United States Studies Centre
@usstudiescentre.bsky.social
The leading think tank analysing US foreign policy, defence, economics, politics and culture. At the University of Sydney.
Analysis of America. Insight for Australia. Solutions for the Alliance.
📅 Events: https://www.ussc.edu.au/events
Analysis of America. Insight for Australia. Solutions for the Alliance.
📅 Events: https://www.ussc.edu.au/events
Despite Trump’s tariffs, Australian exports to the US have surged 20%.
USSC’s Dr John Kunkel says American firms are “swallowing” much of the cost – a sign of limited local substitutes and a still-robust US economy.
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USSC’s Dr John Kunkel says American firms are “swallowing” much of the cost – a sign of limited local substitutes and a still-robust US economy.
Read:
Trump’s trade war backfires as Australian exports to the US surge
Beef and aircraft parts have driven a 20 per cent surge in exports to the US, defying fears Trump’s tariffs and unpredictable decision-making would disrupt trade.
www.afr.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Despite Trump’s tariffs, Australian exports to the US have surged 20%.
USSC’s Dr John Kunkel says American firms are “swallowing” much of the cost – a sign of limited local substitutes and a still-robust US economy.
Read:
USSC’s Dr John Kunkel says American firms are “swallowing” much of the cost – a sign of limited local substitutes and a still-robust US economy.
Read:
Australia has been “laggard” in turning AI safeguards into enforceable law, says USSC’s Olivia Shen — calling for a balanced approach to ensure AI is used safely and responsibly.
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Australia's spy boss warned of a Russian threat — and it's unfolding in real time
Australia's spy chief has expressed concern about the potential for AI to take online radicalisation and disinformation to new levels.
www.sbs.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Australia has been “laggard” in turning AI safeguards into enforceable law, says USSC’s Olivia Shen — calling for a balanced approach to ensure AI is used safely and responsibly.
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For 70 years, the Kim dynasty has defied international pressure — building nuclear weapons, extracting concessions and resisting reform.
In her latest for AIIA, USSC’s Jane Hardy asks who, if anyone, can change things?
Read: https://www.ussc.edu.au/three-kims-narratives-nukes-and-negotiations
In her latest for AIIA, USSC’s Jane Hardy asks who, if anyone, can change things?
Read: https://www.ussc.edu.au/three-kims-narratives-nukes-and-negotiations
Three Kims: Narratives, Nukes and Negotiations
www.ussc.edu.au
November 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
For 70 years, the Kim dynasty has defied international pressure — building nuclear weapons, extracting concessions and resisting reform.
In her latest for AIIA, USSC’s Jane Hardy asks who, if anyone, can change things?
Read: https://www.ussc.edu.au/three-kims-narratives-nukes-and-negotiations
In her latest for AIIA, USSC’s Jane Hardy asks who, if anyone, can change things?
Read: https://www.ussc.edu.au/three-kims-narratives-nukes-and-negotiations
“The existential threat to the liberal order and to American leadership is China, not Venezuela," notes USSC’s Dr Michael Green, as debate over new Pentagon communication restrictions raises broader questions of strategic priority.
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Read:
Gag rule may sink some US subs funding, Pentagon warned
Co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Australia Caucus Joe Courtney has taken aim at new requirements at the Pentagon for communications with congress to be cleared by the Department of Defence's office of legislative affairs.
www.theaustralian.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
“The existential threat to the liberal order and to American leadership is China, not Venezuela," notes USSC’s Dr Michael Green, as debate over new Pentagon communication restrictions raises broader questions of strategic priority.
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Democratic wins in VA, NJ and NYC come amid the government shutdown.
As USSC's Bruce Wolpe notes, “the president owns the economy.” Voters may be signalling frustration — and shifting leverage.
Read:
As USSC's Bruce Wolpe notes, “the president owns the economy.” Voters may be signalling frustration — and shifting leverage.
Read:
Democratic election wins send Trump – and Republicans – a message: Americans blame them for government shutdown
The Republicans have tried to blame Democrats for the shutdown. But in US politics, the president owns the economy, for better or worse.
theconversation.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Democratic wins in VA, NJ and NYC come amid the government shutdown.
As USSC's Bruce Wolpe notes, “the president owns the economy.” Voters may be signalling frustration — and shifting leverage.
Read:
As USSC's Bruce Wolpe notes, “the president owns the economy.” Voters may be signalling frustration — and shifting leverage.
Read:
On this week's Democrat mayoral and gubernatorial wins, "we shouldn't forget where we were 4 years ago, when President Biden was in the White House and we saw that Virginia actually elected a Republican governor," says USSC's Jared Mondschein.
Watch:
Watch:
"Turn the volume up": New York City's mayor-elect calls out Trump | The World | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
On this week's Democrat mayoral and gubernatorial wins, "we shouldn't forget where we were 4 years ago, when President Biden was in the White House and we saw that Virginia actually elected a Republican governor," says USSC's Jared Mondschein.
Watch:
Watch:
“Cheney was also an ‘allies first’ leader in the White House.”
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green reflects on nearly five years working alongside the former Vice President — including how Cheney engaged closely with Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
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USSC CEO Dr Michael Green reflects on nearly five years working alongside the former Vice President — including how Cheney engaged closely with Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
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Remembering Dick Cheney
www.ussc.edu.au
November 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM
“Cheney was also an ‘allies first’ leader in the White House.”
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green reflects on nearly five years working alongside the former Vice President — including how Cheney engaged closely with Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
Read:
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green reflects on nearly five years working alongside the former Vice President — including how Cheney engaged closely with Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
Read:
“As disruptive as he might be, Trump is a risk but also an enormous opportunity for nervous allies,” writes USSC's Dr Lavina Lee.
A shifting nuclear balance in Asia is testing extended deterrence — and underscoring the urgency of AUKUS.
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A shifting nuclear balance in Asia is testing extended deterrence — and underscoring the urgency of AUKUS.
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Why Trump pressed the nuclear weapons testing button
www.ussc.edu.au
November 5, 2025 at 1:19 AM
“As disruptive as he might be, Trump is a risk but also an enormous opportunity for nervous allies,” writes USSC's Dr Lavina Lee.
A shifting nuclear balance in Asia is testing extended deterrence — and underscoring the urgency of AUKUS.
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A shifting nuclear balance in Asia is testing extended deterrence — and underscoring the urgency of AUKUS.
Read:
Despite tensions and tariff threats, recent US-Asia summits strengthened trust in alliances and regional cooperation.
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green explains how leaders in Canberra, Tokyo and Seoul helped steady the relationship.
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USSC CEO Dr Michael Green explains how leaders in Canberra, Tokyo and Seoul helped steady the relationship.
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Trump’s summit success lifts trust in American alliances
www.ussc.edu.au
November 3, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Despite tensions and tariff threats, recent US-Asia summits strengthened trust in alliances and regional cooperation.
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green explains how leaders in Canberra, Tokyo and Seoul helped steady the relationship.
Read:
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green explains how leaders in Canberra, Tokyo and Seoul helped steady the relationship.
Read:
Trump has deployed National Guard troops to various US cities in response to rising protests against immigration enforcement action.
USSC's @katrobison.bsky.social explains how far he can push the limits of the presidential office.
Listen:
USSC's @katrobison.bsky.social explains how far he can push the limits of the presidential office.
Listen:
Trump Pushes Limits of Presidential Power
This week President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Chicago in response to rising protests against immigration enforcement actions by federal authorities. How far can Trump push the...
www.bfm.my
October 31, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Trump has deployed National Guard troops to various US cities in response to rising protests against immigration enforcement action.
USSC's @katrobison.bsky.social explains how far he can push the limits of the presidential office.
Listen:
USSC's @katrobison.bsky.social explains how far he can push the limits of the presidential office.
Listen:
“The entire US system has now bought in to strategic competition with China.”
USSC’s Jared Mondschein tells ABC News why even a Trump–Xi trade deal would likely be short-lived.
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USSC’s Jared Mondschein tells ABC News why even a Trump–Xi trade deal would likely be short-lived.
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As Trump and Xi prepare to talk trade, China will enter the room with a strong hand
The meeting with US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping is one of the most highly anticipated bilaterals of the year, as the leaders seek to strike a deal while also saving f...
www.abc.net.au
October 29, 2025 at 11:17 PM
“The entire US system has now bought in to strategic competition with China.”
USSC’s Jared Mondschein tells ABC News why even a Trump–Xi trade deal would likely be short-lived.
Read:
USSC’s Jared Mondschein tells ABC News why even a Trump–Xi trade deal would likely be short-lived.
Read:
After a year of strained ties, Trump’s visit to Tokyo signals a renewed warmth in the US–Japan relationship.
As USSC's Dr Michael Green notes, the US approach to China still begins with allies — dealing with Beijing from the “outside in."
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As USSC's Dr Michael Green notes, the US approach to China still begins with allies — dealing with Beijing from the “outside in."
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After an icy year, Trump mends US-Japan ties with warm Tokyo trip
In normal times, a warm meeting between an American president and a Japanese prime minister would be as routine as fresh tuna in Tokyo. These have not been normal times.
www.theaustralian.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
After a year of strained ties, Trump’s visit to Tokyo signals a renewed warmth in the US–Japan relationship.
As USSC's Dr Michael Green notes, the US approach to China still begins with allies — dealing with Beijing from the “outside in."
Read:
As USSC's Dr Michael Green notes, the US approach to China still begins with allies — dealing with Beijing from the “outside in."
Read:
Despite most in Australia, Japan and India saying Trump’s second term has been bad for their countries, support for alliances with the US remains firm.
Explore our latest polling: https://www.ussc.edu.au/despite-anxiety-about-trump-asia-s-maritime-democracies-are-increasingly-aligned-on-security
Explore our latest polling: https://www.ussc.edu.au/despite-anxiety-about-trump-asia-s-maritime-democracies-are-increasingly-aligned-on-security
October 28, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Despite most in Australia, Japan and India saying Trump’s second term has been bad for their countries, support for alliances with the US remains firm.
Explore our latest polling: https://www.ussc.edu.au/despite-anxiety-about-trump-asia-s-maritime-democracies-are-increasingly-aligned-on-security
Explore our latest polling: https://www.ussc.edu.au/despite-anxiety-about-trump-asia-s-maritime-democracies-are-increasingly-aligned-on-security
With one year until the US midterms, USSC's Bruce Wolpe considers how voters might define the next chapter of American leadership.
His latest column traces the shift from Reaganism to Trumpism — and what it means for US democracy.
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His latest column traces the shift from Reaganism to Trumpism — and what it means for US democracy.
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Next November, will voters take a wrecking ball to the Oval Office?
Previous presidents learned that large defeats in the midterms elections stops their legislative agenda cold. Could it happen again?
www.smh.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
With one year until the US midterms, USSC's Bruce Wolpe considers how voters might define the next chapter of American leadership.
His latest column traces the shift from Reaganism to Trumpism — and what it means for US democracy.
Read:
His latest column traces the shift from Reaganism to Trumpism — and what it means for US democracy.
Read:
As global missile threats rise, how can Australia better defend its homeland?
A new report from USSC urges the Australian Government to make ground-based air defence a top priority in its 2026 National Defence Strategy.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3WmWd2q
A new report from USSC urges the Australian Government to make ground-based air defence a top priority in its 2026 National Defence Strategy.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3WmWd2q
Protecting the homeland: Accelerating ground-based air and missile defence for Australia
Analysis of America.
Insight for Australia.
Solutions for the Alliance.
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
As global missile threats rise, how can Australia better defend its homeland?
A new report from USSC urges the Australian Government to make ground-based air defence a top priority in its 2026 National Defence Strategy.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3WmWd2q
A new report from USSC urges the Australian Government to make ground-based air defence a top priority in its 2026 National Defence Strategy.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3WmWd2q
🚨 Applications open!
USSC is seeking two postdoctoral fellows in the humanities and social sciences for our 2026 Fellowship.
Work alongside leading scholars on US politics, culture, and foreign policy — right here in Sydney.
🗓️ Apply by 15 Nov 2025: https://bit.ly/4qnBOIk
USSC is seeking two postdoctoral fellows in the humanities and social sciences for our 2026 Fellowship.
Work alongside leading scholars on US politics, culture, and foreign policy — right here in Sydney.
🗓️ Apply by 15 Nov 2025: https://bit.ly/4qnBOIk
American Australian Association – United States Studies Centre Postdoctoral Fellowship
As the second Trump administration rapidly advances its agenda, the landscape of US domestic and foreign policy is undergoing profound change. This report sees experts from the United States Studies Centre go beyond the headlines to unpack the key decis...
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
🚨 Applications open!
USSC is seeking two postdoctoral fellows in the humanities and social sciences for our 2026 Fellowship.
Work alongside leading scholars on US politics, culture, and foreign policy — right here in Sydney.
🗓️ Apply by 15 Nov 2025: https://bit.ly/4qnBOIk
USSC is seeking two postdoctoral fellows in the humanities and social sciences for our 2026 Fellowship.
Work alongside leading scholars on US politics, culture, and foreign policy — right here in Sydney.
🗓️ Apply by 15 Nov 2025: https://bit.ly/4qnBOIk
California leans in on AI safety to support innovation.
The state's new AI law, SB53, enforces transparency, risk reporting and whistleblower protections for major developers.
Read the explainer for more: https://bit.ly/4nU3nY0
The state's new AI law, SB53, enforces transparency, risk reporting and whistleblower protections for major developers.
Read the explainer for more: https://bit.ly/4nU3nY0
Landmark laws for AI transparency
Technology Build Baby Build! America's AI Action Plan Explainer Olivia Shen Johanna Lim
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 11:53 AM
California leans in on AI safety to support innovation.
The state's new AI law, SB53, enforces transparency, risk reporting and whistleblower protections for major developers.
Read the explainer for more: https://bit.ly/4nU3nY0
The state's new AI law, SB53, enforces transparency, risk reporting and whistleblower protections for major developers.
Read the explainer for more: https://bit.ly/4nU3nY0
From tariffs to shifting alliances, Trump’s second term is testing Asia’s ability to adapt.
Without a clear regional “Trump whisperer,” relationships with Washington remain uncertain.
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green examines the implications for Asia’s security: https://bit.ly/3JkIw0X
Without a clear regional “Trump whisperer,” relationships with Washington remain uncertain.
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green examines the implications for Asia’s security: https://bit.ly/3JkIw0X
Asia’s Trump problem: The region lacks leaders who connect with the US President
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
From tariffs to shifting alliances, Trump’s second term is testing Asia’s ability to adapt.
Without a clear regional “Trump whisperer,” relationships with Washington remain uncertain.
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green examines the implications for Asia’s security: https://bit.ly/3JkIw0X
Without a clear regional “Trump whisperer,” relationships with Washington remain uncertain.
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green examines the implications for Asia’s security: https://bit.ly/3JkIw0X
What connects a shooting at a Michigan Mormon church to other attacks on religious institutions in America?
USSC's Associate Prof David Smith joins the Briefing Room to unpack the politics of persecution.
Listen: https://bit.ly/3L1pEEH
USSC's Associate Prof David Smith joins the Briefing Room to unpack the politics of persecution.
Listen: https://bit.ly/3L1pEEH
USSC Briefing Room | From Kirk to Grand Blanc: Is there a throughline in religious violence?
Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy at the United States Studies Centre David Smith joined the podcast to discuss recent attacks on religious institutions in the United States.
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
What connects a shooting at a Michigan Mormon church to other attacks on religious institutions in America?
USSC's Associate Prof David Smith joins the Briefing Room to unpack the politics of persecution.
Listen: https://bit.ly/3L1pEEH
USSC's Associate Prof David Smith joins the Briefing Room to unpack the politics of persecution.
Listen: https://bit.ly/3L1pEEH
As long as PM Albanese "recognises that Donald Trump is looking for a deal, and the deal is something that can be flexible, there’s no reason for everyone not to leave happy." USSC's Harry Melkonian tells Sky News.
Watch: https://bit.ly/4hmGNFd
Watch: https://bit.ly/4hmGNFd
Donald Trump ‘looking for a deal’ in meeting with Anthony Albanese
United States Studies Centre’s Dr Harry Melkonian discusses the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “I think he [Anthony Albanese] probably has a pretty good idea that he’s meeting with someone who v...
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
As long as PM Albanese "recognises that Donald Trump is looking for a deal, and the deal is something that can be flexible, there’s no reason for everyone not to leave happy." USSC's Harry Melkonian tells Sky News.
Watch: https://bit.ly/4hmGNFd
Watch: https://bit.ly/4hmGNFd
Rare earth processing capacity important amid China's global influence.
"All of these minerals underpin everything... we would be really stuck if China decided not to sell those products to other countries," USSC's Hayley Channer tells Insiders.
Listen: https://ab.co/46YyM5E
"All of these minerals underpin everything... we would be really stuck if China decided not to sell those products to other countries," USSC's Hayley Channer tells Insiders.
Listen: https://ab.co/46YyM5E
What will happen when Albanese meets Trump? | Insiders On Background - ABC listen
The long-awaited sit-down meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump is about to take place.
So – what should we expect? Will there be a blow-up over defence spending or AUKUS? What about a deal on critical minerals? What does the future hold f...
ab.co
October 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Rare earth processing capacity important amid China's global influence.
"All of these minerals underpin everything... we would be really stuck if China decided not to sell those products to other countries," USSC's Hayley Channer tells Insiders.
Listen: https://ab.co/46YyM5E
"All of these minerals underpin everything... we would be really stuck if China decided not to sell those products to other countries," USSC's Hayley Channer tells Insiders.
Listen: https://ab.co/46YyM5E
Albanese to meet Trump amid tariffs and AUKUS scrutiny.
"The importance of 🇦🇺 and the 🇺🇸 getting together, aligning their efforts in the region, has never been greater... in the history of the US-Australia alliance," USSC Jared Mondschein tells ABC News.
Read more: https://ab.co/4ox5S2A
"The importance of 🇦🇺 and the 🇺🇸 getting together, aligning their efforts in the region, has never been greater... in the history of the US-Australia alliance," USSC Jared Mondschein tells ABC News.
Read more: https://ab.co/4ox5S2A
The PM is set to sit down with Trump. What can he learn from other leaders?
As other world leaders have discovered, a visit to Donald Trump's White House can become an unpredictable, if not uncomfortable, encounter.
ab.co
October 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Albanese to meet Trump amid tariffs and AUKUS scrutiny.
"The importance of 🇦🇺 and the 🇺🇸 getting together, aligning their efforts in the region, has never been greater... in the history of the US-Australia alliance," USSC Jared Mondschein tells ABC News.
Read more: https://ab.co/4ox5S2A
"The importance of 🇦🇺 and the 🇺🇸 getting together, aligning their efforts in the region, has never been greater... in the history of the US-Australia alliance," USSC Jared Mondschein tells ABC News.
Read more: https://ab.co/4ox5S2A
Australia’s critical minerals exports are in focus.
"The US’s main bugbear is that the majority of Australian minerals go to China for processing... that just continues to strengthen China’s stranglehold," says USSC's Hayley Channer
Read: https://bit.ly/47fk8G5
"The US’s main bugbear is that the majority of Australian minerals go to China for processing... that just continues to strengthen China’s stranglehold," says USSC's Hayley Channer
Read: https://bit.ly/47fk8G5
Critical rare earth minerals risk: US digs into China trade
The Trump administration is considering taking part-ownership of Australian rare earths projects as part of a historic critical minerals deal with Labor to challenge Beijing's stranglehold over the sector, amid a US call for its allies to “decouple” ...
www.theaustralian.com.au
October 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Australia’s critical minerals exports are in focus.
"The US’s main bugbear is that the majority of Australian minerals go to China for processing... that just continues to strengthen China’s stranglehold," says USSC's Hayley Channer
Read: https://bit.ly/47fk8G5
"The US’s main bugbear is that the majority of Australian minerals go to China for processing... that just continues to strengthen China’s stranglehold," says USSC's Hayley Channer
Read: https://bit.ly/47fk8G5
As global dynamics shift, how are Australians viewing their most important ally?
USSC’s new polling reveals ten key takeaways on Australian attitudes to the United States, the Australia-US alliance and key issues facing the Indo-Pacific region.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4qbV9Mr
USSC’s new polling reveals ten key takeaways on Australian attitudes to the United States, the Australia-US alliance and key issues facing the Indo-Pacific region.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4qbV9Mr
The Albanese-Trump summit: Where do Australians stand on their most important ally?
bit.ly
October 16, 2025 at 10:10 AM
As global dynamics shift, how are Australians viewing their most important ally?
USSC’s new polling reveals ten key takeaways on Australian attitudes to the United States, the Australia-US alliance and key issues facing the Indo-Pacific region.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4qbV9Mr
USSC’s new polling reveals ten key takeaways on Australian attitudes to the United States, the Australia-US alliance and key issues facing the Indo-Pacific region.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4qbV9Mr
Australia's data centre industry is booming.
But the rapid growth is putting pressure on the national power grid.
USSC Research Associate Johanna Lim outlines the three key measures needed to make it sustainable: https://bit.ly/4nT7YcU
But the rapid growth is putting pressure on the national power grid.
USSC Research Associate Johanna Lim outlines the three key measures needed to make it sustainable: https://bit.ly/4nT7YcU
Power-hungry data centres threaten Australia’s energy grid. Here are 3 steps to make them more efficient
bit.ly
October 16, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Australia's data centre industry is booming.
But the rapid growth is putting pressure on the national power grid.
USSC Research Associate Johanna Lim outlines the three key measures needed to make it sustainable: https://bit.ly/4nT7YcU
But the rapid growth is putting pressure on the national power grid.
USSC Research Associate Johanna Lim outlines the three key measures needed to make it sustainable: https://bit.ly/4nT7YcU