Daniel Moss
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Daniel Moss
@mosseco.bsky.social
Columnist @Opinion in Singapore. Stints as executive editor, FX tsar, podcaster & Malaysia bureau chief.
For India's monetary chiefs, this is a Janet Yellen moment. The former Fed chair called the failure of US inflation to fire in the 2010s "a mystery." Today, anemic prices confront Mumbai. A big policy shift is warranted. My column explains

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What India Can Do About Its Low Inflation Problem
India’s economy, so often touted for potential to supplant China as a global engine, is having a hard time getting its arms around inflation. Not that it's too high, but because the pace of price incr...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Indonesia has a problem with towering economic goals — it can’t seem to shake ambitions that border on the implausible.
Growth is locked at 5%. Not much moves the needle. So why the target of 8%, something last seen in the Suharto era? My column explains

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Indonesia Should Forget 8% Growth and Face Reality
Indonesia has a problem with towering economic goals — it can’t seem to shake ambitions that border on the implausible. Consider targeting 8% growth, something last achieved in 1995.
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Malaysia has been notching some wins lately. PM Anwar had a good Asean summit, the currency is rallying -- and growth has exceeded estimates. A small taste of the good old days. But challenges are piling up and hard work awaits. My column explains

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Malaysia Got Its Mojo Back. But for How Long?
It's a small taste of the good old days for Malaysia. The currency is buoyant, growth is strong and the premier just hosted a summit where he was hailed for his dealmaking and diplomatic nous. The cou...
www.bloomberg.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:22 AM
The price of keeping up with the Joneses — especially when it comes to educating children — can be added to the causes of a likely decline in the earth’s population this century. Hard choices need to be made. My column explains

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How Keeping Up With the Joneses Determines Fertility
In the debate about tumbling fertility levels, the high cost of raising children, delays in marriage, access to birth control, and the career aspirations of women are usually subjected to scrutiny. Ev...
www.bloomberg.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I was skeptical about the tag "trade-war winner" often thrown around in discussions about Vietnam — it implied no challenges and that replicating China's strategy was cost free. I may have been a bit harsh. The latest numbers are impressive. My column explains

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Can Anything Stop Vietnam’s Turbocharged Growth?
In a lackluster global economy, Vietnam’s problems are good ones to have. The key challenge for this star Southeast Asian exporter is hitting a sky-high target for growth this year.
www.bloomberg.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Despite the doomsaying, the greenback is as entrenched as ever. The latest BIS numbers show the dollar on one side of 89.2% of FX trades, a small gain. The euro went backwards. The Chinese yuan improved its standing -- from a very low base. My column explains

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Best Evidence Yet That the Dollar Isn’t Dead
To say the roof hasn’t caved in on the dollar is an understatement. Despite the doomsaying that was pervasive after the White House imposed sweeping tariffs, the greenback is as entrenched in the cogs...
www.bloomberg.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:47 AM
While China's export juggernaut has encountered stiff resistance in the US, factories are sending volumes of cheap products to the rest of Asia. Consumers will find that attractive, but local manufacturers may fear it. My column explains.

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Why This China Shock Will Hit Close to Home
During the salad days of global supply chains, the benefits of being on cordial terms with China were barely questioned. Being in the same neighborhood was considered better yet. It was a ticket to ev...
www.bloomberg.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Central bankers are big believers in free markets. The global emporium for their skills seems robust enough, and Anna Breman's appointment sends a strong signal. But it may not be one that RBNZ insiders are entirely comfortable with. My column explains.

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Why a Swedish Banker Is an Antidote for the Besieged RBNZ
There’s a burgeoning global market for monetary talent. It made perfect sense for New Zealand to look beyond its shores.
www.bloomberg.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Indonesia is clearly on the cusp of a transformation. But in what image? One place Indonesia should refrain from emulating is Turkey, a country whose fairly strong growth record masks steep challenges. My column explains.

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Indonesia Should Learn From Turkey, Not Emulate It
It’s fine for Prabowo to copy success. But Turkey’s lesson is one to avoid, unless he wants truly high inflation.
www.bloomberg.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:28 AM
The years have been kind to the Plaza Accord. It was the high point of post-World War II financial diplomacy. Despite many pretenders in the years since, few agreements have come close. My column with @gearoidreidy.bsky.social explains.

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Why the Plaza Accord Is Still the Gold Standard
Let’s salute the landmark currency agreement of 40 years ago. Getting such a deal today would be a mighty struggle.
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September 17, 2025 at 6:26 AM
This might not sound like a policy revolution. But it represents a shift — and a tricky one to just get right. The more so given the abrupt exit of the respected finance minister. My column today explains.

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Prabowo Is Testing Investors’ Trust With His Finance Plan
The central bank is being enlisted to fund ambitious programs. The new finance minister needs to tread carefully.
www.bloomberg.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Indrawati was a reassuring figure for investors over more than a decade. But her once sky-high stock had become diminished. Removing her was a risky step, but not so dangerous as it might have been had Prabowo pushed her out in the last year. My column explains.

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Indonesia’s Star Finance Minister Falls to Earth
Sri Mulyani was a very effective advocate for her nation. But even her credibility had limits.
www.bloomberg.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The 1980s were a golden age. Major reforms laid the ground for a long boom. But there is now soul searching. Can the magic be recovered? Shifts don't have to be quite so massive, they just have to move things forward. Keep at it, Australia. My column explains.

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Can Australia Achieve a Third Golden Age?
The ’80s and ’90s were the heydays of reform. The challenge now is how to move forward.
www.bloomberg.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Reordering a country of Indonesia’s size isn’t done easily or without frictions. To make Indonesia Inc. sustainable, Prabowo could do worse than take a breath — and try to bring everyone along. My column puts unrest in a broad economic context.

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Indonesia Inc. Cannot Take Refuge in Patriotism
The president backs a nationalist style of capitalism. Public anger and mass protests show that not everyone is buying the pitch.
www.bloomberg.com
September 1, 2025 at 1:50 AM
While Powell was undoubtedly the main attraction at Jackson Hole, there were other weighty issues on the table. The role of men — and societal values — in declining fertility was among them. We fathers can do better. My column explains

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Why Dads, Not ‘Duds,’ Matter for the Baby Bust
Don’t overlook cultural factors when talking about fertility. We fathers can do better.
www.bloomberg.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:45 AM
As strong as Vietnam’s performance has been, it needs to brace for more difficult times. Communist leaders want to develop a modern financial system -- and a central bank that’s fit for the task of managing it. My column explains

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Vietnam’s Next Big Challenge Is All About Money
Central bank reforms that reflect the power of markets are long overdue.
www.bloomberg.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:48 AM
After an encouraging start to the year, China's expansion is in trouble. But authorities have given little sign they are prepared to jettison the caution that has characterized their actions. Beijing seems intent to just muddle through. My column explains

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China’s Economy Needs Help, But Will It Come?
Poor data show the limits of Beijing’s wait-and-see approach.
www.bloomberg.com
August 19, 2025 at 1:47 AM
It’s notable that countries aren't lining up to fire back. With the exception of China, which has escalated and retreated to match US rhythms, there have been few reprisals. But the nations humiliated won't forget this experience. My column explains

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Is Anybody Fighting Back in This Trade War?
Countries aren’t lining up to retaliate against US tariffs and the global economy hasn’t cratered. Give it time.
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August 15, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Bad news can only be massaged so much. DC statisticians do a decent job, no matter what Trump says. I've reported on data from places that could have been fairly equated with bananas — and some that should have known better. My column explains.

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Breaking the World’s Addiction to US Statistics Is Hard
American economic reports aren’t perfect, but the global economy can’t do without them.
www.bloomberg.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Indonesia's free lunch program is a massive undertaking. It's hard to fault the goal, but in a nation of more than 280 million people, someone has to pick up a hefty check. Can Jakarta afford it? My column explains the stakes

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Indonesia’s Free-Lunch Plan Will Cost Prabowo
Meals for every student is a laudable initiative, but paying for it is a challenge.
www.bloomberg.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:26 AM
What if tariffs are as much about looking tough as achieving results? If so, then there’s little that America’s partners can do to satisfy US demands — assuming they’re even intended to be met. And that they won’t change. My column explains

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Trade Isn’t Supposed to Be Emotional. It Is Now
Trump’s tariffs are as much about drama as economics.
www.bloomberg.com
June 26, 2025 at 2:47 AM
The Philippines can count its lucky stars that manufacturing never really took off. When supply chains began winding through neighbors, the archipelago was largely overlooked. It's now less exposed to tariffs. My column explains 

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Being the Odd One Out Is Working for the Philippines
It escaped with one of Trump’s lightest tariffs in Southeast Asia, but can’t rely on the vulnerability of neighbors.
www.bloomberg.com
June 23, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Even tourism, usually something the country can fall back on during soft patches, is enduring a slowdown. HBO’s hit show The White Lotus — set on Koh Samui — garnered millions of viewers but failed to pay big dividends for the kingdom. My column explains

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Thailand Is Languishing at Just the Wrong Moment
The kingdom dragged its feet on long-brewing economic problems. It’s not ready for Trump’s tariffs.
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June 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
The country sure has a lot on its plate. It should avoid going overboard on sweating demographics. That’s not an existential issue — yet. Trade, so closely linked with industrialization, is the more vital and immediate front

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Vietnam Has Far Bigger Worries Than Its Baby Bust
The government sought fewer kids and more exports. Only the latter now truly warrants concern.
www.bloomberg.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:37 AM
The tragedy of the Mekong: The world's largest inland fishery is facing threats from all sides. My column explains

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China and Its Neighbors Are Ravaging the Mekong
Beijing’s formidable influence has traction because no country or authority officially controls the historic waterway.
www.bloomberg.com
June 11, 2025 at 12:27 AM