Prof Kishore Mahbubani : The Surprising Twists and Turns in the US-China Relationship

The podcast explores the multifaceted US-China rivalry, emphasizing that it's driven by geopolitical forces rather than personalities, with the US aiming to curb China's rise due to an iron law where the dominant power suppresses emerging ones. Kishore highlights China's unexpected counter-strike involving rare earth elements, which exposed US vulnerabilities, leading to a temporary truce. Looking ahead, he advises focusing on tariffs, technology, and Taiwan as key areas of contention. The discussion also touches on whether China should be more assertive in international affairs, China's growing influence, and the importance of ASEAN for Singapore's strategic autonomy.