Our Insights
Featured Insights Selected by Our Experts
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Nature as National Asset: How the Middle East Is Turning Biodiversity into Economic Opportunity
By Basilinna Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO.
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Trump 2.0
Tholos Talks with The Trade Guys, Hosted by Jake E. Jennings
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China Economic Stimulus Tracker
A comprehensive timeline of announcements and policy actions implemented by the Chinese government to stimulate economic activity.
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When Mistakes Need a Manual: China’s Guidance on Acceptable Decision-making
By Deborah Lehr, Basilinna Chair and CEO
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Silicon and Sovereignty: What Trump’s AI Pact Means for the Gulf
Talking Points by the Basilinna Team
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Why Do Culture and Heritage Matter? with Irina Bokova
Tholos Talks with Irina Bokova, Hosted by Deborah Lehr
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Is Xi Jinping Undermining China’s Path to Tech Superiority?
By Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
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Making Acquisitions in the Public Affairs Sector: Lessons from Both Sides of the Table
By Leigh Wedell, President and COO
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Trade is No Longer a Way of Opening Up Markets
With Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
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From the Middle Kingdom to the Saudi Kingdom: Opportunities Abound
By Yasser Elnaggar, Chair of the Middle East and Africa
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The New Trump Administration: Perspective from China
Talking Points by Gracie Sun, Chair of Asia-Pacific
Explore all of our Insights, Interviews, Commentary, and More
Heritage in Crisis: The Changing Role of Museums
May 15, 2025 | Hosted by Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
In episode three of Understanding the Thriving Trade in Looted Antiquities — a Tholos Talks series exploring the global repercussions of the antiquities trade — Deborah welcomes Richard Kurin, an American cultural anthropologist, museum official, and author, to discuss the evolving role of museums in preserving heritage, combating the illicit trade in antiquities, and serving as vital sources of public knowledge.
Decoding U.S., China, and Latin America Dynamics
May 12, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
In episode three of Coffee, Trade, and Tech — the Tholos Talks series that unpacks the defining economic challenges of the 21st century — Jake joins Margaret Myers, Managing Director for Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF) at The John Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Basilinna Senior Fellow to decode the complex relationships between countries in the Latin America region, the United States, and China.
Facing Trade Pressures, China Renews Its ‘Opening Up’ Pledges — But What Do They Really Mean?
May 5, 2025 | By The Basilinna Team
As global trade tensions rise and the U.S. escalates tariffs worldwide, especially against China, Beijing is taking a different path. Instead of retreating, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed during a March meeting with global business leaders that “China’s door to opening up will only become broader,” calling for the accelerated implementation of opening-up measures.
Seeking the next DeepSeek: What China’s Generative AI Registration Data Can Tell Us About China’s AI Competitiveness
April 29, 2025 | Kendra Schaefer, Senior Fellow
In the early months of 2025, Chinese AI startup DeepSeek caught global observers off guard by releasing a highly advanced large language model (LLM) that matched top-tier Western offerings in both performance and scale.
Mexico’s Trade Strategy After “Liberation Day”
April 24, 2025 | Óscar Arcos, Executive Director
Mexico has emerged as a rare exception in President Trump’s aggressive new tariff regime, escaping new duties thanks to USMCA compliance. But that protection comes with evolving expectations. President Trump has reframed trade as a rolling performance review—layering geopolitical demands onto market access, competitive alignment, and the elimination of non-tariff barriers. As the U.S. redefines its trade posture, here’s businesses need to consider next.
U.S. Reciprocal Trade Policy: Strategic Opportunities for Latin America Amid Global Uncertainty
April 22, 2025 | By Jake E. Jennings
The adoption of a reciprocal trade policy by the United States represents one of the most significant shifts in the country’s economic approach in decades. As businesses and investors respond to this evolving landscape, both unprecedented opportunities and substantial risks emerge.
Semiconductors and the Global Economy
April 21, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
Jake sits down with John Neuffer, President and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, to explore the complexity of the global semiconductor market. They discuss how the industry has been shaped by America First trade policies, how semiconductor trade will influence U.S.-China relations, and the urgent challenges facing the semiconductor workforce.
The Dark Side of the Art Market: The Illicit Trade
April 21, 2025 | Hosted by Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
Deborah sits down with Tess Davis, Executive Director of The Antiquities Coalition and Basilinna Executive Director, to bring her unique perspective with an extensive history in fighting this form of cultural racketeering. Tess and Deborah discuss the cultural romanticization of artifact trafficking, the broader implications of cultural racketeering, and how we can collectively work towards preserving our shared history, and the impact of looted antiquities on global security.
U.S.-China Post-“Liberation Day” - What’s Ahead
April 7, 2025 | The Basilinna Team
The Administration’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement has already sparked retaliation and potential escalation with China, the world’s second-largest economy. While a tariff rate of an additional 34% was announced, combined with pre-existing tariffs, the rate came closer to the 60% that the President said he would impose during the campaign.
In the Firing Line: Australia Reacts to U.S. Trade Blitz
April 2, 2025 | Peter Frasier, Executive Director
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the imposition of a 10 percent tariff on all Australian exports to the United States. This decision encompasses key sectors such as beef, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals, and has elicited significant responses from both the Australian government and industry stakeholders.