WASHINGTON – In this episode, Thomas Fraser talks with Marc Mealy about the Trump Administration’s recently announced tariffs for countries in Southeast Asia.  Mealy observes that reciprocal and sectoral tariffs will impact different industries and countries in Southeast Asia in very different ways.  Additionally, rules of origin and transshipment rules will create new supply chain complexities.  Mealy discusses the business opportunities and the challenges the Trump Administration’s tariff policies create for companies doing business in this fast-growing part of the world.

Mealy is Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the US-ASEAN Business Council.

To learn more about the US-ASEAN Business Council, please go to www.usasean.org.

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved. 

WASHINGTON – In this episode, Thomas Fraser talks with Ed Gresser about the Trump Administration’s approach to making tariff policy. Gresser observes that trade negotiations and tariff policy have been a highly collaborative process involving the White House, Congress and multiple federal agencies.  Trade agreements have typically taken years to negotiate and implement.  Now, the Trump Administration is much more deal focused, seeking quick results.  Gresser discusses the types of trade deals being negotiated and what might come next.

Gresser is Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute. During the first Trump Administration, Gresser served as a senior official at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.

To learn more about the Progressive Policy Institute, please go to www.progressivepolicy.org.

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved. 

WASHINGTON – In Episode #36 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with John Goyer about the surprisingly large amount of business U.S. companies do in Southeast Asia.  The economies of Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia have been growing quickly in recent years.  With this rapid economic growth has come an increasing demand for sophisticated U.S. good and services.  In 2022, U.S. companies had sales of $960 billion in Southeast Asia.

In this episode, Goyer, the Executive Director for Southeast Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, takes a deep dive into the data describing U.S. business investment and sales in the 10 countries of Southeast Asia and explains their significance.

“The numbers are absolutely huge,” he says.

To learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, please go to www.uschamber.com.

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

WASHINGTON – In Episode #36 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with John Goyer about the surprisingly large amount of business U.S. companies do in Southeast Asia.  The economies of Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia have been growing quickly in recent years.  With this rapid economic growth has come an increasing demand for sophisticated U.S. good and services.  In 2022, U.S. companies had sales of $960 billion in Southeast Asia.

In this episode, Goyer, the Executive Director for Southeast Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, takes a deep dive into the data describing U.S. business investment and sales in the 10 countries of Southeast Asia and explains their significance.  “The numbers are absolutely huge,” he says.

To learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, please go to www.uschamber.com.

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

NEW YORK – In Episode #35 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Gita Wirjawan about Indonesia’s changing place in the world.  The economy of Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has been growing quickly in recent years.  Rapid economic growth has been accompanied by a more influential presence on the global stage.  Wirjawan, a successful business leader, educator and Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia (2011-2014), has a unique perspective on Indonesia’s growth and development.

Indonesia recently hosted the Group of 20 Summit of world leaders in Bali.  This was the first time Indonesia has hosted the summit.  Hosting the G20 Summit “represents putting Indonesia on the global stage unlike any other multi-lateral event,” Wirjawan says.

Wirjawan is also the host of an interview show about Indonesia, Southeast Asia and global issues.  “What’s Your Endgame?” is available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.  This podcast is the eleventh episode in an ongoing series exploring economic development, investment, tourism and culture in Southeast Asia.

To learn more about Tom Fraser's work focusing on Southeast Asia, please go to www.tlfraser.com/about.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

NEW YORK – In Episode #35 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Gita Wirjawan about Indonesia’s changing place in the world.  The economy of Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has been growing quickly in recent years.  Rapid economic growth has been accompanied by a more influential presence on the global stage.  Wirjawan, a successful business leader, educator and Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia (2011-2014), has a unique perspective on Indonesia’s growth and development.

Indonesia recently hosted the Group of 20 Summit of world leaders in Bali.  This was the first time Indonesia has hosted the summit.  Hosting the G20 Summit “represents putting Indonesia on the global stage unlike any other multi-lateral event,” Wirjawan says.

Wirjawan is also the host of an interview show about Indonesia, Southeast Asia and global issues.  “What’s Your Endgame?” is available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.  This podcast is the eleventh episode in an ongoing series exploring economic development, investment, tourism and culture in Southeast Asia.

To learn more about Tom Fraser's work focusing on Southeast Asia, please go to www.tlfraser.com/about.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

WASHINGTON – In Episode #34 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Ted Osius about diplomacy, the history of America’s reconciliation with Vietnam and business opportunities in Southeast Asia.  Osius is President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council and, previously, US Ambassador to Vietnam.  Osius is also the author of the excellent new book “Nothing Is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam.”

In Part 1 of this episode, Osius discusses the remarkable transformation that has taken place in the US-Vietnam relationship. Thirty years after a brutal war, the United States and Vietnam enjoy fundamentally improved political, diplomatic and trade relations.  Successful diplomacy is about investing in relationships and building trust, Osius says.

In Part 2, Osius describes business opportunities in the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries and how the US-ASEAN Business Council works with US companies to help them succeed in Southeast Asia.  With a projected annual growth rate of more than 5.5% per year, ASEAN is forecast to become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2030.

“Nothing Is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam” is published by Rutgers University Press.

To learn more about the US-ASEAN Business Council, please go to www.usasean.org.  

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.  This podcast is part of an ongoing series exploring economic development and investment in Southeast Asia.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

WASHINGTON – In Episode #34 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Ted Osius about diplomacy, the history of America’s reconciliation with Vietnam and business opportunities in Southeast Asia.  Osius is President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council and, previously, US Ambassador to Vietnam.  Osius is also the author of the excellent new book “Nothing Is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam.”

In Part 1 of this episode, Osius discusses the remarkable transformation that has taken place in the US-Vietnam relationship. Thirty years after a brutal war, the United States and Vietnam enjoy fundamentally improved political, diplomatic and trade relations.  Successful diplomacy is about investing in relationships and building trust, Osius says.

In Part 2, Osius describes business opportunities in the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries and how the US-ASEAN Business Council works with US companies to help them succeed in Southeast Asia.  With a projected annual growth rate of more than 5.5% per year, ASEAN is forecast to become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2030.

“Nothing Is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam” is published by Rutgers University Press.

To learn more about the US-ASEAN Business Council, please go to www.usasean.org.  

To learn more about The Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.  This podcast is part of an ongoing series exploring economic development and investment in Southeast Asia.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

NEW YORK – In Episode #33 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of Singapore’s Economic Development Board, about business opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia.  With a population of 700 million and a rapidly growing, increasingly digital middle class, Southeast Asia is on track to become the fourth largest market in the world by 2030.  The business opportunities are significant.

In Part 1 of this episode, Poh describes the growth of Southeast Asia as a consumer market and manufacturing center and how Singapore’s EDB works with companies to help them navigate business opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia.  “Southeast Asia is one of the world’s last growth frontiers,” she says.

In Part 2, Poh describes how the EDB works with a variety of businesses, including technology firms, venture capital firms, professional services firms and family offices, to develop markets, find talent and innovate.  She also discusses how the EDB is working with companies in the growing area of corporate venturing.

To learn more about Singapore’s Economic Development Board, please go to www.edb.gov.sg.  

To learn more about the Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.  This podcast is the ninth episode in an ongoing series exploring economic development, investment, tourism and culture in Singapore.

To learn more about Tom Fraser's work focusing on Southeast Asia, please go to www.tlfraser.com/about.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

NEW YORK – In Episode #33 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of Singapore’s Economic Development Board, about business opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia.  With a population of 700 million and a rapidly growing, increasingly digital middle class, Southeast Asia is on track to become the fourth largest market in the world by 2030.  The business opportunities are significant.

In Part 1 of this episode, Poh describes the growth of Southeast Asia as a consumer market and manufacturing center and how Singapore’s EDB works with companies to help them navigate business opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia.  “Southeast Asia is one of the world’s last growth frontiers,” she says.

In Part 2, Poh describes how the EDB works with a variety of businesses, including technology firms, venture capital firms, professional services firms and family offices, to develop markets, find talent and innovate.  She also discusses how the EDB is working with companies in the growing area of corporate venturing.

To learn more about Singapore’s Economic Development Board, please go to www.edb.gov.sg.  

To learn more about the Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.  This podcast is the ninth episode in an ongoing series exploring economic development, investment, tourism and culture in Singapore.

To learn more about Tom Fraser's work focusing on Southeast Asia, please go to www.tlfraser.com/about.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.

MONTREAL -- In Episode #32 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Anne Charpentier, the Director of the Montreal Botanical Garden, about the botanical garden's efforts to lead an ecological transition and adapt to climate change in Montreal.  Like many cities around the world, Montreal has been affected by climate change.  Heat waves, higher temperatures and black ice storms are more frequent.  The goal of the Montreal Botanical Garden is to be an example of successful climate adaptation for Montreal and for Canada.

"We have to be an inspiration and an example," she says.

The Montreal Botanical Garden is planning a plant succession strategy for its exterior garden collections to adapt to climate change.  The Montreal Botanical Garden is also taking steps to dramatically reduce its greenhouses' greenhouse gas emissions and water use.  The botanical garden's greenhouses, which were built in the 1950's with gas heating systems, have been identified as one of Montreal's major sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

The City of Montreal recently announced ambitious new plans to guide Montreal's post-pandemic recovery and to bolster the city's economic, social and ecological resilience.  Charpentier describes the key points of "Montreal 2030," the citywide 10-year strategic plan.

The Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the 10 most important botanical gardens in the world.  Hosting 900,000 visitors annually and organizing a wide variety of scientific, research, conservation and educational initiatives, the Montreal Botanical Garden is an incredibly busy place.  The botanical garden also plays an important role in tourism and in the economy of Montreal.

To learn more about the Tom Fraser Podcast and to listen to additional episodes, please go to www.tlfraser.com/podcasts.  This is the sixth episode in an ongoing series on the global renaissance in public park building and how cities are adapting to climate change.

The information provided in this podcast does not constitute the provision of legal, tax or investment advice.  This information is provided for general informational purposes only.

Copyright 2015-2025 Thomas L. Fraser.  All Rights Reserved.