Perspectives with Wenchi Yu

Wenchi Yu

Perspectives with Wenchi Yu presents on-the-ground views from Asia about Trump 2.0's policies and politics and their implications for China, Taiwan, Asia, and beyond. Wenchi Yu interviews business and political leaders with deep experience working on and living in the Asia Pacific region.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep. 37 The New Space Age: How Privatization Fuels China’s Aerospace Rise

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks to Allen Fung, formerly with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group, about China’s emerging commercial space sector and the broader “second space age,” tracing how SpaceX’s 2015 Falcon 9 landing helped spur Beijing to open its rocket industry to private firms and create a fast-growing ecosystem around launch and satellites. Allen explains how reusable rockets and cheaper access to orbit are enabling new possibilities, such as space-based data centers powered by constant solar energy and cooled by radiating heat into space, as well as speculative but potentially transformative ideas like manufacturing artificial diamond semiconductors in microgravity to achieve phosphorus-doped “negative type” diamond devices that are difficult to make on Earth. Allen argues that China and hubs like Hong Kong intend not just to follow U.S. pioneers like SpaceX and Blue Origin but to help shape the next phase of global space and technology competition. 00:00 The New Space Age: China's Aerospace Sector 02:26 China's Response to Artemis 2 04:51 The Rise of Private Rocket Companies in China 09:04 The Role of Hong Kong in Aerospace 12:17 The Competitive Landscape of Aerospace Companies 16:15 The Future of Space Manufacturing 26:03 Semiconductors in Space: A New Frontier Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    33 min

  2. MAR 27

    Ep. 36 Germany's China Shock: Navigating Economic Dependence and Geopolitical Risks with Noah Barkin

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Noah Barkin — senior advisor at Rhodium Group and author of the popular “Watching China in Europe” newsletter — about the rapidly shifting landscape of Germany's relationship with China. Germany is losing roughly 10,000 manufacturing jobs per month. As European leaders line up to visit Beijing and global trade tensions intensify, Germany finds itself caught between two worlds — deeply entangled with China economically but increasingly alarmed by the dependencies and security risks arising from this close relationship. From factory floors in Anhui to 5G towers in Hamburg, the choices Germany makes about China will shape not only its future, but Europe's. This episode is a collaboration with the China Strategic Risks Institute.    00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 02:01 The State of Germany-China Relations Today 03:27 China's Support for Russia and Geopolitical Tensions 05:23 Perception of China's Support for Russia in Germany 07:05 Economic Shifts in German-China Business Relations 09:16 China Shock and Its Impact on German Industry 11:35 Auto Industry Investment and Deindustrialization 14:11 Cost Efficiency and Localization in China 16:44 Supply Chain Ecosystems and China's Industrial Advantage 18:43 European Trade Strategies and De-risking Efforts 21:33 EU Trade Policy and Tariffs on Chinese Goods 23:14 Pharmaceutical Industry and Chinese Competition 25:19 Critical Infrastructure and 5G Security Concerns 29:17 De-risking Supply Chains and Europe's Dependence on China 32:18 EU vs. Germany: Divergent Approaches to China 34:57 US Policies and Europe's China Strategy 38:08 Conclusion: Europe's Hedging Strategy and Future Outlook Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    40 min

  3. MAR 15

    Ep. 35 Lobbying for Semiconductors in Washington: Patrick Wilson on Two Decades of Chip Policy

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Patrick Wilson—who until recently served as Vice President of Government Affairs for MediaTek—about how semiconductors went from an obscure, capital‑intensive niche to the center of global industrial strategy. Drawing on two decades in Congress, industry, and the first Trump administration, Patrick explains why Washington woke up to its dependence on Taiwan and Asia, how the TSMC Arizona deal and the CHIPS Act were really conceived, and what political‑risk mitigation strategies Taiwanese and other foreign firms should adopt as they navigate Beijing, Taipei, and Washington. 00:00 - Introduction: Semiconductor industry’s geopolitical significance 02:18 - Industry reluctance and political engagement of chip companies 04:32 - How manufacturing and policy interest surged with geopolitical shifts 06:35 - The 2003 trade disputes over Chinese chip export support 09:16 - The rise of Taiwan’s TSMC and decline of US fab dominance 11:05 - The generational shift in industry leadership and manufacturing shifts 12:45 - Globalization, supply chain vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns 13:04 - Growing US awareness of supply chain fragility pre-COVID 15:09 - The impact of US Tax and R&D policies in semiconductor investment decisions 17:12 - US government funding, China’s rising investment, and research funding gaps 18:37 - Developing the TSMC/Taiwan-US partnership and the Chips Act 20:15 - Building semiconductor fabs in the US: Costs, timelines, and geopolitical considerations 24:29 - Taiwan’s cautious response to manufacturing investments in the US 26:45 - How COVID and industry lobbying shifted US policy and industry strategy 29:55 - Auto industry’s realization of dependence on chips and supply chain transparency 35:47 - Building industry champions and the importance of reputation 37:22 - Strategies for foreign companies to gain influence in Washington and Taipei 39:06 - The delicate balance of Taiwanese diversification away from China 42:16 - US-Taiwan semiconductor cooperation and the importance of joint R&D 44:18 - The significance of Taiwan’s role, trust, and future collaboration 45:47 - Building trust and advocacy for Taiwanese firms in Washington 46:46 - Insights from Condoleezza Rice on managing political risk in corporate strategy Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    49 min

  4. MAR 5

    Ep. 34 London, Beijing, and Ring‑Fenced Capital: Fraser Howie on China Finance and UK-China Relations

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with UK‑based Fraser Howie in the wake of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ice‑breaking trip to China. Fraser—a veteran China markets analyst and co‑author of several books on the Chinese financial system—reflects on three decades of watching China’s rise from inside Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He traces how early hopes that finance and WTO integration would liberalize China gave way to a more sober reality: a system where politics dominates markets, foreign firms struggle to earn real returns, and “investability” is constrained by capital controls, opacity, and state priorities. Against the backdrop of Trump 2.0, a more distrustful West, and a UK desperate for growth yet wary of dependency, Fraser dissects London’s renewed outreach to Beijing—from audit rules and listings to wind turbines and students—and cautions that neither China nor the United States offers easy answers for middle powers trying to balance security, values, and economic needs. This episode is a collaboration with the China Strategic Risks Institute.  00:00 Introduction to Fraser Howie and his background in China finance 01:46 Historical perspective on China's financial markets since 1992 04:01 The complexities of Chinese investability and capital flows 05:51 The role of politics and stability in China's financial openness 07:37 Foreign investment and joint ventures in China over 25 years 13:54 UK's engagement with China and the impact of political decisions 15:48 China's technological advancements and supply chain dominance 17:57 National security risks associated with Chinese technology in critical infrastructure 19:42 The challenges of Chinese investment in Britain and other middle powers 21:51 Comparing China and India as investment opportunities 23:28 The role of London's financial sector in UK-China relations 25:36 UK's stock market and regulatory challenges with Chinese listings 27:43 The influence of political figures like Peter Mandelson in China-UK relations 29:23 The future of global engagement with China and diversification strategies 31:34 The importance of a balanced and informed China policy 33:29 The impact of China's internal reforms and global integration 35:06 The role of the Chinese diaspora in shaping UK-China relations 37:07 Lessons learned from past engagement and future policy directions 39:21 The importance of principled conditional engagement with China 41:08 The need for diversified supply chains and national security considerations 43:17 The role of UK and Western financial institutions in China 45:20 Conclusion: Navigating the complexities of China in a changing world Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    47 min

  5. FEB 24

    Ep. 33 Wade Senti on Magnets, Rare Earths, and the New Manufacturing Race

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Wade Senti, President of Florida-based Advanced Magnet Lab (AML), about why magnets and rare earths have become a central battleground in the new era of manufacturing and national security. Wade traces AML’s journey from a small robotics‑adjacent lab to a leading U.S. magnet producer, then explains how permanent magnets underpin everything from industrial motors and EVs to drones, humanoid robots, and defense tech. He breaks down the rare earth supply chain, China’s long‑dominant role and pricing power, and why geopolitics and trade tensions have forced companies and governments to rethink China‑dependent inputs. They also explore shifting demand, fragmented global supply, the scramble to build alternative and domestic capacity, including space exploration, and the technological innovations needed to use fewer rare earths while meeting surging magnet demand worldwide. Wade Senti's latest op-ed in mining.com: Permanent magnets are the spear in the critical minerals supply chain 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial 00:00 The Global Rare Earth Supply Chain 01:37 Understanding Magnets and Their Applications 06:27 Shifts in the Magnet Supply Chain 11:49 The Growing Demand for Magnets 15:32 Challenges in Rare Earth Supply 20:22 Government Support and Industry Response 24:35 The Future of Magnet Production 30:01 Navigating Uncertainty in the Industry Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    37 min

  6. FEB 18

    Ep. 32 Made With Taiwan: How AI, Security, and ‘One World, Two Systems’ Rewire Global Manufacturing

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Wesley Chu, a research fellow of the Ash Center at Harvard Kennedy School and former General Counsel of Foxconn—one of the world’s largest manufacturers—about how Trump 2.0’s trade deal is reshaping the future of Taiwanese manufacturing. As the administration accelerates its push to “make it in America,” Taiwan’s firms find themselves at the center of a historic supply‑chain reset. Drawing on his experience, Wesley explains why the new U.S.–Taiwan investment deal is “not perfect, but workable,” how rising cross‑strait risk and U.S. national security demands are forcing Taiwanese companies to move beyond low‑margin OEM work, and what it really takes to survive in high‑cost states like Arizona and Texas. From AI servers and drones to “one world, two systems” production lines and a desperately needed Taiwan tech firewall, he offers a blunt insider view of how Taiwan can shift from “made in Taiwan” to “made with Taiwan”—and why it must become a true silicon hub, not simply relying on a silicon shield. 00:00 Taiwan's Strategic Investment in the U.S. 02:43 Challenges and Opportunities for Taiwanese Companies 05:46 Shifting from OEM to Value-Driven Partnerships 08:32 Taiwan's Role in the Global Supply Chain 11:24 Diversification and Regional Manufacturing 14:29 The Concept of 'Made with Taiwan' 17:31 Defense Tech and New Opportunities 20:06 Managing Operations in China 23:07 Building a Technology Firewall 25:58 Taiwan's Future in AI and Beyond Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    35 min

  7. FEB 4

    Ep. 31 RMB, Trade, and Power: Stewart Paterson on How China's Currency Fueled Its Economic and Manufacturing Power

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with UK-based economist and author Stewart Paterson about how Beijing has used the renminbi (RMB), trade surpluses, and industrial policy to fuel its rise—and why he believes Western engagement with China was flawed from the start. Drawing on decades of experience analyzing China from Hong Kong, Singapore, and London, Paterson explains how deliberate RMB undervaluation, subsidies, and capital controls built China’s export machine while suppressing domestic consumption and reshaping global supply chains.​ They dig into the politics behind RMB “internationalization,” the limits of China’s ambitions to challenge the dollar, and how tools such as sanctions, Belt and Road lending, and central bank digital currencies are changing the geopolitical map. Wenchi also presses Paterson on whether the United States is now copying elements of China’s playbook—from industrial policy to re-industrialization—and what it means for countries caught between a dollar system run by a democracy and an RMB regime designed to maximize party-state power. China, Trade, and Power: Why the West's Economic Engagement Has Failed, by Stewart Paterson This episode is a collaboration with China Strategic Risks Institute. Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    37 min

  8. JAN 29

    Ep. 30 Taiwan's Energy Crossroads: Between Politics and Net-Zero Goal

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Bart Linssen, an onshore wind expert who has spent over two decades in Taiwan, about how the island's energy system is struggling to move from cheap coal and nuclear to renewables while keeping prices and supply stable. As Taiwan and the US sign a landmark trade and investment deal centered on semiconductors, some of Taiwan’s most sensitive yet least understood strategic questions remain: how the island can keep the lights on, stay competitive in the global supply chain, and still reach net zero emissions.  Bart explains Taiwan’s current mix—dominated by coal and LNG with nuclear recently shut down and renewables stuck at about 10 percent—its complex market design around Tai Power (Taiwan Power Company, 台電), feed‑in tariffs, and corporate Power Purchase Agreements driven by supply‑chain demands like RE100 and Europe’s carbon border tax, and the intensely political battles that routinely derail onshore wind and solar projects at the local level. He also discusses the growing reliance on imported LNG, debates over reviving nuclear (including small modular reactors), and why clearer zoning, more consistent policy, and stronger political will are essential if Taiwan is to reach its 2050 net‑zero goal and remain competitive. Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Perspectives with Wenchi Yu presents on-the-ground views from Asia about Trump 2.0's policies and politics and their implications for China, Taiwan, Asia, and beyond. Wenchi Yu interviews business and political leaders with deep experience working on and living in the Asia Pacific region.

Information

  • Creator
    Wenchi Yu
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Perspectives with Wenchi Yu
  • Show Website
    Perspectives with Wenchi Yu

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