Steven Okun

A Republican refusal to overturn election results on January 6 when Congress certifies the election despite presidential pressure offers a chance to loosen Trump's grip on the party, easing the way for greater bipartisanship in Congress.

The Next Four Years: The 2020 US Presidental Election’s impact on International Law and Relations with Asia

A seminar organised by CIL. Moderated by Professor Simon Chesterman, CIL Deputy Chairman and Dean of the Faculty of Law, NUS
Speakers:
Professor Kanti Bajpal, Director, Centre on Asia and Globalisation, NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Mr Steven Okun, Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates
Ms Tina Datta, Head, Republicans Overseas in Singapore
Professor Simon… Show more

The Next Four Years: The 2020 US Presidental Election’s impact on International Law and Relations with Asia

A seminar organised by CIL. Moderated by Professor Simon Chesterman, CIL Deputy Chairman and Dean of the Faculty of Law, NUS
Speakers:
Professor Kanti Bajpal, Director, Centre on Asia and Globalisation, NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Mr Steven Okun, Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates
Ms Tina Datta, Head, Republicans Overseas in Singapore
Professor Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs
Mr Nirmal Ghosh, US Bureau Chief, Straits Times Show less

The allegation of sexual misconduct against Joe Biden is being used by the Trump campaign as a form of voter suppression to have people stay home on Election Day who might have otherwise voted as charges of Democratic hypocrisy could resonate with some.

There is no set playbook on how to politically respond to such an attack.

You can respond per Michelle Obama's "When they go low, we go high".

Or do you counterattack?

As our friend Peter Goelz says, "When you get… Show more

The allegation of sexual misconduct against Joe Biden is being used by the Trump campaign as a form of voter suppression to have people stay home on Election Day who might have otherwise voted as charges of Democratic hypocrisy could resonate with some.

There is no set playbook on how to politically respond to such an attack.

You can respond per Michelle Obama's "When they go low, we go high".

Or do you counterattack?

As our friend Peter Goelz says, "When you get into the mud with a pig, two things happen. You get dirty and the pig likes it." Show less

Covid-19's impact on the 2020 campaign cuts both ways; but, in the end, Trump must convince voters his administration led a successful battle against the "invisible enemy" and that his ability to revive the economy means he is the one to lead the US for the next four years.

The coronavirus crisis is a double-edged sword for Trump". Thurgood Marshall, Jr and I write that while the pandemic may hurt his re-election chances, it also gives him a starring role on the national stage while sidelining Biden. People are dying from the virus. Jobless figures are at a scary record high and he could have taken action sooner. No doubt, if things worsen, Mr Trump's presidency almost certainly comes to an end. But with Biden on the sidelines and Democrats and Republicans in the… Show more

The coronavirus crisis is a double-edged sword for Trump". Thurgood Marshall, Jr and I write that while the pandemic may hurt his re-election chances, it also gives him a starring role on the national stage while sidelining Biden. People are dying from the virus. Jobless figures are at a scary record high and he could have taken action sooner. No doubt, if things worsen, Mr Trump's presidency almost certainly comes to an end. But with Biden on the sidelines and Democrats and Republicans in the Congress putting country over party (so far), if things improve - whether he deserves the credit or not - a second term becomes more likely. Show less

Despite the crashing stock market and Covid-19 crisis, it is premature to write off Donald Trump's re-election chances

The spread of COVID-19 has already begun disrupting plans across the world. Congress must begin thinking about how it could potentially disrupt the upcoming presidential election. The closer the election gets, the harder it will be for both parties to set aside partisan considerations and agree to take actions in the name of the greater good of the nation.

Analysis of how Joe Biden's campaign strategy enabled him to sweep the south on Super Tuesday due to the moderates coalescing around him and the Democratic establishment behind him. But risks remain from the Sanders camp's response.

Rough start for Democrats, but too soon to panic about handing Trump a second term . . . yet. Only two states have voted! Plenty of time for moderates to coalesce. Co-authored my recent column with fellow Clinton (and UVa) alum Thurgood Marshall, Jr for The Straits Times

Commentary and analysis on the state that holds the first presidential voting for both parties and how its outcome will have an impact on the leading Democrats seeking to take on Trump.

My latest commentary for The Straits Times. Most in the audiences to which I speak believe it will based on the economy alone. But there are wild cards (impeachment, Iran and the Democratic nominee) and weak spots (playing solely to his base). A renewal is not assured.

Donald Trump will soon be the third US President impeached. Does that mean he might engineer a foreign policy crisis to distract the American public? Steven Okun provides some perspective. (Spoiler: He will not.)

Op Ed: As the Democratic field narrows, the nominee is likely to come from one of the 3 'B' moderates - Biden, Buttigieg and Bloomberg

My commentary on Singapore Deputy Prime Minister's s 'bridge-building' speech which highlights the proactive approach to income inequality that is one of the core issues of US presidential election

Only in 2020 would Michael Bloomberg have any chance at being the Democratic nominee for President

In hundreds of meetings with officials under both Bush and Obama and the US business community in Asia, discussions were how best to work together. Things are different today. Now, more often, it's about what the US government should stop doing.

With John Holden, discuss Donald Trump’s approach to the trade war with China and how re-election and the state of the US economy weigh heavily on the US President’s mind.

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's and the senior democrats' calculation may say that impeachment is not a good option for now, but that does not mean it's off the table

In a mid-term election, the President’s party starts out with a disadvantage, regardless of the economy’s performance, says Steven R Okun.

Steve Okun offers expert insight for those hoping to break into the tightly-knit world of corporate public affairs. “It’s not going to happen unless you are extremely lucky – and I would not want to rely upon luck alone.” That’s my standard answer whenever someone asks how to break into an in-house government relations role in Asia Pacific.

Governments can be both pro-business and pro-worker by balancing open trade with protectionist measures

While the TPP-11 will be a smaller agreement in that countries will no longer enjoy enhanced US market access, it is still an important agreement as it maintains important trade rules that are necessary for 21st-century businesses; rules that are more high-standard and ambitious than those of any other regional trade agreement.

During his State Visit to the US, Singapore Prime Minister Lee said the following:

“Singapore fervently hopes that the U.S. will stay engaged and maintain its indispensable role in the Asia-Pacific. In particular, we hope, and I’m sure the president shares this hope, that Congress will ratify the TPP soon.”

AmCham Singapore agrees completely. The TPP is not only economically in the US interest, it keeps the US front-and-center as an “indispensable” nation in the Asia… Show more

During his State Visit to the US, Singapore Prime Minister Lee said the following:

“Singapore fervently hopes that the U.S. will stay engaged and maintain its indispensable role in the Asia-Pacific. In particular, we hope, and I’m sure the president shares this hope, that Congress will ratify the TPP soon.”

AmCham Singapore agrees completely. The TPP is not only economically in the US interest, it keeps the US front-and-center as an “indispensable” nation in the Asia Pacific.

In an opinion editorial in the August 24th Straits Times, AmCham Singapore TPP Task Force Chairman Steven Okun and Task Force member and President of the Asia Trade Center Deborah Elms discuss the economic and strategic imperative of having the US Congress pass this TPP in this session and having President Obama sign in into law. Show less

Steve Okun is Director of Asia-Pacific Public Affairs at global investment firm KKR. In this interview, Steve reflects on KKR and Impact Investment Exchange Asia’s social enterprise assistance program and discusses his lessons learned, from the biggest challenges social enterprises face when preparing to raise capital to the importance of assistance beyond capital investment.

East Bali Cashews, recently nominated for the US Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence, is a testament to how businesses can create both a return for investors and a simultaneous out-sized social impact. It also shows how a little support from corporates can go a long way with social enterprises.

Over the next five years, ESG will no doubt be more ubiquitous across the investment process as investors, their partners and stakeholders and regulators recognize the value it brings to the process.

A paralyzed or collapsed TPP process would be seen by America’s allies, partners and competitors across Asia as a body blow not only to the credibility of Washington’s economic leadership, but to our geopolitical position more broadly.

As regional US business leaders prepare for the 2015 APCAC Summit in Singapore, Steven R. Okun and Thomas H. McNutt predict further meaningful engagement between Asia and the United States.

The latest commentary from me and Thurgood foretells how ugly the 2020 campaign will get.

The allegation of sexual misconduct against Joe Biden is being used by the Trump campaign as a form of voter suppression to have people stay home on Election Day who might have otherwise voted as charges of Democratic hypocrisy could resonate with some. There is no set playbook on how to politically respond to such an attack.

You can respond per Michelle Obama's "When they go low, we go… Show more

The latest commentary from me and Thurgood foretells how ugly the 2020 campaign will get.

The allegation of sexual misconduct against Joe Biden is being used by the Trump campaign as a form of voter suppression to have people stay home on Election Day who might have otherwise voted as charges of Democratic hypocrisy could resonate with some. There is no set playbook on how to politically respond to such an attack.

You can respond per Michelle Obama's "When they go low, we go high".

Or do you counterattack?

As our friend Peter Goelz says, "When you get into the mud with a pig, two things happen. You get dirty and the pig likes it." Show less

AmCham Malaysia CEO Siobhan Das together and I wrote an article for The Edge Malaysia on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), citing Malaysia’s role for multinational companies and the importance and benefits of the CPTPP as well as the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP).

“Building Malaysia’s trade policy principles through both the CPTPP and RCEP will enhance the sustainability of the country’s competitiveness. In… Show more

AmCham Malaysia CEO Siobhan Das together and I wrote an article for The Edge Malaysia on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), citing Malaysia’s role for multinational companies and the importance and benefits of the CPTPP as well as the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP).

“Building Malaysia’s trade policy principles through both the CPTPP and RCEP will enhance the sustainability of the country’s competitiveness. In particular, the CPTPP’s institutionalized reforms will help shepherd and accelerate the regulatory ecosystem on key environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.” Show less