The Hinrich Foundation welcomed Patricia Holmes, First Assistant Secretary, Trade Law and Economic Security Division and Chief Trade Law Officer at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for a private roundtable on 5 November, moderated by Hinrich Foundation Research Director Chuin Wei Yap. The discussion examined Australia's approach to economic security, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’s (ASEAN) response to growing geoeconomic pressures, and the role of regional integration, partnerships, and trade rules in strengthening economic resilience.

The discussion touched on concerns over China’s industrial overcapacity and subsidies, as well as the challenges facing Southeast Asia amid US-China competition. Participants also considered the World Trade Organization’s continued relevance amid mounting challenges to the rules-based trading system, the role of regional and plurilateral trade arrangements, and opportunities for cooperation among middle powers to preserve open markets and rules-based trade.

Guests included the Australian High Commission Singapore, the New Zealand High Commission Singapore, the Embassy of Denmark in Singapore, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as Singapore’s Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, RSM Singapore, the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore, and Daimler Truck AG.

Some photos from the session: