Rob Walker

Afternoon Briefing: Friday 1/8/2025 Patricia Karvelas brings you the latest in politics, national and global affairs, speaking with Isabella Higgins at Garma, plus Denise Bowden, Julian Leeser, Rob Walker, Allegra Spender, Brett Worthin...

Spoke with @patskarvelas.bsky.social last Friday about US tariff announcements and implications for Australia (~38mins in)

Albanese govt. strategy looks vindicated with lowest tariff possible but more 232 tariff investigations could pose a further threat.

iview.abc.net.au/video/NU2522...

The America First approach to trade and tariffs is only getting started Multiple legal mechanisms give the US President broad authority to impose sectoral levies beyond current negotiations.

More tariffs and trade uncertainty are coming, not less. TACO applies to individual decisions, not the general direction of Washington's approach to trade.

The America First Trade Policy is only getting started.

www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Indonesia: Prabowo’s populism clashes with economic realities Mounting headwinds leave limited space for President Prabowo’s spending and centralising tendencies.

New article for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social #Indonesia has failed to negotiate a reduced reciprocal tariff rate. With economic headwinds and Prabowo's populist direction, the outlook is increasingly precarious.
Bad policy in bad times is not a promising mix.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Indonesia's become the largest recipient in Southeast Asia for EV-related foreign direct investment. The massive nickel industry certainly has played a part. Read more here ➡️ www.lowyinstitute.org/publications...

Indonesia's downstreaming relied on export bans, nationalisation of mineral resources, foreign technology and huge tax benefits. This absolutely created an FDI boom into smelting operations for nickel and steel. But not for any other metals...read more ➡️ www.lowyinstitute.org/publications...

Indonesia's nickel industry has created some insane growth rates for local districts that built nickel smelters - over 100% in some years. Despite this intensive growth, poverty reduction did not follow. Read more here ➡️ www.lowyinstitute.org/publications...

The future of Indonesia’s green industrial policy Despite an early lead in EV and battery supply chains, Indonesia must opt for a more sustainable and open growth model to remain competitive.

Indonesia hopes to use its world-leading nickel supplies to build a competitive EV industry. But a new Lowy Institute Analysis by @robwalk3r.bsky.social & Hilman Palaon reveals a serious gap between Indonesian’s ambition and the industrial policy it needs.
www.lowyinstitute.org/publications...

China versus America on global trade - Lowy Institute China has displaced the United States from its traditional dominance as a major trading partner for most countries of the world.

Only the trade side but still telling. interactives.lowyinstitute.org/features/chi...

The case for carbon taxes in Southeast Asia With widespread support for carbon taxes, Southeast Asia has a unique opportunity to lead the charge in sustainable economic reform.

“there is widespread public support for introducing carbon taxes as a measure to limit emissions”

eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/22/t...

Trump’s Aid Freeze: What’s at Stake? It won’t break the #Pacific, but it will cause disruptions. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar & Cambodia face the biggest hit, with threats to governance & health programs.
Australia, Japan & the EU will need to step up
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Here's what current Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to say about USAID in the past.

New article on the downstreaming dilemma in #Indonesia nickel. Concentrated growth is not delivering for local development. We propose some solutions to ensuring nickel downstreaming delivers for more Indonesians

www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

#renewables #criticalminerals