Asia Pacific
US ties will be major near-term priority for Vietnam
Hanoi and Washington agreed to launch talks on a trade deal
VietnamKey South and South-east Asian group will strengthen
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation held its latest summit last week
South AsiaFaster energy demand growth tests transition progress
Energy demand growth is strongest where the energy transition is weakest, limiting climate change adaptation
InternationalIndian rate cut shows focus on shoring up growth
The central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for the second time in two months
IndiaNew Zealand’s central bank will cut rates further
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand today cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.50%
New ZealandSeoul and Tokyo will push for US tariff cuts
Seoul has said it will not unite with Tokyo and Beijing against US tariffs
JapanSouth-east Asia will try to negotiate US tariffs down
The region’s countries are among the hardest hit by US President Donald Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs
South-east AsiaBoth of Australia’s main parties will lose ground
Labor and the opposition coalition are losing ground to smaller parties and independents ahead of the May 3 election
Australia
