ASEAN Leaders Consider Tariff Response

The numbers vary greatly from country to country. This is strongly influenced by the geopolitical and economic intentions behind them. Broadly speaking, it seems that countries with strong economic and strategic ties to China have been given a higher tax rate as a form of sanction. Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar are all examples of this. On the other hand, countries where U.S. companies have a direct presence have also been given a more restrained rate from a supply chain perspective. Furthermore, from a political and security perspective, the Philippines, for example, which has close military and diplomatic ties with the United States, can be said to be relatively privileged.

Here are the reciprocal tariff rates announced by the United States for major Southeast Asian countries.

In other words, the variation in these mutual tariff rates is not only about tariffs, but also about the aspect of economic sanctions and the strength and weakness based on security and interests. In response to this situation, ASEAN held a special meeting of economic ministers online and reached a consensus that ASEAN would not implement retaliatory tariffs.

The United States accounts for about 15% of ASEAN’s total exports as of 2023. This is the second largest after ASEAN and China. The Trump administration has given countries a 90-day grace period, and it is not yet clear whether negotiations will take place within this period and what the outcome will be. However, when we look at the global economy as a whole, Southeast Asia has the greatest potential for economic development. Looking at the past five years, China has been actively deepening its relations with Southeast Asia, and the impact of how the United States, which has been relatively quiet, will engage in the future will be significant. PSR

Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research