FRESNOFORECLOSURE

Singapore’s deep reliance on global trade has always been a strength, but it also leaves the city-state vulnerable when geopolitical tides shift.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) warning that US tariffs will trigger a “broader negative income and demand shock” is sobering, if not surprising. With 11 per cent of Singapore’s exports headed to the US, and over half now exposed to a baseline 10 per cent tariff, the implications are immediate: weaker corporate earnings, tighter household budgets, and a dampened growth outlook.

It’s not just the direct hit to exports that matters. As MAS notes, the secondary effects — higher production costs, constrained global demand — will ripple through Singapore’s open economy.

The risk is especially acute given that key sectors like semiconductors and pharma, currently spared, could soon face new scrutiny under US national security reviews.

The backdrop could not be more delicate. With GDP forecasts downgraded to 0-2% growth and a general election looming on May 03, rising cost-of-living pressures are front and centre for voters.

Singapore’s government is right to push hard for concessions on critical sectors like pharmaceuticals and AI chips, but ultimately, resilience will require deeper economic diversification in an increasingly fractured world.

Check out below for the latest updates on Southeast Asia’s fast-growing startup ecosystem:

REGIONAL

US tariffs will cause demand shock to the Singapore economy: Central bank
The central bank, MAS, said the tariffs were a production tax on producers and exporters that would impact corporate incomes and profits and constrain aggregate demand in the city-state.

Thunes nets US$150M Series D to expand in US
The cross-border payments firm also plans to invest in its global payment network, which operates in over 130 countries, supports more than 80 currencies, and connects with 550 payment systems.

AnyMind enters Vietnam with acquisition of social commerce agency Vibula
The acquisition will allow Vibula customers to utilise a human-AI hybrid live commerce model, paving the way for a 24/7 sales channel.

Women-led MSEs in Jakarta face growing risks: Report
As digital technology continues to penetrate the Indonesian capital city’s economy, exposure to consumer protection risks grows.

Bukalapak injects US$44M into 10 subsidiaries
This transaction involves the issuance of new shares | According to Bukalapak’s Corporate Secretary, Cut Fika Lutfi, this capital increase is part of the company’s broader business strategy.

SG home decor startup Livspace raises US$50M ahead of IPO
The funding was achieved through a rights issue | This capital infusion is part of Livspace’s plan to move its domicile back to India as it prepares for an IPO.

Meet the 2 SEA finalists selected for PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator
Each finalist of Greenhouse Accelerator will receive a US$20K grant and the winner will bag US$100K for scaling its business.

Malaysian state Negeri Sembilan emerges as new data centre hub
Two data centres are under development in the state | One will be a green data centre funded by US investors, while the other data centre will be an AI centre by Malaysian firm Gamuda Bhd.

TikTok’s US leadership restructures due to regulatory pressure
Nicole Le Bourgeois, who leads TikTok Shop’s US operations, no longer directly reports to TikTok e-commerce head Bob Kang Zeyu.

REPORTS AND FEATURES

Cradlewise: The smart crib that caught Sam Altman’s eye
At the heart of Cradlewise is intelligent technology | The crib uses a contactless monitor to detect subtle early signs of a baby stirring and proactively soothes them with gentle motions and sounds.

The fast and the scalable: Southeast Asia’s 30 SaaS rocketships you should know
Southeast Asia’s SaaS sector is booming, driven by SME demand, investor confidence, and growing cloud infrastructure across key markets.

Travel redefined: Virtual tourism and social travel take centre stage
People are increasingly seeking more fulfilment in richer experiences, prompting an increased desire for remote and exclusive destinations.

INTERNATIONAL

Musk’s xAI Holdings in talks to raise US$20B
The funding could help alleviate X’s substantial debt burden, which is costing the company a whopping US$200M monthly in servicing fees, with annual interest expenses exceeding US$1.3B by the end of last year.

VinFast sees 296% surge in global deliveries in Q1
The company delivered 36,330 EVs globally in Q1 2025 | VF 3 (mini-SUV) and VF 5 accounted for 67% of total deliveries during the quarter, indicating strong market acceptance for VinFast’s compact and agile urban vehicle lines.

DeepSeek returns to South Korea after suspension
The app was pulled from download platforms in February 2025, but has now updated its privacy policy to comply with South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act.

Temu shoppers now pay Trump tariffs, prices double
Starting May 2, items shipped from China will incur either a 120% ad-valorem tax or a minimum fee of US$100 per item | Customers are required to pay these taxes in addition to the original prices of the products.

SEMICONDUCTOR

MIDA, Bintang Capital launch new semiconductor fund in Malaysia
The Bintang Semiconductor Impact Fund I is designed to support the local semiconductor industry while promoting sustainable practices and social impact | It targets firms within & adjacent to the semiconductor value chain, with sustainable practices.

Japan, Vietnam sign agreements on semiconductors, clean energy
Japan’s Ishiba strengthens ties with Vietnam, focusing on the semiconductor industry and clean energy cooperation amid US tariff tensions.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Why leading companies are prioritising human-centric AI in 2025 and beyond
Prioritising human-centric AI means building a sustainable, innovative, and customer-focused business, not just following tech trends.

Navigating the AI revolution: An APAC perspective on workforce transformation
APAC is poised to lead the global AI-driven workforce shift by aligning technology with culture, strategy, and talent development.

Unlocking your creativity and productivity with AI content tools
The secret is to recognise the obstacles to productivity and use cutting-edge technologies to overcome them.

How to use Gen AI-enabled chatbots for workplace safety?
By using the power of Gen AI, industries can not only meet but exceed current safety standards, setting a new benchmark for the future.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

A new hip, a new era: Meticuly, a Thai startup, is rewriting the rules of surgery with on-site 3D printing
Meticuly and Siriraj Hospital pioneer world’s first on-site 3D-printed hip implant, redefining personalised surgical care.

Market wrap: A week of cautious optimism amid shifting global sentiments
Global markets show cautious optimism as easing US-China trade tensions boost equities, while inflation fears and Bitcoin’s resurgence add complexity.

The future isn’t people or machine — It’s people with machine
Humans will excel at planning, decision-making, and creative thinking, while AI handles data processing, automation, and routine tasks.

Why immigrant entrepreneurs hold the key to Asia’s startup future
Immigrant founders thrive by prioritising resilience, adaptability, and profitability, offering key lessons for Asia’s startup ecosystem.

Cultivating an honest culture: Why leaders should be transparent
Transparent leadership is the key to creating a culture of trust; here’s how we’re seeing future-forward leaders put money where their mouth is.

How to scale talent in Southeast Asia during unprecedented times
Even with the challenges in the market, the predicted ICT market growth rate of 1.4x-1.8x will increase the demand for digital talent.

Employee burnout is real and it needs to be taken seriously
As we navigate the new normal, we are constantly faced with burnout and mental health roadblocks, but how do we navigate them?

From classroom to boardroom: How Singapore’s universities nurture future investment leaders
Singapore’s universities actively foster entrepreneurship and innovation skills among students, enabling them to thrive in dynamic business landscapes.

Why it’s time to hit ‘refresh’ when it comes to addressing the gender diversity gap in the IT sector
There needs to be a concerted effort to make tech professions more enticing to young women and girls to help address the gender balance.

OKR is a startup lifesaver. Here is how to craft them
OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) is a powerful framework. Here is how to make it an essential part of your workflow.

What are the benefits of a culture-based leadership style?
Organisations with a people-first culture often see improvements in customer satisfaction, sales, profitability, and workplace survey results.

How to kill a startup in one move
Startup founders should own the sales process early to stay connected to customer insights and drive growth before scaling.

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The image was generated using ChatGPT.

The post Ecosystem Roundup: MAS warns of tariff shock | Thunes raises US$150M | 30 SEA SaaS rocketships to watch appeared first on e27.