A Chinese businessman persuaded officials to establish a special economic zone in a remote part of Laos. The gamblers arrived first. Then came the drug runners, human traffickers and scammers.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg Businessweek editor Matt Campbell about his investigation into the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone and how it became a criminal’s paradise.

Read more: Dodge City

Watch, from Bloomberg Originals: How One Man Rules in Asia's Golden Triangle

A Chinese businessman persuaded officials to establish a special economic zone in a remote part of Laos. The gamblers arrived first. Then came the drug runners, human traffickers and scammers. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg Businessweek editor Matt Campbell about his investigation into the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone and how it became a criminal’s paradise.
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-golden-triangle-special-economic-zone/?srnd=phx-businessweek">Dodge City</a> Watch, from Bloomberg Originals: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO29RHhlS6g">How One Man Rules in Asia's Golden Triangle</a>

We’re taking The Big Take to Asia. Each week, Bloomberg’s Oanh Ha tells a story from the home of the world's most dynamic economies - and the markets, tycoons and businesses that drive the ever-shifting region.

We’re taking The Big Take to Asia. Each week, Bloomberg’s Oanh Ha tells a story from the home of the world's most dynamic economies - and the markets, tycoons and businesses that drive the ever-shifting region.

Big Take Asia

Inside Southeast Asia’s Most Notorious Crime Hub

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ce857bd7-bea1-45c4-ac72-b1d101773edc/transcript

Amid Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters, President Trump threatened to slap a 25% tariff on its trading partners, including China and India. This comes as both countries try to deescalate their own trade wars with the administration.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate about why the path to punishing Iran’s government runs through Asia – China and India in particular. 

Read more: Trump Risks Imploding China Trade Truce With Iran Tariff Vow

Amid Iran&rsquo;s brutal crackdown on protesters, President Trump threatened to slap a 25% tariff on its trading partners, including China and India. This comes as both countries try to deescalate their own trade wars with the administration.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg&rsquo;s Daniel Ten Kate about why the path to punishing Iran&rsquo;s government runs through Asia &ndash; China and India in particular.&nbsp;
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-13/trump-risks-upending-us-china-trade-truce-with-iran-tariff-vow">Trump Risks Imploding China Trade Truce With Iran Tariff Vow</a>

Punishing Iran Could Alienate China and India — Again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/250bdb47-24f3-46b1-8b3b-b3d101579ece/transcript

Since the start of his second term, President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs – especially on China, where most toys are made. 

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Rick Woldenberg, CEO of four‑generation toymaker Learning Resources, about his company’s battle against tariffs in stores and in court – and what it reveals about the true cost of America’s trade war.



Read more: Cutting Ties With China Is Harder Than Companies Expected 

Further listening: 

An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China
India Wanted to Become The World’s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened

Since the start of his second term, President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs &ndash; especially on China, where most toys are made.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Rick Woldenberg, CEO of four‑generation toymaker Learning Resources, about his company&rsquo;s battle against tariffs in stores and in court &ndash; and what it reveals about the true cost of America&rsquo;s trade war. 
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-11-18/learning-resources-move-to-vietnam-shows-china-s-dominance?srnd=undefined">Cutting Ties With China Is Harder Than Companies Expected</a>&nbsp;
Further listening:&nbsp;
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-american-toymaker-struggles-to-break-up-with-china/id1746141911?i=1000733927616">An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/india-wanted-to-become-the-worlds-toymaker-then/id1746141911?i=1000740482985">India Wanted to Become The World&rsquo;s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened </a>

Toymaker Battles Trump’s Tariffs in Stores and in Court

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3984d9ce-845e-4387-b385-b3bd00ff4b84/transcript

China’s dominance of rare earths has given Xi Jinping powerful leverage over Donald Trump ahead of their expected meeting next week. 

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate dig into how China is weaponizing rare earths and what the economic standoff means for a trade deal and the future of US-China relations.

Read more: Xi Is Never Giving Up His Newfound Leverage Over Trump

Further listening: Xi’s Bromance Diplomacy Is Challenging Trump’s World Order
The Rebel Army Behind One of the World’s Major Rare-Earth Supplies

China&rsquo;s dominance of rare earths has given Xi Jinping powerful leverage over Donald Trump ahead of their expected meeting next week.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg&rsquo;s Daniel Ten Kate dig into how China is weaponizing rare earths and what the economic standoff means for a trade deal and the future of US-China relations.
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-10-17/xi-uses-rare-earth-minerals-dominance-to-turn-us-playbook-on-trump">Xi Is Never Giving Up His Newfound Leverage Over Trump </a>Further listening: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xis-bromance-diplomacy-is-challenging-trumps-world-order/id1746141911?i=1000725776281">Xi&rsquo;s Bromance Diplomacy Is Challenging Trump&rsquo;s World Order </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rebel-army-behind-one-of-the-worlds-major/id1746141911?i=1000722707649">The Rebel Army Behind One of the World&rsquo;s Major Rare-Earth Supplies</a>

Xi’s Top Bargaining Chip Is a Trade War Game Changer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4304b4bd-c50c-4e6c-8f83-b37d016360b6/transcript

Inside Southeast Asia’s Most Notorious Crime Hub

In 1 playlist(s)

Big Take Asia

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips