Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is heading to India for the first time, family in tow, with a meeting with Modi on the agenda. Trade talks are likely to figure prominently, particularly in the wake of recently announced U.S. tariffs.
Elsewhere, election seasons step up a notch, with early voting beginning in Australia and candidates from Singapore’s political parties submitting their nomination papers as the city-state’s campaign officially begins.
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MONDAY
JD Vance heads to India
The U.S. vice president begins a four-day visit to India, during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their discussions are likely to focus on a proposed bilateral trade pact and American “reciprocal” tariffs, among other issues of mutual interest. Accompanied by his wife Usha, the first Indian American and Hindu second lady of the United States, and their children, Vance will visit the tourist cities of Agra and Jaipur as well as the capital, New Delhi.
Lan appeals trial reaches conclusion
Judges in Vietnam will decide whether disgraced Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan will see a reduction in the life sentence she was given for defrauding bondholders. She received a death sentence in a separate case.
Annual U.S.-Philippine military exercises begin
TUESDAY
Start of early voting in Australia
Early voting begins in Australia’s federal election, ahead of the ballot on May 3. Polls leading up to the race had pointed to a potential minority government, where neither party achieves the 76 seats needed to govern, but the incumbent center-left Labor Party led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has gained momentum during the campaign, improving his chances of forming a government.
Tesla reports first quarter earnings
Investors will be looking for good news from the U.S. electric-vehicle maker after a rocky start to the year: Its shares have been plunging, its Cybertruck was hit with a mass recall and Chinese rival BYD has outsold it in electric cars for a second straight quarter, to name just a few challenges.
WEDNESDAY
Singapore election campaign kicks off
The city-state officially kicks off a nine-day election campaign leading up to a May 3 vote, with candidates from the ruling People’s Action Party, the Workers’ Party, the Progress Singapore Party and others submitting their nomination papers.
New cars on show in Shanghai
The Shanghai auto show, one of the world’s biggest, kicks off its 10-day run. The exhibition comes as the rise of China’s electric vehicle industry challenges the world’s legacy carmakers, while U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies rattle the global trading system. The previous show in 2023 attracted more than 1,000 exhibitors, domestic and foreign, according to the organizers.
Bank Indonesia makes interest rate call
Indonesia’s central bank is expected to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 5.75% for the third straight month as it seeks to safeguard the rupiah, amid concerns about the economy’s outlook triggered by a recent market sell-off.
Data: Malaysia consumer price index, Singapore CPI
THURSDAY
South Korea publishes GDP data following political unrest
South Korea’s central bank will release its preliminary estimate of the country’s economic performance in the first quarter, a period of political tension in the country. Analysts have predicted low growth or a contraction for the quarter, as consumption was slowed by the monthslong crisis over the impeachment of now-former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Vinfast publishes earnings
Nasdaq-listed EV maker VinFast will release its earnings for 2024, a year in which it was Vietnam’s top-selling car brand. The results come as the automaker expands into India, the Philippines and Indonesia. On the same day, owner Vingroup will meet with shareholders to discuss its annual business activities.
Earnings: Nestle India, Hindustan Unilever, SK Hynix, Nidec
FRIDAY
Thai king makes first state visit
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida will pay a four-day state visit to Bhutan, starting Friday, marking the first overseas state visit by the king since he ascended the throne.
Data: Singapore manufacturing index
