In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank looks at a pivotal 24 hours in South Korea that captured the world’s attention: the Trump–Xi handshake in Busan and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sharing fried chicken with Samsung and Hyundai bosses.

Joining Manisha are two expert voices — Curtis Chin, former US Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank, and Sam Olsen, geopolitical strategist and author of States of Play — to explore the state of US-China relations, and what these photo ops actually mean for Asia, the global chip race and the future world order.

Featured Voices

Host:

• Manisha Tank

Guests:

• Curtis S. Chin, Chair, Senior Fellows; Senior Advisor, Global Markets, Milken Institute • Sam Olsen, Geopolitical strategist, Chief Analyst at Sibylline

Key takeaways

Despite shifting policies and unpredictability, the fact that a US President physically showed up in the region carries huge symbolic weight.

Most ASEAN nations want to avoid choosing sides between the US and China.

The outcome of the “fourth industrial revolution” and the AI race will heavily influence regional alliances.

If Taiwan continues to sit at the heart of advanced chipmaking, it could become an even more critical strategic target.

While the West talks tariffs, local businesses in countries like Thailand and Vietnam fear being flooded by low-cost Chinese products.

Super typhoons in the Philippines and worsening disasters across Asia remind leaders that existential climate threats may ultimately force collaboration that geopolitical rivalries cannot.

AI-driven advances in nuclear fusion, modular reactors and climate tech could offer a realistic pathway to abundant clean energy — but only if benefits are shared across geopolitical blocs.

Chapter heads

00:06 - Setting the Scene: Two Photo Ops, One Global Story

2:24 - Trump in Asia: Why Showing Up Still Matters

7:30 - US/Japan & US/Korea: Renewed Alliances on Display

9:40 - Where does the US/ China Geopolitical Relationship Stand Now?

11:40 - Nvidia, Blackwell Chips and China’s Tech Catch-Up

14:00 - Economic Fallout: Tariffs, Flooded Markets & Southeast Asian Anxiety

19:00 - Geopolitical ‘Great Split’: Red vs. Blue Economies

21:43 - Climate Crises as a Geostrategic Equalizer

24:58 - AI, Energy Innovation & Reasons for Optimism

26:34 - Closing Thoughts

Don’t miss out

We’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email:

tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com

And don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia.

Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.