Tariff 💱

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Seas boil and skies darken as the trade war has begun…

Alright, maybe we’re being a little dramatic, but Trump’s tariffs are no laughing matter. While China scrambles to counter a 10% tariff, Southeast Asian nations—especially Vietnam—are seeing a wave of new factories and investments.

As the world watches these economic power plays unfold, stay ahead of the curve with our latest insights and community stories in this week’s newsletter.

P.S. For our loyal followers, here’s a sneak peek—we will soon release a take on how Trump’s return to power could be a game-changer for some Asian economies. Stay tuned! 🚀

If you find this newsletter interesting, refer it to your friends by sharing this link and receive amazing gifts from AHN!

COMPANIES DISCOVERED ✅

Zen Coast
Zen Coast University (ZCU) and Asian Hustle Network (AHN) have partnered to empower Asian entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals. The collaboration aims to provide actionable insights, mentorship, and growth opportunities. 

To join, complete the form on our website.

Hook Logistics
Hook Logistics is a team of operations experts providing simple, steadfast, and fair fulfillment services for entrepreneurs.

Paired
Paired helps businesses find the top overseas talent for as low as $5/hour. Our intensive search and outreach processes help us find amazing rockstars in places like Indonesia, LATAM, and South Africa within two to three weeks!

Starcycle
Starcycle is the "TurboTax for windup" — we help companies shut down faster by streamlining compiling, fact-finding, and other pre-filing admin for founders.

Limited Edition Collectibles
We created a first-of-a-kind LED-wrapped vending machine that sells highly desirable collectible mystery box products to customers of all ages and demographics. 

To order our mystery box machines, fill out this form!

WEEKLY FAVORITES ❤

In this series, AHN will share our top picks from last week—whether it’s music, a movie, or a random item. We hope it brings you fun and maybe even some new experiences!

Love Hangover - JENNIE (BLACKPINK) & Dominic Fike 💘

As is often the case with K-pop solo idols—especially for Blackpink, a worldwide girl group sensation—Jennie found herself on a journey to establish her own musical persona. Love Hangover, featuring Dominic Fike, sees JENNIE fully diverging from Blackpink's pulsating EDM archetype and embracing a more distinctive, rom-com, R&B-leaning style.

“I ain't gonna leave 'til you hate me,” she sings timidly, likening her conflicted “love hangover” to an intoxicating relationship that's too hard to quit (we’ve all been there, right?). The song incorporates cool touches of neo-soul, trip-hop, and R&B, with nuances of ’70s-’80s sounds and rom-com nostalgia, creating a graceful and classic feel. Dominic’s feature enhances the playfulness of the song, further emphasizing that we’re a match made in heaven—equally toxic.

Triveni - Wouter Kellerman, Eru Matsumoto, Chandrika Tandon 🕯️

Around the damages of a “love hangover,” it’s time for some ✨introversion and healing✨. And what better way than to listen to the Grammy-winning record Triveni by the trio Wouter Kellerman, Eru Matsumoto, and Chandrika Tandon? This album just brought home a Grammy for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album. Despite being a lesser-known category, it marks a huge milestone in Asian representation in global music.

Flitting between ancient Vedic chants, carried by melodic flute and cello, the record sheds the tedious mundanity of everyday life, opening a transcendental world of dreams, escape, and self-discovery. The seamless blend of Indian classical music and new-age ambiance stands as a testament to the richness and depth of Asian cultures.

Trump’s Trade War Gambit Could Reshape Southeast Asia’s Future ❔

US President Donald Trump has proposed a 60% tariff on imports from China—a tremendously higher rate than ever before—which could relocate production from China to Southeast Asia. However, this may result in severe consequences for supply chains, reduced efficiency, and intensifying trade wars. If China decides to slap back, say hello to fragmented supply chains and just more chaos and extra costs. 

Southeast Asian countries are regional hotspots for manufacturing and electronics. The two neighboring countries—Malaysia and Singapore—are already two frenemies renowned for advanced chip production and testing, while Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines have become destinations for assembly and lower-cost manufacturing.

However, even though the benefits of the production shift are bountiful, it’s definitely not smooth sailing. A potential division in supply chains may emerge, and it’s like a high school drama club all over again—two rival cliques were born, with one squad with the US and Europe and the other with China. Some industries, such as rare earths and semiconductors, may encounter difficulties since China runs the game. If the trade war escalates, the world may face an economic crisis similar to the Great Depression, leading to inflated costs and inefficient global trade. Buckle up, y’all—this ride won’t be easy.

Read the full article here.

How a Cambodian American Entrepreneur Founded a Long-Term Care Platform 👩‍⚕️

Long-term care is often overlooked until it's too late. While studying aerospace engineering, Lily Vittayarukskul witnessed her brother and mother struggle with illnesses requiring extensive care. The challenge deepened when her aunt was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Even with insurance, finding quality care was daunting, and the financial strain was overwhelming. As a member of a Cambodian immigrant family, Lily experienced the challenges of caregiving firsthand, but the financial burden became unbearable.

Finally, in December 2021, she decided to take action by founding Waterlily, a San Francisco-based startup aimed at helping individuals and financial advisors navigate long-term care planning through cost modeling and funding strategies. Using AI, Waterlily predicts future care needs, creates personalized plans, and identifies funding options like insurance, annuities, or self-funding. 

Looking ahead, Waterlily plans to expand into disability, critical illness, and Medicare planning while eyeing international markets in Asia, Canada, and the U.K.

Read the full article here.

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ❔

As Trump’s tariffs become inevitable (yes, we know he is postponing his tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month, but it is just one month…), who do you think will most likely face the consequences?

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Five Effective Tips to Optimize Your CTA Button With AHN Group

It’s simple: No call-to-action (CTA) button, no conversion. A CTA is the primary element in your landing page, calling visitors to do a certain action that takes them down your marketing funnel. 

A call-to-action button can be rendered useless if not used correctly, but according to AdRoll, placing this button strategically on your Facebook page can increase the click-through rate by over 280%. Optimize your call-to-action button with AHN Group’s services and see your conversions skyrocket.

If you want to explore our services more, visit the AHN Group website at ahngroup.co.

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with ASPIRE’s Lunar New Year Networking Event!

Join Asian Hustle Network and ASPIRE on Wednesday, 12 February, for an evening of celebration, connection, and opportunity. This date marks the conclusion of the 15 days of Lunar New Year festivities, making it the perfect time to come together and commemorate the season. This cocktail-style event will take place in a private function room at:

📍 CQ Bar, Level 1, 113 Queen St, Melbourne
📅 Wednesday, 12 February, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

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💲 Financial self-care is hard, let alone turning it into a daily habit. However, with practice like avoiding impulsive buying and sticking to proper budgets, your financial well-being will improve. Here are other valuable tips to aid you in your daily practice of financial self-care.

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