Saturday Mornings International News Review: Starmer, Xi & the New Global Chessboard - What It Means for Asia

This week on MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys to break down a whirlwind of geopolitical shifts that signal a world rapidly reorganising itself around — and sometimes away from — the United States. We start in Beijing, where UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s high‑stakes meeting with President Xi Jinping marks a notable reset in UK‑China relations. With new agreements on trade, visas, and strategic cooperation, the visit underscores how middle powers are forging their own pathways amid an unpredictable Washington. Steve also shares insights from his recent trip to Hong Kong — including conversations with business leaders navigating private‑equity headwinds, regulatory uncertainty, and the city’s ongoing effort to remain a global financial hub. Then we head to Panama, where the Supreme Court has struck down CK Hutchison’s long‑standing port contracts, injecting fresh tension into the US‑China rivalry over control of critical global trade routes. The ruling could reshape ownership of key canal operations and reverberate across global supply chains. And for our "kicker" the viral Gen‑Z phrase “6‑7” has officially topped the 2025 list of overused words — declared “cooked” and ceremonially banished for the new year.

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