A number of trade deals have been signed over the weekend between the US and Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. China has also indicated willingness to work with ASEAN for China on the success of a 3.0 FTA. For more insights on these trade deals, we speak to Julia Goh, Senior Economist, UOB.



Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

A number of trade deals have been signed over the weekend between the US and Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. China has also indicated willingness to work with ASEAN for China on the success of a 3.0 FTA. For more insights on these trade deals, we speak to Julia Goh, Senior&nbsp;Economist,&nbsp;UOB.Image Credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a>

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Opinion and analysis of today&rsquo;s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Morning Brief

US-Malaysia Trade Deal: Too Soon To Gauge Impact

Indonesia’s economy grew by more than 5% in the first half of 2026, but strong headline growth has yet to convince financial markets. Capital outflows, a weakening rupiah and concerns over President Prabowo’s expansionary fiscal policies have forced Bank Indonesia into aggressive rate hikes, while higher fuel costs and the threat of El Niño add further pressure. Can Southeast Asia’s largest economy maintain its growth momentum while repairing investor confidence and keeping its fiscal ambitions in check?



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Indonesia’s economy grew by more than 5% in the first half of 2026, but strong headline growth has yet to convince financial markets. Capital outflows, a weakening rupiah and concerns over President Prabowo’s expansionary fiscal policies have forced Bank Indonesia into aggressive rate hikes, while higher fuel costs and the threat of El Niño add further pressure. Can Southeast Asia’s largest economy maintain its growth momentum while repairing investor confidence and keeping its fiscal ambitions in check?Image Credit: Shutterstock

Can Indonesia Restore Investor Confidence?

The US-Iran conflict has entered a more dangerous phase, with attacks widening across the region, oil prices surging past US$105 a barrel and uncertainty growing over the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, sanctions, fuel rationing and shortages are adding to economic pressure, while the IAEA’s decision to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council raises the stakes over its nuclear programme. With President Trump suggesting the war could continue until after the US midterm elections, what is Iran’s strategy now, and is there still a path towards de-escalation?

Image Credit: Shutterstock

The US-Iran conflict has entered a more dangerous phase, with attacks widening across the region, oil prices surging past US$105 a barrel and uncertainty growing over the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, sanctions, fuel rationing and shortages are adding to economic pressure, while the IAEA’s decision to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council raises the stakes over its nuclear programme. With President Trump suggesting the war could continue until after the US midterm elections, what is Iran’s strategy now, and is there still a path towards de-escalation? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Can the US-Iran War Be Contained?

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, but its arrival comes with an eye-watering RM9,499 starting price and a broader shift upwards in iPhone pricing. With no base-model iPhone 18 and the previous generation remaining at RM4,299, Apple appears to be testing just how much consumers will pay for a premium smartphone. Has Apple delivered enough innovation to justify the higher prices, and could its strategy give Samsung, Google, Huawei and Xiaomi cover to raise their prices too?

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, but its arrival comes with an eye-watering RM9,499 starting price and a broader shift upwards in iPhone pricing. With no base-model iPhone 18 and the previous generation remaining at RM4,299, Apple appears to be testing just how much consumers will pay for a premium smartphone. Has Apple delivered enough innovation to justify the higher prices, and could its strategy give Samsung, Google, Huawei and Xiaomi cover to raise their prices too? Image Credit: Shutterstock

US-Malaysia Trade Deal: Too Soon To Gauge Impact

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