February 12, 2025 — For years, news on global trade mostly hid out in the pages of The Wall Street Journal or the Financial Times. Not anymore. Headlines and hot takes on trade and tariffs fly around everywhere, as the U.S. is threatening and hitting friend and foe with punitive tariffs. The rules-based system that has been governing global trade seems to be evaporating in front of our eyes.

What does that mean for consumers, companies, and governments in Europe and Asia? A Closer Look at Trade brings you insights from trade policy experts Deborah Elms, based in Singapore, and Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, who is in Brussels. They talk to Remko Tanis, managing editor at Asia Society Switzerland. (44 min., 9 sec.)