Bert Hofman
@berthofmanecon.bsky.social
Non-resident senior fellow at the East Asian Institute, senior fellow at MERICS and Asia Society Policy Institute. Focus on China, Indonesia, development finance. Life in the Big Durian.
I had an excellent exchange with Lizzi Lee and Gerard DiPippo on how (if at all) to raise China’s consumption. Thanks to @AsiaSociety Center for China Analysis for organizing.
Why China’s Rebalancing is so Hard: Tensions, Tradeoffs, and Policy Choices youtu.be/WsrItzYK_FQ
Why China’s Rebalancing is so Hard: Tensions, Tradeoffs, and Policy Choices youtu.be/WsrItzYK_FQ
Why China’s Rebalancing is so Hard: Tensions, Tradeoffs, and Policy Choices
YouTube video by Asia Society
youtu.be
February 2, 2026 at 10:55 AM
I had an excellent exchange with Lizzi Lee and Gerard DiPippo on how (if at all) to raise China’s consumption. Thanks to @AsiaSociety Center for China Analysis for organizing.
Why China’s Rebalancing is so Hard: Tensions, Tradeoffs, and Policy Choices youtu.be/WsrItzYK_FQ
Why China’s Rebalancing is so Hard: Tensions, Tradeoffs, and Policy Choices youtu.be/WsrItzYK_FQ
January 24, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Bert Hofman
China’s investments in Southeast Asia are rising as U.S. tariffs reshape regional trade. As the ASEAN Summit approaches, what do these dynamics mean for the future of China-ASEAN ties? On Oct 27, join Gita Wirjawan, @berthofmanecon.bsky.social , Brian Wong & Kevin Zongzhe Li for an expert discussion
China–ASEAN at a Crossroads: Navigating Regional Futures in an Era of Great Power Competition
Join CCA for a webinar with former Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan and CCA fellows Bert Hofman and Brian Wong to discuss the future of China–ASEAN relations.
asiasociety.org
October 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
China’s investments in Southeast Asia are rising as U.S. tariffs reshape regional trade. As the ASEAN Summit approaches, what do these dynamics mean for the future of China-ASEAN ties? On Oct 27, join Gita Wirjawan, @berthofmanecon.bsky.social , Brian Wong & Kevin Zongzhe Li for an expert discussion
Upcoming invasion of Greenland? 😀
The SecDef wants all service commanders and their senior enlisted advisors to come to Quantico on short notice. It’s difficult to understand why.
My latest in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/hegseth-qu...
My latest in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/hegseth-qu...
As Our Generals and Admirals Fly Home, Our Adversaries Watch and Wait
Couldn’t Hegseth’s in-person meeting of all flag officers have been a secure conference call?
www.thebulwark.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Upcoming invasion of Greenland? 😀
September 2, 2025 at 2:54 AM
“Thank you for your coordination”
After a day of intense diplomacy in Washington, the US president said America would help arrange European security guarantees for Ukraine if peace could be agreed with Russia, but stopped short of a full-throated commitment of military support for Kyiv on.ft.com/47xAQCg
August 19, 2025 at 2:46 AM
“Thank you for your coordination”
Opinion | Give Trump a Nobel! And an Emmy. And an Oscar …
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Reposted by Bert Hofman
BIG NEWS: My book, The Land Trap, is coming out on Nov 4! I've been fascinated by this topic for years. The book tells the story of why land still occupies such a huge role in finance, economics and politics globally, and why that's a source of huge risk. You can preorder NOW!
August 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
BIG NEWS: My book, The Land Trap, is coming out on Nov 4! I've been fascinated by this topic for years. The book tells the story of why land still occupies such a huge role in finance, economics and politics globally, and why that's a source of huge risk. You can preorder NOW!
I gave a talk last month on the internationalization of the Renminbi. The YouTube video is now up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFgL...
EAI Seminar by Prof Bert Hofman - Internationalisation of the Renminbi: Status and Prospects
YouTube video by East Asian Institute - NUS
www.youtube.com
August 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I gave a talk last month on the internationalization of the Renminbi. The YouTube video is now up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFgL...
Happy Fourth of July to all my American Friends wherever you are. It has been a while since I lived in the “beautiful country” but still cherish your generosity, hospitality and friendship towards a foreigner like myself. I consider those traits to be the true American spirit to celebrate today.
July 4, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Happy Fourth of July to all my American Friends wherever you are. It has been a while since I lived in the “beautiful country” but still cherish your generosity, hospitality and friendship towards a foreigner like myself. I consider those traits to be the true American spirit to celebrate today.
“The Chinese simply can’t believe their luck: that at the dawn of the electricity-guzzling era of artificial intelligence, the U.S. president and his party have decided to engage in one of the greatest acts of strategic self-harm imaginable”
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/o...
Opinion | How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again
www.nytimes.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:12 PM
“The Chinese simply can’t believe their luck: that at the dawn of the electricity-guzzling era of artificial intelligence, the U.S. president and his party have decided to engage in one of the greatest acts of strategic self-harm imaginable”
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/o...
I do like next week’s NATO Summit dress code.
June 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I do like next week’s NATO Summit dress code.
Excellent analysis from Finbarr Bermingham with some words from yours truly.
Overcapacity: the economic buzzword fuelling Europe’s clash with China
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Explore our updated app & enjoy a 7-day free trial. New users only. Download now:
scmp.onelink.me/3586748601/d...
Overcapacity: the economic buzzword fuelling Europe’s clash with China
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Explore our updated app & enjoy a 7-day free trial. New users only. Download now:
scmp.onelink.me/3586748601/d...
Overcapacity: the economic buzzword fuelling Europe’s clash with China
Some EU officials believe Beijing is trying to distract from what they consider to be serious problems by poking holes in the terminology.
www.scmp.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Excellent analysis from Finbarr Bermingham with some words from yours truly.
Overcapacity: the economic buzzword fuelling Europe’s clash with China
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Explore our updated app & enjoy a 7-day free trial. New users only. Download now:
scmp.onelink.me/3586748601/d...
Overcapacity: the economic buzzword fuelling Europe’s clash with China
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Explore our updated app & enjoy a 7-day free trial. New users only. Download now:
scmp.onelink.me/3586748601/d...
Never thought I would sort of miss him too!
www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/art...
www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/art...
Why we (sort of) miss Bob Lighthizer | Article | Hinrich Foundation
Measured against the US’ impetuous approach to trade policy today, the rather more predictable aggression of Robert Lighthizer now seems almost reassuring.
www.hinrichfoundation.com
June 17, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Never thought I would sort of miss him too!
www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/art...
www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/art...
Reposted by Bert Hofman
Why is Trump not even trying to hide the corruption?
Attempt to explain why he has reached a new cruising altitude of kleptocracy -- perhaps way above Putin, Orbán, etc. -- here:
Attempt to explain why he has reached a new cruising altitude of kleptocracy -- perhaps way above Putin, Orbán, etc. -- here:
Trump’s Corruption Is in a League of Its Own | by Jan-Werner Mueller - Project Syndicate
Jan-Werner Mueller considers what the Qatari jet scandal reveals about the new administration and its priorities.
www.project-syndicate.org
June 2, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Why is Trump not even trying to hide the corruption?
Attempt to explain why he has reached a new cruising altitude of kleptocracy -- perhaps way above Putin, Orbán, etc. -- here:
Attempt to explain why he has reached a new cruising altitude of kleptocracy -- perhaps way above Putin, Orbán, etc. -- here:
I recently gave a presentation in Shanghai to a group on private investors in China. You can find the slides here: tinyurl.com/596aywcu
May 29, 2025 at 4:29 AM
I recently gave a presentation in Shanghai to a group on private investors in China. You can find the slides here: tinyurl.com/596aywcu
Reposted by Bert Hofman
For example: Many if not most students applying to US schools from China will be members of the Communist Youth League. Often they aren’t given a choice—it’s either join or have no chance of going to a good high school.
“There are some 99 million Communist Party members in China, so depending on how they enforce this, it could catch up probably every Chinese student interested in coming to the US who could have some Communist Party connection within their background.” www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Marco Rubio: US to ‘aggressively’ revoke visas of Chinese students
The announcement didn’t specify how many would lose the ability to study in the country.
www.politico.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:59 AM
For example: Many if not most students applying to US schools from China will be members of the Communist Youth League. Often they aren’t given a choice—it’s either join or have no chance of going to a good high school.
15 Scaramucci’s = 1 Elon.
May 29, 2025 at 1:56 AM
15 Scaramucci’s = 1 Elon.
Reposted by Bert Hofman
"Inherently connected: donkeys, gender equality and the trade that threatens them both"
- next month in Cõte d'Ivoire the 2nd Pan African Donkey Conference convenes to evaluate how the African Union moratorium on the donkey skin trade is being implemented.
www.bond.org.uk/news/2025/05...
- next month in Cõte d'Ivoire the 2nd Pan African Donkey Conference convenes to evaluate how the African Union moratorium on the donkey skin trade is being implemented.
www.bond.org.uk/news/2025/05...
Inherently connected: donkeys, gender equality and the trade that threatens them both | Bond
The global trade in donkey skins poses an undeniable threat to animal welfare, but its detrimental impact can also be seen in the lives of those who depend on their working animals.
www.bond.org.uk
May 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
"Inherently connected: donkeys, gender equality and the trade that threatens them both"
- next month in Cõte d'Ivoire the 2nd Pan African Donkey Conference convenes to evaluate how the African Union moratorium on the donkey skin trade is being implemented.
www.bond.org.uk/news/2025/05...
- next month in Cõte d'Ivoire the 2nd Pan African Donkey Conference convenes to evaluate how the African Union moratorium on the donkey skin trade is being implemented.
www.bond.org.uk/news/2025/05...
Reposted by Bert Hofman
Trump: I believe Russia wants peace
Russia:
Russia:
May 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Trump: I believe Russia wants peace
Russia:
Russia:
I want Trump to build towers in America, not India www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate/...
www.hindustantimes.com
May 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I want Trump to build towers in America, not India www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate/...