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Articles by Benjamin Ho
Trump-Xi summit: tactical concessions but little strategic breakthrough
Both Beijing and Washington can claim some kind of victory from the summit without giving up much Add BT as a preferred source That Trump (left) was quoted as saying he had “made no commitment either way” on Taiwan while noting that Xi (right) “feels very strongly” suggests a wide gap in how both leaders view the issue. PHOTO: REUTERS Published Sun, May 17, 2026 · 03:34 PM A COMMON refrain in international politics is that the “enemy of my enemy is my friend”.
Prep Now For the California Workplace Know Your Rights Act: Action Required by February 1
By February 1, 2026, employers must give California employees a notice explaining their constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement at the workplace, their immigration rights and protections, their rights to workers’ compensation benefits, their rights to organize or engaged in concerted activity, and other “new legal developments.” And by March 30, 2026, employers must allow their California employees to name an emergency contact who the employer will notify if the employer...
United States: ID&E IMPACT - Protecting Against Unintended Discrimination During Layoffs (Video chat)
Find out more about Lexology or get in touch by visiting our About page. Click here to watch the video. As volatility and uncertainty in the global economy continues, many multinationals are taking (or considering) major changes to their workforce composition. Labor costs are typically the largest cost center for any company, so of course businesses need to understand how best to flex up and down as markets change.
United States: Checking in on employee handbooks for US and multinational employers (Video chat)
Click here to watch the video. Employee handbooks have recently come to the forefront of employers' key priorities. Why? The NLRB’s recent decision in Stericycle adopted a retroactive “employee friendly” standard for workplace rules, including those often included in handbooks. In addition, the new year often rings in new laws requiring changes to workplace policies likely to be included in handbooks.
Keeping Up With The Latest Employment Law Developments For Multinational Employers Operating in Asia
Earlier this month, we recorded an action-packed webinar with several of our Baker McKenzie colleagues to discuss the major developments impacting multinational employers operating in Asia. For your convenience, click here for a link to the recording.
Commentary: Why strongman politics will define US-China relations for now
SINGAPORE: During the Shangri-La Dialogue over the weekend, United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth alluded to America's war-fighting capabilities and characterised its foreign policy under Trump 2.0 as one of “peace through strength”. This proclamation of strength is consistent with US President Donald Trump’s approach to political relations since he took office. Soft power has been eschewed in place of a more muscular and transactional foreign policy.
Strategic Moves Amid Uncertainty: Global Employment Law Update, Trends and Tips Fastpass Webinar Series | Insight | Baker McKenzie
Tune into our annual Global Employment Law webinar series as we bring the world to you. Our Global Employment Law Fastpass webinar series is here again! Every June, we offer four regionally-focused webinars to help you stay up-to-speed on the latest employment law developments around the world.
Our Global Employment Law Fastpass webinar series is here again! Every June, we offer four regionally-focused webinars to help you stay up-to-speed on the latest employment law developments around the world. From tariffs and economic uncertainty to the use of AI in HR, new leave laws, and increased regulatory scrutiny, for multinational employers, navigating the path forward is like solving a Rubik’s cube and demands foresight and strategic thinking.
Enze Han’s The Ripple Effect: China’s Complex Presence in Southeast Asia
Planned and Not: Chinese Influence from the Ground Up in Southeast Asia Alice D. Ba China Seeks Out Southeast Asia: More Than Just Economic Dependency Benjamin Ho Love or Fear? China in Southeast Asia Sharon Seah The Complexity of China–Southeast Asia Relations Alvin Camba Author’s Response: Understanding China’s Complex Presence in Southeast Asia Enze Han Alice D.
Commentary: Trump's 'America First' may be good for smaller countries
SINGAPORE: With Donald Trump officially sworn in as America’s 47th president, pundits are predicting American foreign policy will become more unpredictable and messy. It’s no surprise that Trump’s inaugural speech was directed at the American people – particularly his supporters – and not the international community. Words like "exceptionalism" and "manifest destiny" painted a picture of American might and the ability to wield it against threats at home and abroad.
Commentary: No one wants an Asian NATO, except Japan’s new PM Ishiba
SINGAPORE: Shigeru Ishiba, who became Japan’s new prime minister on Tuesday (Oct 1), surprised many with his proposal of an Asian NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in a commentary penned for the Hudson Institute in September. In his words, "Ukraine today is Asia tomorrow". Mr Ishiba drew parallels between the actions of China to those of Russia, as well as between Taiwan and Ukraine.
Global: Cultivating a healthy workforce strategy
We’re bringing the world to you. Join Baker McKenzie for our annual Global Employment Law webinar series. In the face of intensifying geopolitical risk and continuing economic uncertainty, the challenges for global employers to plan carefully and operate strategically to maintain a thriving workforce is greater than ever.
Global: Cultivating a Healthy Workforce Strategy (Webinar)
Upcoming Webinar | Upcoming Webinar Series | June 2024 We’re bringing the world to you. Join Baker McKenzie for our annual Global Employment Law webinar series. In the face of intensifying geopolitical risk and continuing economic uncertainty, the challenges for global employers to plan carefully and operate strategically to maintain a thriving workforce is greater than ever.
Daniela Liévano Bahamón
In the face of intensifying geopolitical risk and continuing economic uncertainty, the challenges for global employers to plan carefully and operate strategically to maintain a thriving workforce is greater than ever.
Commentary: Will the Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin bromance last?
SINGAPORE: The bromance between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin seems to be still going strong. The two leaders have met more than 40 times, including virtually, over the past decade. They added to that count last week with Mr Putin’s two-day state visit to China, with a pledge of a “new era” in China-Russia relations. But make no mistake: This is not a marriage of convenience.
Special Delivery: The PWFA Final Rule Has Arrived
Employers have been eagerly awaiting the EEOC’s Final Rule to implement the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act (PWFA), and it’s (finally!) here. On April 15, the EEOC issued the Final Rule, which largely follows the proposed rule (we blogged about the proposed rule here, and about the PWFA here). The Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2024 and will take effect on June 18, 2024. There are no major surprises for employers, but the Final Rule has arrived with a bit of controversy.
E-commerce in Thailand expected to reach 700 billion baht in 2024
The growth of the e-commerce sector in Thailand is driven by increased internet usage and online purchases, with many businesses registering in this sector. The e-commerce segment in Thailand is expected to reach 700 billion baht this year, driven by a significant increase in business registrations and consumer adoption of technology for retail purchases.
Pregnant Pause: The EEOC’s Delay In Issuing Final Regulations For The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Does Not Delay Compliance
You’re not alone in wondering where the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) final regulations to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”) are. In fact, they are well past their due date. The PWFA became effective on June 27, 2023. In August 2023, the EEOC published proposed regulations to implement the PWFA. (We outlined the proposed regulations in our blog here, and about the PWFA here).
Don't Miss California's Noncompete Notice Requirement (Deadline 2/14/24) |Review Equity Award Agreements & Other Employment-Related Contracts ASAP
Special thanks to co-authors Thomas Asmar, Victor Flores, Denise Glagau, Christopher Guldberg, Jen Kirk, Maura Ann McBreen, Lindsay Minnis, Kela Shang, Aimee Soodan and Brian Wydajewski. As many readers likely know, last fall California doubled-down on the state’s hostility to noncompete agreements. Assembly Bill 1076 codified the landmark 2008 Edward v. Arthur Andersen decision that invalidated all employment noncompetes, including narrowly tailored ones, unless they satisfy a statutory exception.
MTSGF, PI, KGI, YUANTA and KTX win 2023 TFEX Best derivatives brokers Award
Thailand Futures Exchange PCL (TFEX) awarded five derivatives brokers with the “TFEX Best Award 2023”, comprising the “TFEX Best Award of Honor” and the “Best of the Year”, in recognition of their excellence in trading, servicing and expanding customer base, as well as market maker performance.
Unlicensed securities business operator charged by SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a criminal complaint with the Economic Crime Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police (ECD) against Mr. Morakot Chaithongkum for operating a securities business without a license. The SEC has filed a criminal complaint against Mr. Morakot Chaithongkum for operating a securities business without a license, based on evidence of conducting investment activities without the necessary authorization.
Thailand Steps Up Efforts to Combat Counterfeit Goods
Thailand is taking strong measures to combat the proliferation of counterfeit products online in order to safeguard property rights and uphold its international reputation. Thailand is stepping up its efforts to combat the production and distribution of counterfeit goods, which pose a serious threat to the country’s economy, public health and reputation.
S&P keeps Thailand’s credit rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook
S&P, a global credit rating company, has affirmed Thailand’s rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook, citing the country’s growth potential and financial stability. S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Thailand’s sovereign credit ratings at ‘BBB+’ with a stable outlook. The ratings reflect the country’s strong external balance sheet, moderate government debt, and conventional fiscal and monetary policies.
United States: Checking in on employee handbooks for US and multinational employers (Video chat)
In brief Employee handbooks have recently come to the forefront of employers’ key priorities. Why? The NLRB’s recent decision in Stericycle adopted a retroactive “employee friendly” standard for workplace rules, including those often included in handbooks. In addition, the new year often rings in new laws requiring changes to workplace policies likely to be included in handbooks.
Checking In On Employee Handbooks for US And Multinational Employers (Video)
Employee handbooks are at the top of employers’ key priorities. Why? The NLRB’s recent decision in Stericycle adopted a retroactive “employee friendly” standard for workplace rules, including those often included in handbooks. In addition, the new year often rings in new laws requiring changes to workplace policies often included in handbooks.
United States: ID&E IMPACT - Checking in on employee handbooks for US and multinational employers (Video chat)
Click here to watch the video. Why? The NLRB’s recent decision in Stericycle adopted a retroactive “employee friendly” standard for workplace rules, including those often included in handbooks. In addition, the new year often rings in new laws requiring changes to workplace policies likely to be included in handbooks.
5 Surprises In New Federal Pregnancy Law's Proposed Regulations
This August, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission published proposed regulations to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which became effective June 27. The new law requires covered employers to “provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee’s or applicant’s known limitation related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions,” unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship.
5 Surprises In New Pregnancy Law's Proposed Regulations
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5 Ways the Proposed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Regs Might Catch US Employers By Surprise
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently published proposed regulations to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (which became effective June 27, 2023).
Commentary: Reading the chess move of Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro chip breakthrough in US-China tech war
SINGAPORE: Chinese mobile phone company Huawei unveiled its latest Mate 60 Pro that the world has since learnt is powered by a 7-nanometre processor. This has raised concerns about the efficacy of American restrictions on advanced semiconductors and the extent to which Beijing was able to circumvent them. Produced by Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), the 7nm chip represents a breakthrough in Chinese chipmaking ability.
Political ideology of nonprofit organizations
Objective This article provides a novel measure of nonprofit political ideology using semantic text analysis of public Internal Revenue Service filings. It explores the relationship between electoral competition and private donations. Methods Mission statements of over 150,000 U.S. nonprofits are matched to Congressional speeches to classify ideology on a political spectrum. The measure is validated against established ideology scores.
China’s Rising Influence in the Middle East
This Q&A was adapted from a Carnegie live event assessing China-Middle East relations following Iran and Saudi Arabia’s agreement to restore diplomatic ties. It has been edited for clarity. Paul Haenle: How you think the Middle East sees the United States responding to China’s rising influence in the region? Maha Yahya: Unfortunately, I think many see the United States as saying one thing and meaning another on multiple fronts, not just in terms of China.
Thuy Hang Nguyen
In an effort to address Vietnam’s historical perception as a high-risk compliance jurisdiction, the Vietnamese government has recently implemented a series of regulatory and practical measures to significantly reduce corrupt practices in the country.
Snap Insight: What progress did US Secretary of State Blinken make in China visit? Original
Commentary US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials, even in the absence of clear policy outcomes, is better than no conversation, says S Rajaratnam School of International Studies assistant professor Benjamin Ho. SINGAPORE: United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday (Jun 19), capping a highly anticipated trip to Beijing that had generated hopes US-China relations would improve.
Global Employment Law Fastpass | Listen in to our Americas Update
With special thanks to our presenters Matías Herrero (Argentina), Leticia Ribeiro (Trench Rossi Watanabe, Sao Paulo*), Andrew Shaw (Canada), Maria Cecilia Reyes (Colombia) and Liliana Hernandez-Salgado (Mexico). In this session, US-based multinational employers with business operations in the Americas region hear directly from Benjamin Ho and local practitioners on the major developments they need to know, and come away with practical tips and takeaways to implement.
Global Employment Law Fastpass | Listen in to our Americas Update
Click here to watch the video. With special thanks to our presenters Matías Herrero (Argentina), Leticia Ribeiro (Trench Rossi Watanabe, Sao Paulo*), Andrew Shaw (Canada), Maria Cecilia Reyes (Colombia) and Liliana Hernandez-Salgado (Mexico). In this session, US-based multinational employers with business operations in region hear directly from Benjamin Ho and local practitioners on the major developments they need to know, and come away with practical tips and takeaways to implement.
Can US Employers Finally Leave COVID-19 in the Rearview Mirror?
The Road Ahead Following the April 10 End of the National Emergency We have all grown accustomed to hand sanitizer, 6-feet distance markings in hallways, face masks–and the back and forth of surging and waning COVID-19 levels in the workplace and the community. But with President Biden’s April 10 termination of the COVID-19 national emergency, can these pandemic mainstays–and employers’ pandemic policies and procedures–finally be relegated to a distant memory? Should they be?
ICYMI: New Federal Obligations for Employers to Provide Breaks for Nursing Mothers and Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Women
California has required all employers to provide lactation breaks (unless they can show that to do so would “seriously disrupt” their operations) since 2020. The federal government caught up late last year with the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act). PUMP Act — The Basics Effective December 29, 2022, the PUMP Act expands workplace protections for employees with a need to express breast milk.
ICYMI: New Federal Obligations for Employers to Provide Breaks for Nursing Mothers and Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Women
California has required all employers to provide lactation breaks (unless they can show that to do so would “seriously disrupt” their operations) since 2020. The federal government caught up late last year with the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act). PUMP Act — The Basics Effective December 29, 2022, the PUMP Act expands workplace protections for employees with a need to express breast milk.
ICYMI: New Federal Obligations for Employers to Provide Breaks for Nursing Mothers and Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Women
Caroline Burnett is a Knowledge Lawyer in Baker McKenzie’s North America Employment & Compensation Group. Caroline is passionate about analyzing trends in US and global employment law and developing innovative solutions to help multinationals stay ahead of the curve. Prior to joining Baker… Caroline Burnett is a Knowledge Lawyer in Baker McKenzie’s North America Employment & Compensation Group.
International: Global Employment Law Fastpass for United States Multinationals (Webinar Series Invitation)
In brief Join us for a four-part webinar series as our US moderators welcome colleagues from around the globe to share the latest labor and employment law updates and trends. US-based multinational employers with business operations in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas regions will hear directly from local practitioners on the major developments they need to know, and come away with practical tips and takeaways to implement.
Global Employment Law Fastpass for US Multinationals
Skip to content Join us for a four-part webinar series as our US moderators welcome colleagues from around the globe to share the latest labor and employment law updates and trends. US-based multinational employers with business operations in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas regions will hear directly from local practitioners on the major developments they need to know, and come away with practical tips and takeaways to implement.
California Seeks to Ban Most Criminal Background Checks
California legislators met on April 11, 2023 to discuss a proposed overhaul of employment-related criminal background checks. Simply put, if the Fair Chance Act of 2023 (SB 809) is passed into law, California will have the most restrictive criminal background check law in the country, and will significantly limit the way California employers can vet applicants for employment.
Global Employment Law Fastpass for US Multinationals (Webinar Series)
Join us for a four-part webinar series as our US moderators welcome colleagues from around the globe to share the latest labor and employment law updates and trends. US-based multinational employers with business operations in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas regions will hear directly from local practitioners on the major developments they need to know, and come away with practical tips and takeaways to implement.
ID&E IMPACT: Protecting Against Unintended Discrimination During Layoffs (Video)
As volatility and uncertainty in the global economy continues, many multinationals are taking (or considering) major changes to their workforce composition. Labor costs are typically the largest cost center for any company, so of course businesses need to understand how best to flex up and down as markets change. At the same time, a company’s greatest assets are its people so changes must be implemented precisely, thoughtfully and artfully.
ID&E IMPACT: Protecting Against Unintended Discrimination During Layoffs (Video)
Click here to watch the video. As volatility and uncertainty in the global economy continues, many multinationals are taking (or considering) major changes to their workforce composition. Labor costs are typically the largest cost center for any company, so of course businesses need to understand how best to flex up and down as markets change. At the same time, a company’s greatest assets are its people so changes must be implemented precisely, thoughtfully and artfully.
United States: Practical considerations when addressing new DOJ Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks Pilot Program
In brief On 3 March 2023, the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published details of a three-year Pilot Program Regarding Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks (“Compensation Pilot Program“). The Compensation Pilot Program is effective 15 March 2023 and from that date it will be applicable to all corporate criminal matters handled by the DOJ Criminal Division.
United States: Practical considerations when addressing new DOJ Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks Pilot Program
In brief On 3 March 2023, the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published details of a three-year Pilot Program Regarding Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks (“Compensation Pilot Program“). The Compensation Pilot Program is effective 15 March 2023 and from that date it will be applicable to all corporate criminal matters handled by the DOJ Criminal Division.
Practical Considerations When Addressing New DOJ Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks Program
On March 3, 2023, the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) published details of a three year Pilot Program Regarding Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks (the “Compensation Pilot Program”). The Compensation Pilot Program is effective March 15, 2023 and from that date it will be applicable to all corporate criminal matters handled by the DOJ Criminal Division.
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