NEW PAPER
Data centers and undersea cables tangle in geopolitics and climate
by Kieran Thompson, Sector Manager, Defence Advanced Manufacturing and Technology, Dragoman
NEW PAPER
Joining the CPTPP: A better way to streamline the process
by Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy, Hinrich Foundation
NEW PAPER
Primer on regional trade agreements
by Michael Plummer, Eni Professor of International Economics, Johns Hopkins University
EVENT RECAP
Advancing sustainable global trade
By Tinglong Dai, Christopher Tang, and the National Bureau of Asian Research
Understanding global trade
Original research, strategic insights and quick analysis that offer a better understanding of key global trade trends and issues.
Engage our Ask HF Bot on any trade topic, to explain a trade issue, or suggest trade-related reading.
Get curated insights and experience a new way of discovering global trade with us.
Unlocking the Scope 3 opportunity
A look into public debt rankings
12 November 2024
How standards shield businesses from losses
19 November 2024
The national security question at the heart of the WTO e-commerce deal
12 November 2024
China’s long shadow on critical minerals looms over Asia
05 November 2024
How much of China’s investment into Africa is real?
15 October 2024
What Kamala Harris leaves open on US trade and economic strategy
08 October 2024
Trade distortion and protectionism
When does industrial policy reduce supply chain risk?
Paperless trade powers developing countries’ access to global supply chains
24 September 2024
Is China’s overseas direct investment outflanking US trade strategy?
27 August 2024
Killing MSME access to global trade
02 April 2024
Prepare to pay more for digital services
16 January 2024
Trade education tools
To help you develop leadership in trade, use the Hinrich Foundation Guide to Master's in International Business and Trade, explore our scholarships, view career options and use our free trade research for your studies.
Trade education resources
Selecting Master's Programs in International Business and Trade
The Hinrich Foundation Guide to Master’s in International Business and Trade will assist you to identify quality programs to achieve your education and trade career objectives. It highlights essential trade criteria, exemplar programs, key questions to ask, plus career options and trade resources.
Hinrich Foundation Alumni Association
All of our scholars become lifelong members of our diverse community of alumni passionate about advancing sustainable global trade. Together, they form the Hinrich Foundation Alumni Association (HFAA), where they connect with peers, learn from . . .
2024 Journalists Trade Training
Taking place from 23 to 26 June in Singapore, the 2024 National Press Foundation (NPF) International Trade Fellowship journalism training workshop convened 25 Asia-based journalists in an immersion in issues related to sustainable global trade. This . . .
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.
Christmas ends early for Chinese exporters as Western demand slumps
19 December 2023
As big spenders in the US and Europe seek price cuts, emerging markets in Southeast Asia and domestic consumption will become more and more important for Chinese traders, says Senior Research Fellow Stephen Olson. Overall, exports are likely to become less important as a growth engine for the Chinese economy.
4 questions we must ask as values move to the centre of the trade agenda
14 December 2023
A profound shift in global trade is underway, away from exclusively economic considerations towards a values-based approach to trade. While often well-intentioned, this also comes with significant complications beyond the obvious economic ramifications, Stephen Olson writes in this op-ed.
Biden Declares Victory Over Supply Snarls Just as New Delays, Costs Emerge
28 November 2023
Bloomberg announced their winning of the 2023 Hinrich trade reporting award. One story explored the subtle structural shifts in global commerce. Another told of how Brazil was turning to China for foreign investment. A third dug into data showing how the world is reorganizing into rival blocs.
America’s crumbling trade initiative in Asia
23 November 2023
There is no lack of American engagement in Asian capitals on security and geopolitics. There has been much less evidence of an economic dimension to the US’s Asian diplomacy—despite a strong desire for one across the region. Hinrich Foundation Head of Trade Policy Deborah Elms comments.
Old photo, birthday wish, ravioli lunch: Personal diplomacy on display during Xi-Biden meeting
17 November 2023
The many touches of personal diplomacy on display during the highly anticipated meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi are attempts to emphasise the more cooperative aspects of Sino-US relationship, noted Stephen Olson. But the fundamental points of conflict exist and will not disappear overnight.
Roundtable with Wendy Cutler on Trump 2.0
26 November 2024
The Hinrich Foundation hosted a closed-door roundtable with Wendy Cutler, Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute, to discuss the likely impact of Donald Trump's incoming administration and trade policy. The discussion covered Trump's potential trade measures including tariffs, changes to rules of origin in existing free trade agreements, and the implications to global geoeconomics.
The outlook for ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement
12 November 2024
As ASEAN sets ambitious goals to seal a Digital Economy Framework Agreement by the end of next year, the Hinrich Foundation hosted a roundtable with the Coalition for Digital Prosperity for Asia, NexTrade Group, and Amazon Web Services to brainstorm and seek insights into the outlook and key sticking points of the negotiations.
Transforming trade with electronic bills of lading
05 November 2024
In collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation, the team that created Singapore’s blockchain-based paperless documentation framework TradeTrust hosted a clinic on how the tool can help trade practitioners and industry. The event was held at the Foundation’s office on 17 October. Check out some photos here.