Manufacturing the world's most advanced semiconductors demands a massive, uninterrupted supply of electricity. In Taiwan, the technology sector alone accounts for a staggering one-quarter of the economy's total power consumption. However, the war in the Middle East is exposing deep vulnerabilities for both South Korea and Taiwan, as these vital chipmaking hubs rely heavily on oil, LNG and chemical gases flowing through the region.

If the conflict drags on, exactly how long can strategic energy reserves last in Seoul and Taipei? Could sudden power shortages during the high-demand summer peak season derail the global rollout of AI infrastructure? And what emergency measures can policymakers implement to secure their grids, such as shifting generation mixes or pivoting back to nuclear power?

Bum Ki Son, Barclays’ senior regional economist covering South Korea and Taiwan, and Dave Dai, its head of APAC sustainable investing research, join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. They unpack the energy choke points threatening the region's tech dominance and explore the viable alternatives for sourcing power.

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The Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered one of the largest energy supply shocks in modern history, sending Brent crude surging past $100 a barrel. With nearly 80% of the trapped crude and LNG destined for Asia, the region is exceptionally vulnerable to these bottlenecks. But the crisis extends well beyond energy – crippled supplies of critical inputs such as helium, aluminum and fertilizers threaten a broader inflationary spike across regional manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

This creates a complex dilemma for monetary policymakers. Central banks must navigate the sudden inflationary jolt of $100 oil against the structural headwinds of slowing growth and the threat of AI-related job losses. The balancing act is proving especially tricky for the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of Japan. Louis Kuijs, Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at S&P Global Ratings, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the vulnerabilities of Asia's net energy importers, the outlook for regional currencies, and why central bankers face an unenviable trade-off.

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China has long relied on massive infrastructure spending and an unstoppable export engine, leading to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year. However, this investment-heavy strategy is testing its limits as global trading partners increasingly push back, making Beijing's transition toward a consumption-based economy more critical than ever.

But how achievable is this transition, and how long will it take? Hao Hong, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer at Lotus Asset Management, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to weigh in. He also breaks down the current regime shift in raw materials, explaining why the global economy is entering a new commodity supercycle driven by Western supply chain investments, AI infrastructure demands and a decade of severe industry underinvestment.

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