ARTICLES

20 Nov 2025

Southeast Asian Countries Engaging in Export Circumvention: Not So Fast

Archanun Kohpaiboon|Ratchanon Ketramrit

The Trump administration has threatened to levy an additional 40 per cent reciprocal tariffs on transshipments to the US. The logic for doing this is not so clear cut.

11 Nov 2025

Amid the Uncertainty of US Tariffs, Asian Exporters Are Forging Ahead

Jayant Menon

Amid the gloom brought about by the US’ reciprocal tariffs, there appears to be a glimmer of hope for Asian exporters.

Economy Southeast Asia Tariffs U.S.

10 Nov 2025

Unfinished Business: Why Thailand’s Tariff Talks Are a Diplomatic Test

Pongkwan Sawasdipakdi

The Thai government is focused on dealing with the repercussions of the US tariffs on the country. It needs to craft a broader foreign policy narrative.

Tariffs Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand U.S. U.S.-Thailand Relations

3 Oct 2025

Trump’s Tariffs and China’s Subsidies: Southeast Asia Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Deasy Pane

Despite the US’ Liberation Day tariffs, exports from many countries continue to be sustained. In particular, China’s exports to Southeast Asia continue to grow, thanks to market orientation and state subsidies.

China Southeast Asia Tariffs U.S.

20 Aug 2025

Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect – What Now?

Stephen Olson

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun speaks with Stephen Olson, Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, on making sense of the Trump tariffs and thinking through the unpredictabilities.

Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia Tariffs Trade US

31 Jul 2025

What the Weak Must Suffer: Indonesia’s High-Cost Trade Deal with the US

Maria Monica Wihardja|Siwage Dharma Negara

A fast deal is not necessarily a good deal if Indonesia strikes an unequal trade bargain to avoid higher tariffs.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics Tariffs U.S.

17 Jul 2025

Will Vietnam’s Tariff Deal with the US Make Its Exports More Competitive?

Juthathip Jongwanich|Archanun Kohpaiboon

On the surface, it appears that Vietnam’s securing of lower tariffs from the US could make it more competitive than its regional rivals. A deeper examination shows that this might not be the case.

Southeast Asia Tariffs U.S. U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

26 May 2025

Key Takeaways for Southeast Asia from US-UK Trade Deal: It Will Be a Hard Slog

Stephen Olson

As they negotiate with the US for new trade deals, Southeast Asian countries are hoping for at least some relief from the US’ reciprocal tariffs. With the recent US-UK trade deal in mind, these countries should do so with much circumspection.

Southeast Asia Tariffs Trade UK US

20 May 2025

Preparing Malaysia’s Toolkit for Trump Tariff Tumult

Lee Hwok-Aun

As trade negotiations with the US continue, Malaysia needs to trot out relief measures and pro-growth measures to mitigate the impact of Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Tariffs US

16 May 2025

Economic Anxiety, Nationalist Pride: How Vietnam Navigates the Trump Storm

Dien Nguyen An Luong

Hanoi is orchestrating a media campaign to project resilience amid Trump’s tariffs and other setbacks in US–Vietnam ties while trying to prevent simmering anti-American sentiments from hurting those ties.

Tariffs U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Economy