In the Media

When it comes to the trendiest collectible today, it’s not Chanel or Taylor Swift — it’s Labubu, the sharp-eared, wide-eyed character with its signature nine fangs! According to Dr. Tingting Fan, Principal Lecturer in Marketing at HKU Business School, the rise of Labubu under Pop Mart was no coincidence. It was driven by the brand’s unique IP strategy — collaborating with designers worldwide to create diverse character series, supported by an integrated business model covering design, production, and marketing, all tailored to young consumers’ tastes. “Pop Mart has excelled in using data analytics to understand the preferences and trends of consumers aged 18 to 29,” Dr. Fan explained. She added that Labubu’s success went beyond celebrity endorsements — it was about building strong community engagement and brand loyalty. Looking ahead, Pop Mart’s future growth would depend on its ability to stay ahead of market trends and deepen emotional connections with its fans.

Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Dean of HKU Business School and Director of the Asia Global Institute, recently spoke on CNA. He shared his analysis of the evolving US-China trade war and the impacts these changes will have on businesses in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, Mainland China, and beyond. Prof. Tang spoke on the impact of the latest tariffs: Greater Bay Area: The Guangdong Province, a hub for high-tech manufacturing, shows stronger resilience to trade shocks compared to other regions in China due to generally higher profit margins. Domestic Growth: China Private Consumption has been lower than 40% of its Nominal GDP. China needs to boost domestic consumption, a critical driver of economic stability to fight off the external pressures. Multilateralism: China remains committed to a multilateral, open trading system even as U.S.–China tensions rise and geopolitical strains prompt it to diversify partnerships beyond the United States. Hong Kong: The depreciation of the US dollar against non-RMB currencies could attract more tourists and bolster local consumption. Prof. Tang explained that businesses must adapt to these challenges, and therefore, we need a strategic approach to foster greater multilateral engagement.

US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hikes have intensified global trade tensions, reflecting the US President’s economic pressure tactics and long-term strategic goals. Professor Zhiwu Chen, Chair Professor of Finance at HKU Business School explained that “Trump sees tariffs as both a strategic tool for domestic restructuring and a bargaining chip in international negotiations.” He further commented that Trump’s approach was not only about restoring America’s past revenue position but also about reshaping the power dynamics shaping global trade. Prof. Chen believes China should stay committed to openness and a rules-based global order. He said, “China should continue to safeguard the authority of international institutions like the UN and WTO, maintain friendly economic ties, and strengthen its domestic resilience.” Looking ahead, Prof. Chen expected global trade to shift towards regional alliances, with increasing fragmentation in global governance.

US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hikes have intensified global trade tensions, reflecting the US President’s economic pressure tactics and long-term strategic goals. Professor Zhiwu Chen, Chair Professor of Finance at HKU Business School explained that “Trump sees tariffs as both a strategic tool for domestic restructuring and a bargaining chip in international negotiations.” He further commented that Trump’s approach was not only about restoring America’s past revenue position but also about reshaping the power dynamics shaping global trade. Prof. Chen believes China should stay committed to openness and a rules-based global order. He said, “China should continue to safeguard the authority of international institutions like the UN and WTO, maintain friendly economic ties, and strengthen its domestic resilience.” Looking ahead, Prof. Chen expected global trade to shift towards regional alliances, with increasing fragmentation in global governance.

US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hikes have intensified global trade tensions, reflecting the US President’s economic pressure tactics and long-term strategic goals. Professor Zhiwu Chen, Chair Professor of Finance at HKU Business School explained that “Trump sees tariffs as both a strategic tool for domestic restructuring and a bargaining chip in international negotiations.” He further commented that Trump’s approach was not only about restoring America’s past revenue position but also about reshaping the power dynamics shaping global trade. Prof. Chen believes China should stay committed to openness and a rules-based global order. He said, “China should continue to safeguard the authority of international institutions like the UN and WTO, maintain friendly economic ties, and strengthen its domestic resilience.” Looking ahead, Prof. Chen expected global trade to shift towards regional alliances, with increasing fragmentation in global governance.

On “Liberation Day”, US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping plan to impose reciprocal tariffs—taxes that exceeded market expectations and triggered immediate shocks across financial markets. According to Yale’s Budget Lab, these tariffs could raise short-term inflation in the US by 2.3%, reduce household spending by an average of US$3,800, and lower the country’s 2025 GDP growth rate by 0.9%. Dr Y.F. Luk, Honorary Associate Professor at HKU Business School, noted that for the Trump administration, tariffs served both as a policy tool and a political signal. While they could generate government revenue, they were unlikely to replace major taxes. Tariffs might drive limited reindustrialisation, but reviving America’s manufacturing golden age remained uncertain. He also commented that Industrial development takes time, and it’s unclear how long the US economy can withstand sustained high tariffs.

US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hikes have intensified global trade tensions, reflecting the US President’s economic pressure tactics and long-term strategic goals. Professor Zhiwu Chen, Chair Professor of Finance at HKU Business School explained that “Trump sees tariffs as both a strategic tool for domestic restructuring and a bargaining chip in international negotiations.” He further commented that Trump’s approach was not only about restoring America’s past revenue position but also about reshaping the power dynamics shaping global trade. Prof. Chen believes China should stay committed to openness and a rules-based global order. He said, “China should continue to safeguard the authority of international institutions like the UN and WTO, maintain friendly economic ties, and strengthen its domestic resilience.” Looking ahead, Prof. Chen expected global trade to shift towards regional alliances, with increasing fragmentation in global governance.

US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hikes have intensified global trade tensions, reflecting the US President’s economic pressure tactics and long-term strategic goals. Professor Zhiwu Chen, Chair Professor of Finance at HKU Business School explained that “Trump sees tariffs as both a strategic tool for domestic restructuring and a bargaining chip in international negotiations.” He further commented that Trump’s approach was not only about restoring America’s past revenue position but also about reshaping the power dynamics shaping global trade. Prof. Chen believes China should stay committed to openness and a rules-based global order. He said, “China should continue to safeguard the authority of international institutions like the UN and WTO, maintain friendly economic ties, and strengthen its domestic resilience.” Looking ahead, Prof. Chen expected global trade to shift towards regional alliances, with increasing fragmentation in global governance.

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