Donald Trump's Tariff Blitz Hits Asian Manufacturing Hard
Trump's new tariffs, charging over 60% on Chinese imports and steep rates on Southeast Asian goods, have triggered major market sell-offs and strained Asian economies, especially manufacturing.
Published on April 4, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive new tariffs have rattled global markets and struck hard at Asian manufacturing hubs. The measures, which include more than 60% tariffs on Chinese goods and between 32% and 49% on products from Southeast Asian countries, have triggered the steepest Wall Street sell-off since the COVID-19 crisis of 2020.
Reports from April 4, 2025, by sources such as the Associated Press and Reuters detail how the sweeping tariff regime is upsetting established trade strategies like the "China plus one" model. For instance, while Vietnam, deeply reliant on U.S. exports, faces a crippling 46% tariff that could slash its GDP by 6%, India sees a lighter 27% tariff, offering it a short-term competitive edge. The policy not only stokes market volatility and pressure on major corporations like Apple, but it also complicates broader U.S.-China diplomatic relations as global investors remain cautious amid rapid economic shifts.