Abstract

In 2025, three forces reshaped the global economy: Trump’s tariff war, the AI revolution, and China’s green technology dominance. We focused on the headline-grabbing one—but the quiet ones mattered more. This lecture argues that markets proved bigger than Trump; his tariffs were gamed, hedged, and neutralized. But no one is bigger than technology. AI and green tech are systemic transformations that will define winners and losers for decades.

What does this mean for ASEAN? Professor Khor examines how the region can navigate great power rivalry and technological disruption through three strategic pathways: developing downstream AI applications (following the Grab model), turning China’s green dominance into FDI opportunities (following Indonesia’s EV and nickel success), and leveraging regional integration to amplify collective strengths. The challenges are significant, but pathways exist—ASEAN has agency, proven models, and strategies worth pursuing.

About the Speaker

Khor Hoe Ee has been appointed as NTUC Professor of International Economic Relations from 10 November 2025 to 20 February 2026.

Dr Khor holds a PhD in Economics from Princeton University (1982) and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Mathematics from the University of Rochester (1977).

Dr Khor began his career as an economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1981, where he worked on a broad range of economies within the Western Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific departments. From 1991 to 1993, he served as IMF’s Deputy Resident Representative in China. In 1996, he joined the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), where he held the position of Assistant Managing Director from 2001 to 2009, overseeing economic research, monetary policy, macro-financial surveillance, and international relations. He was Head of Economic Development and Chief Economist at the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED) from 2009 to 2010 . In 2011, he rejoined the IMF and was Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Dept from 2012 to 2016. In 2016, Dr Khor became the Chief Economist at AMRO (ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office), where he remained until May 2025, and was responsible for country and regional surveillance, as well as related research activities for the ASEAN+3 economies.