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Profile

Steven Okun is the Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors and a leading voice on US foreign policy, global trade, and geopolitical risk in the Asia-Pacific. With more than 30 years of experience across government and the private sector, and based in Singapore since 2003, he advises corporates, investors, and boards on navigating political and regulatory risk, US–China relations, and shifting trade dynamics. Mr Okun’s early calls on reciprocal tariffs and other developments during Trump’s second term, as well as US–China decoupling have repeatedly been validated as events unfold.

In 2002, he was selected to be part of the inaugural cohort of the National Committee on US–China Relations Young Leaders Forum.

Prior to founding APAC Advisors, Mr Okun was the first Director of Public Affairs for Asia-Pacific at KKR, Vice President of Public Affairs at UPS Asia, and Deputy General Counsel at the US Department of Transportation under President Clinton. He regularly speaks at policy forums, universities, and closed-door briefings on the intersection of geopolitics, business, and global risk. In addition, he is a frequent presence in global media, including writing op-eds as well as providing frequent analysis for television and radio.

Expertise

Talking Points

Trump 2.0 and Foreign Policy Risk

How U.S. politics under a second Trump administration and intensifying U.S.–China rivalry will reshape tariffs, sanctions, and supply chains. Steve translates geopolitical shocks into actionable strategies for boards, CFOs, and investors across Asia-Pacific.

Key Takeaways: A clearer picture of the policy shifts most likely to affect their business, and a framework for thinking through their exposure and response options.

U.S.–China Relations and Implications for Asia

A deep dive into the trajectory of U.S.–China relations, where they are headed, and what the rivalry means for trade, investment, and business strategy across the Asia-Pacific region.

Key Takeaways: A grounded read on where the relationship is headed and what signals to watch — so the next escalation doesn't catch them off guard.

America First Trade Policy

How America First trade policy is reshaping global commerce — from tariffs and changes in trade law to transshipment risks. Steve helps businesses understand their exposure and identify strategies to stay ahead of shifting rules.

Key Takeaways: A practical understanding of tariff and transshipment risk, and what regulatory changes businesses should be tracking now.

The Responsible AI Trilemma: Environmental Impact, Workforce Disruption, and Equity

AI is shaping up to be one of the defining issues of the U.S. midterm cycle — and the pressures driving that debate are already reshaping how AI can be deployed and scaled across Southeast Asia. At the heart of it is the Responsible AI Trilemma: three interconnected constraints facing every organisation betting on AI — its environmental footprint, the workforce disruption it accelerates, and the equity gaps it risks widening. Together, they are fuelling bipartisan pushback in Washington that could make AI access scarcer, more expensive, or geographically restricted sooner than most companies expect. Drawing on his experience at the intersection of U.S. politics, responsible investment, and Asia-Pacific business, Steve helps boards and investors shift the question from "how do we use AI?" to "how do we manage our dependence on it?" — before the regulatory and political environment forces the answer.

Thought process
Key Takeaways: A new way of thinking about AI risk — beyond capability and cost — and the foundation for Steve's AI Risk Training, a practical session that helps leadership teams assess their organisation's dependence on AI and build a plan for managing it before the regulatory and political environment forces their hand.

Responsible Investment

Why sustainability and responsible investment are no longer optional, and how they must evolve to address responsible AI adoption, supply-chain transparency, forced labour, human rights, and tightening global mandates. Steve draws on his experience at KKR, UPS, and APAC Advisors to show how investors can balance risk, resilience, and returns.

Key Takeaways: A sharper understanding of where ESG and responsible investment obligations are heading — and how getting ahead of them translates into stronger due diligence, better-protected portfolios, and more informed investment decisions.

The 2026 U.S. Midterms— How to Watch, What They Mean for Asia

A practical guide to understanding U.S. midterm elections — what to watch, how results shift the balance of power, and what the outcomes mean for trade policy, foreign policy, and business strategy in Asia.

Key Takeaways: A practical guide to reading the midterm results and understanding what different outcomes mean for trade, foreign policy, and business in Asia.

CFIUS Comes to Asia

How the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is increasingly shaping deal-making and private capital flows in the Asia-Pacific — and what investors and corporates need to know to navigate it.

Key Takeaways: A working understanding of how CFIUS operates and what investors and corporates in Asia-Pacific should be factoring into their deal-making.