Singapore Institute of International Affairs

SIIA Talk | U.S. Tariff Turbulence: Legal Uncertainty in Washington and What It Means for ASEAN Business
2026-06-23 17:30 - 19:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | SIIA, 60A Orchard Road, #04-03 (Level 4M), Tower 1, The Atrium @Orchard International Involvement Hub, Singapore, 238890
As Washington moves beyond the one-year anniversary of “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, U.S. tariff policy remains in flux. Legal challenges and court rulings have raised fundamental questions about the authority underpinning recent trade measures, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unconstitutional. U.S. importers are already pursuing refund claims against the federal government. In response, the Trump administration introduced a temporary 10 per cent tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows tariffs of up to 15 per cent for a maximum of 150 days without Congressional approval. That temporary authority is set to expire in late July, although President Trump has expressed support for increasing the rate to 15 per cent. Developments in Washington continue to create uncertainty over the sustainability and legal durability of these measures.

How is the current U.S trade policy turbulence reshaping business confidence in the direction and credibility of future trade relations?
What are the implications for ASEAN economies as trade policy and geopolitics become more intertwined?
What does it mean for the reliability of agreement with Washington if new U.S tariffs bypass existing trade arrangements?

Speakers:
Mr. Alex Feldman, Partner, The Asia Group
Ms. Elizabeth Chelliah, Principal Trade Consultant, CFOTI, Singapore Business Federation (SBF); former Principal Trade Specialist (PTS), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Republic of Singapore
Moderator: Mr. Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)
Programme

Registration Form
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Haze Outlook 2026: Media Briefing
2026-06-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Singapore
The Haze Outlook 2026 report provides a risk assessment of the probability of a transboundary haze incident affecting Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore for the year ahead. The report is the eighth edition of this assessment.
Our research includes quantitative information on weather factors, the impact of fires, and commodity prices. We also qualitatively consider government policies and private sector practices.
These assessments are based on the SIIA’s engagement with sustainability stakeholders in the region.

SIIA Talk | Beyond Energy: Asia’s Economic Vulnerabilities to the Strait of Hormuz Disruptions
2026-07-22 17:30 - 19:00 | SIIA, 60A Orchard Road, #04-03 (Level 4M), Tower 1, The Atrium @Orchard International Involvement Hub, Singapore, 238890
The disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have impacts both for the energy market and beyond. While oil and gas supply shocks remain the immediate concern, the wider effects are felt across shipping, transport, manufacturing, agriculture, and food supply chains. This talk will examine the broader long term economic implications of the crisis for Asia, regardless of whether the tensions ease. It will look beyond immediate energy supply concerns to consider the potential impact on trade, business costs, inflation, food prices, and longer-term economic resilience.

How might disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz reshape global and Asian energy market and Asia’s broader economic outlook?

Where are the biggest vulnerabilities for Asian economies if elevated risks persist?

What does this crisis reveal about the vulnerabilities and resilience of Asian economies?

Speakers:
– Ms. Tan Sue-Ern, Head, International Energy Agency Regional Cooperation Centre
– Ms. Denise Cheok, Head of Southeast Asia Economics, Moody’s Analytics
Moderator: Ms. Quah Ley Hoon, Group Chief Corporate Officer, CapitaLand Investment (CLI); and Council Member, Singapore Institute of International Affairs
Programme:

Registration Form
Thank you for your interest in our event. The registration has been closed. Should you have any queries, please reach out to events@siiaonline.org. Thank you.

[Closed-door] Dialogue with Dr. Mari Pangestu
2026-07-27 09:30 - 10:30 | Singapore
SIIA had the pleasure to invite Dr. Mari Pangestu, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation, and Vice Chair of the National Economic Council, to share her perspectives on ASEAN and the broader regional outlook, with a focus on Indonesia’s vantage point.

18th ASEAN & Asia Forum – Power, Rules & Competitiveness Amidst Turmoil & Transformation
2026-08-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Singapore
The continued fragmentation of the international rules-based order is fuelling turmoil and instability around the world. Geopolitical tensions and the actions of major powers are constantly reshaping the global economy. Most recently, the war in the Middle East and the resulting energy crisis have introduced a new layer of volatility for governments and businesses alike. This comes on top of the prolonged US-China rivalry and ongoing uncertainty over the Trump administration’s tariffs.
Amidst this turbulence, ASEAN and the broader Asian region find themselves caught in the middle, navigating sharper strategic pressures and tighter economic constraints within an increasingly fluid regional order. In this challenging landscape, ASEAN and Asia’s ability to sustain their competitive edge will depend increasingly on how effectively they exercise agency, carve out strategic space, and shape their own outcomes. Equally important will be their capacity to provide the stability and rules-based environment needed to sustain business confidence amidst continued disruption.
Under the theme “Power, Rules and Competitiveness amidst Turmoil and Transformation”, the 18th ASEAN & Asia Forum will bring together regional policymakers and business leaders to examine how geopolitical and economic uncertainty are reshaping competitiveness, investment environment, and strategic partnerships in ASEAN and Asia.
Programme
Please visit our website for more information on the programme and speakers lineup.
Registration Form
Please register for the event here.

[ELN Exclusive] Heat & Light with Prof. Erika Chen & Dr. Ming Tan
2026-08-20 17:45 - 19:30 | SIIA, 60A Orchard Road, #04-03 (Level 4M), Tower 1, The Atrium @Orchard International Involvement Hub, Singapore, 238890
In this instalment of our ELN-exclusive series, Heat & Light, we will discuss how AI is changing the way we work and live. By bringing together perspectives from the labour movement and AI practitioners, the session will explore the opportunities, trade-offs, and responsibilities of AI adoption, and what they mean for workers, businesses, and society.
Speakers:
– Prof. Erika Chen, Professor of Communication and Technology, Wee Kim Wee School of Communications and Information, Nanyang Technological University – Dr. Ming Tan, Founding Executive Director, Tech for Good Institute
This event is exclusive to ELN participants only.

[Closed Door] 3rd ASEAN Think Tanks Summit (ATTS)
2026-09-14 08:00 - 2026-09-15 17:00 | Singapore
The ASEAN Think Tanks Summit (ATTS) is an ASEAN-ISIS initiative, coordinated by the SIIA and supported by the ASEAN Secretariat. The ASEAN-ISIS network comprising one think tank from each ASEAN member state was founded in 1988 and is now a listed ASEAN accredited entity in Annex II of the ASEAN Charter.
The ATTS is a platform for prominent think tanks from ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Dialogue and Development Partners to come together to discuss the challenges faced by ASEAN and chart a forward-looking agenda for ASEAN’s development.
This year’s ATTS will take inspiration from the Philippine ASEAN Chair’s theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”. It will feature discussions on key issues with the aim of formulating actionable policy recommendations to ASEAN Member States’ leaders and the ASEAN Secretariat. These issues include Investing in Peace and Dialogue, Building Regional Energy Resilience, Mainstreaming Sustainability, Inclusive AI Adoption among SMEs, Treaty of Amity (TAC) and Cooperation and ASEAN Centrality, and Transnational Security Challenges.
