In the debut episode of The New Asia Podcast from Muddy Waters Asia, host Michael Coolbaugh sits down with Rob Medd, Head of Asia at Muddy Waters, to unpack Vietnam’s rising role in the global economy.
From trade wars to transshipment, from Cold War history to future tech investments, this is a comprehensive, boots-on-the-ground look at how Vietnam became a key player in the New World Order. Whether you’re an investor, a policy watcher, or just curious about Asia’s future, this episode lays the groundwork.
Why some are calling it Liberation Day and what it means for AsiaHow Vietnam has become the battleground of U.S.–China trade tensionsThe rise of Vietnam through both legitimate FDI and controversial transshipmentThe geopolitical tightrope Vietnam walks with China, the U.S., Russia, and UkraineWhat the “Bamboo Policy” means for Vietnam’s foreign relationsThe legacy of the Vietnam War on modern global supply chainsDomestic policy shifts, digitization, and Vietnam’s push toward higher-value manufacturingHow Vietnam differs from China in terms of intellectual property, governance, and economic opennessWhat to watch next: tariffs, licensing crackdowns, education reform, and infrastructure investmentsTo learn more about Muddy Waters Asia, please visit MuddyWatersAsia.com, follow us on X at @MuddyWatersAsia and subscribe to the Muddy Waters Asia email newsletter.