As President Trump moves to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium exports, SMU Professor of Marketing Nirmalya Kumar provides insights into the potential impact of these measures on the US steel industry, noting that Canada is likely to be significantly affected. Concurrently, there is an ongoing debate among experts regarding whether a technological failure at a multinational corporation is more disruptive than a cyberattack on a small business.
SMU Assistant Professor Nina Sirola noted that high-profile layoffs in tech companies have caused job security concerns in Singapore, spreading anxiety across various sectors. Associate Professor Eugene Tan added that these fears may influence voters, prompting the Prime Minister to address the issue and allocate resources in Budget 2025. He pointed out the link between job security, immigration, foreign labour policies, and technological advancements.
SMU Associate Professor of Communication Management (Practice) Tamas Makany and another academic noted that AI content moderation on social media must include human oversight. Assoc Prof Makany emphasised that AI lacks empathy and understanding of parental concerns, so relying on social media companies to develop such capabilities is unrealistic.
SMU Associate Professor Hannah H. Chang noted that Chinese car brands are gaining market share in Singapore due to improved branding and marketing efforts, such as partnerships with Toyota and Mercedes-Benz, which boost global recognition and credibility. However, she anticipates competition will increase as other manufacturers expand their electric vehicle (EV) offerings. Japanese and German brands, with strong brand equity and favourable perception, can stay competitive by innovating in EV technology and maintaining reasonable pricing.
SMU Associate Professor of Finance Hu Jianfeng discussed the impact of the Deep Seek AI model, noting that it is unlikely to cause a significant disruption to the AI industry. He emphasised the importance of embracing technological advancements and keeping pace with changes. For investors, Assoc Prof Hu advised focusing on long-term goals rather than short-term challenges and stressed the importance of portfolio diversification to mitigate risks from sudden stock impacts.
In an interview, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan discussed the dangers regarding the use of e-bikes and the potential reasons behind the decline in retailer-related offences involving power-assisted bicycles, also known as e-bikes.
SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian commented that China’s decision to file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is a diplomatic move aimed at demonstrating Beijing’s commitment to upholding the international economic and trade system as well as global order. Assoc Prof Fu opined that US President Donald Trump’s recent move to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods is a tentative strategy of "crossing the river by feeling the stones," aimed at assessing whether this action will exacerbate inflation in the US.
Commenting on the Pop Mart toys craze, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah H. Chang said, “Pop Mart taps into human psychology brilliantly. The blind-box concept and limited editions create a sense of scarcity and surprise that fuels demand.” However, she also noted that people get used to novelty and surprise, and it is not easy for people to stay engaged. She added that the secondary market also undermines Pop Mart blind-box strategy as buyers can purchase the exact figure they want risk-free.
Commenting on China's shrinking Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian noted that the contraction of January’s manufacturing PMI was partly due to companies rushing to export goods before the end of last year, influenced by US President Donald Trump's tariff threats. He added that despite a record trade surplus, the decline in industrial profits highlights extremely weak domestic demand in China.
