Battle lines of U.S.-China trade war sharpen in Southeast Asia

Summary

Chinese leader Xi Jinping didn’t mention President Donald Trump once during his three-nation tour of Southeast Asia this month. As China and the United States prepare for what’s expected to be a long and painful trade war, Southeast Asia is emerging as a first major battleground. Trump’s steep tariffs on goods from countries in Southeast Asia have sent officials in the region scrambling to negotiate relief with the White House. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are now as high as 245 percent and Chinese tariffs on U.S. exports are at least 125 percent — duties so high they amount to an embargo. Malaysia is exploring whether Beijing would consider implementing export restraints or halting the devaluation of the yuan, which would make Chinese goods cheaper.

Additional Summaries

** hook:** "As China and the U.S. prepare for a potential trade war, Southeast Asia steps into the crosshairs of a historic geopolitical conflict." China is expanding its regional influence by signing agreements with Southeast Asian countries, even as Trump administration tariffs escalate, signaling new leverage but also raising concerns about the delicate balance of power in a rapidly shifting global economy.