WASHINGTON – In this episode, Thomas Fraser talks with Ed Gresser about the Trump Administration’s approach to making tariff policy. Gresser observes that trade negotiations and tariff policy have been a highly collaborative process involving the White House, Congress and multiple federal agencies. Trade agreements have typically taken years to negotiate and implement. Now, the Trump Administration is much more deal focused, seeking quick results. Gresser discusses the types of trade deals being...
Jun 26, 2025•34 min
WASHINGTON – In Episode #36 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with John Goyer about the surprisingly large amount of business U.S. companies do in Southeast Asia. The economies of Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia have been growing quickly in recent years. With this rapid economic growth has come an increasing demand for sophisticated U.S. good and services. In 2022, U.S. companies had sales of $960 billion in Southeast Asia. In this epi...
Feb 06, 2025•16 min
WASHINGTON – In Episode #36 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with John Goyer about the surprisingly large amount of business U.S. companies do in Southeast Asia. The economies of Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia have been growing quickly in recent years. With this rapid economic growth has come an increasing demand for sophisticated U.S. good and services. In 2022, U.S. companies had sales of $960 billion in Southeast Asia. In this epi...
Feb 06, 2025•15 min
NEW YORK – In Episode #35 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Gita Wirjawan about Indonesia’s changing place in the world. The economy of Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has been growing quickly in recent years. Rapid economic growth has been accompanied by a more influential presence on the global stage. Wirjawan, a successful business leader, educator and Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia (2011-2014), has a unique perspective on Indonesia...
Nov 23, 2022•17 min
NEW YORK – In Episode #35 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Gita Wirjawan about Indonesia’s changing place in the world. The economy of Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has been growing quickly in recent years. Rapid economic growth has been accompanied by a more influential presence on the global stage. Wirjawan, a successful business leader, educator and Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia (2011-2014), has a unique perspective on Indonesia...
Nov 23, 2022•21 min
WASHINGTON – In Episode #34 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Ted Osius about diplomacy, the history of America’s reconciliation with Vietnam and business opportunities in Southeast Asia. Osius is President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council and, previously, US Ambassador to Vietnam. Osius is also the author of the excellent new book “Nothing Is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam.” In Part 1 of this episode, Osius discusses the remarkable transformati...
Aug 15, 2022•21 min
WASHINGTON – In Episode #34 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Ted Osius about diplomacy, the history of America’s reconciliation with Vietnam and business opportunities in Southeast Asia. Osius is President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council and, previously, US Ambassador to Vietnam. Osius is also the author of the excellent new book “Nothing Is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam.” In Part 1 of this episode, Osius discusses the remarkable transformati...
Aug 15, 2022•20 min
NEW YORK – In Episode #33 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of Singapore’s Economic Development Board, about business opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia. With a population of 700 million and a rapidly growing, increasingly digital middle class, Southeast Asia is on track to become the fourth largest market in the world by 2030. The business opportunities are significant. In Part 1 of this episode, Poh describes the growth of So...
Apr 27, 2022•32 min
NEW YORK – In Episode #33 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of Singapore’s Economic Development Board, about business opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia. With a population of 700 million and a rapidly growing, increasingly digital middle class, Southeast Asia is on track to become the fourth largest market in the world by 2030. The business opportunities are significant. In Part 1 of this episode, Poh describes the growth of So...
Apr 27, 2022•14 min
MONTREAL -- In Episode #32 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Anne Charpentier, the Director of the Montreal Botanical Garden, about the botanical garden's efforts to lead an ecological transition and adapt to climate change in Montreal. Like many cities around the world, Montreal has been affected by climate change. Heat waves, higher temperatures and black ice storms are more frequent. The goal of the Montreal Botanical Garden is to be an example of successful climate ad...
Nov 23, 2021•16 min
MONTREAL -- In Episode #32 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Anne Charpentier, the Director of the Montreal Botanical Garden, about the botanical garden's efforts to lead an ecological transition and adapt to climate change in Montreal. Like many cities around the world, Montreal has been affected by climate change. Heat waves, higher temperatures and black ice storms are more frequent. The goal of the Montreal Botanical Garden is to be an example of successful climate ad...
Nov 23, 2021•17 min
SINGAPORE -- In Episode #31 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Keith Tan, the Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, about the role of tourism in Singapore. Singapore takes a big picture, innovative approach to developing its tourism sector. In a wide-ranging interview, Tan discusses the size and diversity of tourism in Singapore and efforts to develop new skills and new technologies to help the sector grown. One noteworthy new tourist attraction in Singapore is J...
Aug 14, 2021•16 min
SINGAPORE -- In Episode #31 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Keith Tan, the Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, about the role of tourism in Singapore. Singapore takes a big picture, innovative approach to developing its tourism sector. In a wide-ranging interview, Tan discusses the size and diversity of tourism in Singapore and efforts to develop new skills and new technologies to help the sector grown. One noteworthy new tourist attraction in Singapore is J...
Aug 14, 2021•15 min
HONG KONG -- In Episode #30 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Andy Brown about reforestation and nature conservation in Hong Kong. Brown is the Executive Director of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. Kadoorie Farm is a non-governmental organization doing a variety of things to make Hong Kong more green and nature filled. Kadoorie Farm's activities include important work in flora and fauna conservation, wild animal rescue, nature education and sustainable living. Brown tel...
Aug 14, 2021•26 min
HONG KONG -- In Episode #30 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Andy Brown about reforestation and nature conservation in Hong Kong. Brown is the Executive Director of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. Kadoorie Farm is a non-governmental organization doing a variety of things to make Hong Kong more green and nature filled. Kadoorie Farm's activities include important work in flora and fauna conservation, wild animal rescue, nature education and sustainable living. Brown tel...
Aug 14, 2021•13 min
SINGAPORE -- In Episode #29 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Janek Schergen about how to build a national dance company. Schergen is the Artistic Director of the Singapore Dance Theatre. The dance company performs classical, neo-classical and contemporary ballets, including a number of world premieres. The company also produces a variety of educational and outreach programs. One key to building a successful performing arts organization is vision and long-term planning. T...
Aug 14, 2021•20 min
SINGAPORE -- In Episode #29 (Segment 1 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Janek Schergen about how to build a national dance company. Schergen is the Artistic Director of the Singapore Dance Theatre. The dance company performs classical, neo-classical and contemporary ballets, including a number of world premieres. The company also produces a variety of educational and outreach programs. One key to building a successful performing arts organization is vision and long-term planning. T...
Aug 14, 2021•19 min
THE LOWER EAST SIDE, NEW YORK -- In Episode #28 (Segment 3 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Kevin Jennings about how the Tenement Museum uses storytelling to tell the stories of immigrants to New York's Lower East Side and to educate museumgoers about the immigrant experience today. Jennings is the President of the Tenement Museum. The Tenement Museum is an excellent example of how a smaller museum with a limited collection can make a big impact through an emphasis on compelling st...
Aug 14, 2021•8 min
THE LOWER EAST SIDE, NEW YORK -- In Episode #28 (Segment 2 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Kevin Jennings about how the Tenement Museum uses storytelling to tell the stories of immigrants to New York's Lower East Side and to educate museumgoers about the immigrant experience today. Jennings is the President of the Tenement Museum. The Tenement Museum is an excellent example of how a smaller museum with a limited collection can make a big impact through an emphasis on compelling st...
Aug 14, 2021•11 min
THE LOWER EAST SIDE, NEW YORK -- In Episode #28 (Segment 1 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Kevin Jennings about how the Tenement Museum uses storytelling to tell the stories of immigrants to New York's Lower East Side and to educate museumgoers about the immigrant experience today. Jennings is the President of the Tenement Museum. The Tenement Museum is an excellent example of how a smaller museum with a limited collection can make a big impact through an emphasis on compelling st...
Aug 14, 2021•13 min
THE BATTERY, NEW YORK -- In Episode #27 (Segment 3 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Warrie Price about the history and revitalization of the Battery in New York City. Price is the founder of the Battery Conservancy. In a wide-ranging interview, Price describes the history of the Battery and how it has been transformed into the urban refuge it is today. She also discussed how the rejuvenation of the Battery reflects the renaissance in public park building currently underway around t...
Aug 13, 2021•16 min
THE BATTERY, NEW YORK -- In Episode #27 (Segment 2 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Warrie Price about the history and revitalization of the Battery in New York City. Price is the founder of the Battery Conservancy. In a wide-ranging interview, Price describes the history of the Battery and how it has been transformed into the urban refuge it is today. She also discussed how the rejuvenation of the Battery reflects the renaissance in public park building currently underway around t...
Aug 13, 2021•14 min
THE BATTERY, NEW YORK -- In Episode #27 (Segment 1 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Warrie Price about the history and revitalization of the Battery in New York City. Price is the founder of the Battery Conservancy. In a wide-ranging interview, Price describes the history of the Battery and how it has been transformed into the urban refuge it is today. She also discussed how the rejuvenation of the Battery reflects the renaissance in public park building currently underway around t...
Aug 13, 2021•12 min
CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK -- In Episode #26 (Segment 3 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Elizabeth Barlow Rogers about Central Park's history and revitalization. Rogers is the founder of the influential Central Park Conservancy. In a wide-ranging interview, Rogers describes how Central Park was rescued from a state of serious neglect and degradation and transformed into the scenic and recreational masterpiece it is today. She also discusses a variety of lessons civic leaders can learn ...
Aug 12, 2021•13 min
CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK -- In Episode #26 (Segment 2 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Elizabeth Barlow Rogers about Central Park's history and revitalization. Rogers is the founder of the influential Central Park Conservancy. In a wide-ranging interview, Rogers describes how Central Park was rescued from a state of serious neglect and degradation and transformed into the scenic and recreational masterpiece it is today. She also discusses a variety of lessons civic leaders can learn ...
Aug 12, 2021•18 min
CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK -- In Episode #26 (Segment 1 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Elizabeth Barlow Rogers about Central Park's history and revitalization. Rogers is the founder of the influential Central Park Conservancy. In a wide-ranging interview, Rogers describes how Central Park was rescued from a state of serious neglect and degradation and transformed into the scenic and recreational masterpiece it is today. She also discusses a variety of lessons civic leaders can learn ...
Aug 12, 2021•13 min
CAMP ALPINE, NEW JERSEY -- In Episode #25 (Segment 3 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Ethan Draddy, CEO of the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, about leadership, character development, STEM programming and the opening of BSA programs to girls and young women. Scouting is much larger in New York City than many people realize. Through its professional staff and more than 4,000 adult volunteer leaders, the council serves more than 40,000 young men and women in t...
Aug 12, 2021•16 min
CAMP ALPINE, NEW JERSEY -- In Episode #25 (Segment 2 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Ethan Draddy, CEO of the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, about leadership, character development, STEM programming and the opening of BSA programs to girls and young women. Scouting is much larger in New York City than many people realize. Through its professional staff and more than 4,000 adult volunteer leaders, the council serves more than 40,000 young men and women in t...
Aug 12, 2021•15 min
CAMP ALPINE, NEW JERSEY -- In Episode #25 (Segment 1 of 3) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Ethan Draddy, CEO of the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, about leadership, character development, STEM programming and the opening of BSA programs to girls and young women. Scouting is much larger in New York City than many people realize. Through its professional staff and more than 4,000 adult volunteer leaders, the council serves more than 40,000 young men and women in t...
Aug 12, 2021•12 min
In Episode #24 (Segment 2 of 2) of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with journalist Will Doig about China's Belt and Road Initiative, railway diplomacy and infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia. The Belt and Road Initiative is an ambitious endeavor to make China a primary center of global economic activity through a network of infrastructure, industrial zones, supply chains and sea and land trading routes encompassing more than 60 countries. Doig is the author of the excellent new book "High...
Aug 10, 2021•14 min
