Asian Insider: Australia’s critical minerals plan could sidestep China | Mumbai’s slum-dwellers get shunted to a landfill

Plus: No fees, no fines – Welcome to this Manila street library | If this e-mail is not displayed properly, click here. THURSDAY, MAY 01 2025 Asian Insider brings you insights into a fast-changing region from our network of correspondents and commentators. Lim Ai Leen Associate Foreign Editor Dear ST reader, We hope you've been keeping well. We've just passed the 100 day-mark of US President Donald Trump's administration, but one can be forgiven for thinking it's been 1,000 days. In this span of time, Mr Trump has brought the global economy to the brink and shaken the very roots of American innovation, writes our US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar. Meanwhile, many nations, including in Asia, are coming to view the US as an unpredictable superpower. This may push more leaders to deepen ties with other partners in the region, including China. Mr Trump's efforts, and tariffs, are aimed at making America great again. But much more is needed to bring manufacturing home, says our former associate editor Vikram Khanna, listing factors like cheap capital, vocational training and hard infrastructure. Also read senior columnist Tan Dawn Wei's commentary on how the "de minimis" war will play out come May 2, when tax exemptions for shipments from China to the US valued below US$800 will be axed. Finally, immerse yourself in the heartening story of Mang Nanie's street library in Manila, where there are no fees or fines. Just 6,000 books, waiting to be borrowed. Australia plans critical minerals reserve to reduce global reliance on China Reserve could be a bargaining chip in tariff talks with US. More on China relations: Manila accuses Beijing of sinister campaign What first-mover advantage? Japan walks a tightrope in US trade talks Japan is prepared to make concessions, but it also faces pressures from a ravaged global order. More on tariffs: The de minimis showdown: How much tariff pain can one bear? Renewed India-Pakistan tensions split families, spoil reunions Kashmir attack has further crippled people-to-people ties and aggravated bilateral antipathy. Read more: Fresh hostilities feared after Kashmir attack 'Xie xie' gaffe haunts campaign of South Korean presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung is known for his strength in domestic politics but appears weak in foreign policy. Read more on politics: Indonesia could be powered by two suns Is Mumbai rehousing its slum-dwellers in a toxic landfill? Around 240ha of Dharavi, Asia's biggest slum, is set to be redeveloped into a modern township. More on environmental issues: World's coral reefs hit by worst bleaching Grandad's 'no-rules' library gets Filipino kids reading I don't wait for books to be returned, says Hernando Guanlao. Read more on lifestyle: Between an ocean teeming with marine life and a well-tended pond Sign up for more newsletters here. To manage your newsletters, click here.