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Bert Hofman

@berthofmanecon.bsky.social
816 followers 186 following 265 posts

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.

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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The Dutch government has objected to a proposed US law that would further restrict semiconductor equipment giant ASML from selling to China and servicing customers in the country
scmp.com
Netherlands opposes US proposal to further bar chip giant ASML from China market
While the chipmaking-gear giant is already banned from selling advanced kit to China, new rule would make low-end products off-limits too.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
I wrote about the tone in Chinese media on summits past and expected open.substack.com/pub/berthofm...
open.substack.com
What to expect when you are expecting a summit
An Assessment of Xi-Trump Meetings in Chinese Media, 2017-2026
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Bruegel @bruegel.org · 14/03/2026
🎙️First assessment of China's 15th Five-Year Plan 📕 Can Beijing's new economic blueprint deliver in an era of deflation, demographic decline, and technology warfare? @aligarciaherrero.bsky.social in conversation with @berthofmanecon.bsky.social and @yuyunzhan.bsky.social 👂️Listen: buff.ly/Y5P3WPD
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Great to talk with Asia Decooded’s Priyanka Kishore and Artha Global’s Niranjan Rajadhyaksha on India’s rise. According to the OECD, India will be the largest economy in the world by the 2060s. We discuss how likely this will be. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLh...
youtube.com
Is India's rise inevitable?
YouTube video by Asia Decoded
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Now let’s ask this guy who drew a birthday card for Epstein.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
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
youtu.be
Why China’s Rebalancing is so Hard: Tensions, Tradeoffs, and Policy Choices
YouTube video by Asia Society
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
open.substack.com/pub/berthofm...
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) @asiapolicy.asiasociety.org · 21/10/2025
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
asiasociety.org
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.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Upcoming invasion of Greenland? 😀
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Why would China wat to do that? It is entirely normal to rebate VAT on goods for export (despite the obvious ignorance that the Trump administration has displayed on this).
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
substackcdn.com/image/fetch/...
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
“Thank you for your coordination”
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
I am listening…. Give Trump a Nobel! And an Emmy. And an Oscar … www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Give Trump a Nobel! And an Emmy. And an Oscar …
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
I think Parveen and Ron Vera are coordinating on this.
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Mike Bird @birdyword.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
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!
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
I gave a talk last month on the internationalization of the Renminbi. The YouTube video is now up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFgL...
youtube.com
EAI Seminar by Prof Bert Hofman - Internationalisation of the Renminbi: Status and Prospects
YouTube video by East Asian Institute - NUS
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
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.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
“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...
nytimes.com
Opinion | How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
I do like next week’s NATO Summit dress code.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
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...
scmp.com
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.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Never thought I would sort of miss him too! www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/art...
hinrichfoundation.com
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.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com
This Is Not a Drill
American democracy is on the line right now
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
english.news.cn/20250605/d4d...
english.news.cn
Urgent: Xi, Trump hold phone talks
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Jan-Werner Mueller @jwmueller-pu.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
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:
project-syndicate.org
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.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
I recently gave a presentation in Shanghai to a group on private investors in China. You can find the slides here: tinyurl.com/596aywcu
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
15 Scaramucci’s = 1 Elon.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Add to thread: www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Trade Court Strikes Down Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs
Businesses and states had sued the government, saying the president didn’t have the authority to impose the levies.
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Lauren Johnston @drlaj.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
"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...
bond.org.uk
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.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Darth Putin @darthputinkgb.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Trump: I believe Russia wants peace Russia:
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
I want Trump to build towers in America, not India www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate/...
hindustantimes.com
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
I was on @cgtn.bsky.social with Liu Xin’s The Point to discuss the U.S.-China Truce, and what to expect at 90 days and beyond. www.cgtn.com/tv/replay?id...
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Best thing I've read joining the dots on Beijing's outreach to the world China’s diplomatic charm offensive - on.ft.com/44mon2P via @FT
on.ft.com
China’s diplomatic charm offensive
Leaders are touring the world both to push back against US influence and also to shore up its export markets as its trade surplus rises
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Wait, isn’t the problem the other way around? Too few countries want to go shopping in the U.S.?
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
To be fair he did not have his hand on the Bible so his oath to the constitution doesn’t really count.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
The Red Letter of Credit A Life in the Balance of Trade The Third Country Intermediary Man
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Made in China Journal @madeinchinajournal.com · 02/05/2025
A Facebook post unearthed a legend: the lost MingKwai typewriter, designed by Lin Yutang in 1947, resurfaced in a NY basement. Hailed as a marvel yet dismissed as a failure, its rediscovery revives debates over innovation, identity, and what it means to be Chinese, writes @yangyangcheng.bsky.social.
madeinchinajournal.com
Lost and Found: The Unexpected Journey of the MingKwai Typewriter | Made in China Journal
It began as an innocuous inquiry on Facebook. Nelson Felix, a resident of New York State, posted in the group ‘What’s My Typewriter Worth?’ about a curious find he made while clearing out the basement...
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Somebody did. on.ft.com/4jBEBtr Trump’s tariffs are a gift to the mafia
on.ft.com
Trump’s tariffs are a gift to the mafia
As smuggling becomes a lifeline, criminal organisations across the globe will benefit
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Here it is again I think open.substack.com/pub/pekingno...
open.substack.com
CHINA APPEARS READY FOR TRADE TALKS WITH U.S.
Govt-linked social media accounts in China post messages that appear to set the stage for tariff negotiations.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
x.com/zichenwanghe...
x.com
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
This is very significant. Pre-condition for getting talks going again. CAI2.0 anyone?
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Glad to see this up on YouTube so quickly (because everything can change at any time). Great discussion with Christoph Nedopil Wang, Dan Wang, james Laurenceson and yours truly Trump's tariffs and China's trade: What's next? youtu.be/BapuZUp9p0U?... via @YouTube
youtu.be
Trump's tariffs and China's trade: What's next?
YouTube video by Griffith Asia Institute
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Great opportunity for an experienced China-focused economist merics.org/en/jobs/dire...
merics.org
Director Economic Research / Chief Economist (m/f/d)
The institute is seeking to appoint a Director Economic Research or Chief Economist (m/f/d) as soon as possible. In this role, you will direct economic research at MERICS and supervise the work of the...
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Kun je ook instructies geven hoe de lijst te zien te krijgen? Ja ik weet het—te oud voor deze dingen.
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Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Great opportunity at MERICS. A strong program and an excellent team. And you get to live in Berlin! merics.org/en/jobs/dire...
merics.org
Director Economic Research / Chief Economist (m/f/d)
The institute is seeking to appoint a Director Economic Research or Chief Economist (m/f/d) as soon as possible. In this role, you will direct economic research at MERICS and supervise the work of the...
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Reposted by Bert Hofman
Patrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Hmm.
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