graduate employability, download a case exemplar of industry engagement in higher education.Philanthropies looking to amplify their own philanthropic outcomes via leadership development, get your copy of a case exemplar of philanthropic collaboration.
Resources, support, and recognition for journalists
Objective analysis of trade trends and issues, short-courses, Masters in International Journalism Studies (MAIJS) scholarships and an award for distinguished reporting on trade.
Our experts are trusted by news organizations across the globe
In the news
Media come to us for fresh thinking and deep analysis into the issues impacting global trade outcomes. Read our recent experts’ commentaries. Drawn from a wide range of disciplines and sectors, our experts offer valuable views and opinions on achieving sustainable global trade.
The US and EU agreed to a truce in their near 17-year conflict over aircraft subsidies, but Research Fellow Stephen Olson says to South China Morning Post that there might be limitations on what can actually be accomplished. “What’s really needed is a substantially more stringent WTO subsidies agreement that can address the unique features of China’s economic system...However, there are still differences in opinion among EU member nations on how to deal with China’s trade policy, even though the US is ready for a much tougher stance."
The West is uniting to confront China. How worried should Beijing be?
US President Joe Biden's plan to unite Washington's closest allies and take on China was upfront at this year's G7 meeting. "Irreconcilable differences regarding values and growing frictions with China's mercantilist and authoritarian model will continue to drive polarization and competition," says Research Fellow Alex Capri. He added that "values-driven" frameworks from the West around infrastructure development, trade and supply chain networks are "clearly emerging."
A bill aimed at bolstering America’s technological power to counter China has singled out Huawei Technologies Co as a threat and prohibits the Commerce Department from removing it from a trade blacklist. "It has become impossible for US policymakers to separate companies like Huawei from Chinese state-driven initiatives and objectives. It is a paradigm shift…to a kind of selective mercantilism and techno-nationalism," says Research Fellow Alex Capri.
Biden’s trade strike force sees US turn to aggressive ‘industrial policy’ to counter Beijing
The Biden administration's announcement on the creation of a trade strike force, led by US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, signals a more aggressive stance towards China. Research Fellow Stephen Olson noted the review envisions “a high degree of government involvement” in domestic manufacturing and massive subsidization to private companies.“ Although the US has traditionally had an aversion to industrial policy, many of the recommendations contained in the review certainly look a lot like industrial policy,” said Olson.
Can China still lead the world in tech without a new Jack Ma?
Beijing's heavy-handed approach on its global tech champions could backfire by stifling an entrepreneurial spirit that has proven vital to the country's rapid economic rise. "The atmosphere hovering over China's tech landscape has grown increasingly toxic," said Research Fellow Alex Capri. The stepping down of Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, as CEO of the company proves that "fear trumps ambition if the threat of public humiliation or some worse form of punishment awaits those who challenge the system."
Biden expands Trump's list of Chinese companies banned from US investment
US President Joe Biden has expanded a Trump-era ban on American investment in dozens of Chinese firms that Washington believes are linked to China's military. The new order "moves the world a step closer to strategic decoupling in the global financial sector," said Research Fellow Alex Capri. "It underscores the difficulty that American financial firms are going to have in the future, trying to sort out which of their investments have ties back to the Chinese state."
More Vietnamese goods sourced by US groups
More American buyers are seeking out made-in-Vietnam goods in a bid to diversify their supply chains, as punitive tariffs placed on China by the US created a financial incentive for American buyers to source products from Vietnam which they might have previously sourced from China. However, the tariffs only accelerated a trend that was already underway, says Research Fellow Stephen Olson in this interview with Vietnam Investment Review.
India finds new challenges and opportunities in Sino-US tech war
India's size and tech talent base are a draw to US investors but structural economic shortcomings hold back its potential as an alternative to China. Our paper by Research Fellow Alex Capri on India's tech landscape was quoted in this Straits Times analysis on the country's potential to become the world's next technology hub.
