Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that global trade is being weaponized as U.S. tariffs loom over Southeast Asia

Donald Trump’s latest act of trade brinkmanship risks creating a “tariff wall” around the manufacturing hubs of south-east Asia, leading to higher prices and tough choices for US consumers and industry, analysts warn.

Since 2016, the share of U.S. imports from China has fallen by nearly half, while imports from the Association of Southeast Asian

Sweeping tariffs set to be imposed by President Donald Trump next month may overshadow his top diplomat's first official trip to Asia this week -- just as the U.S. seeks to boost relations with Indo-Pacific nations to counter China's growing influence in the region.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that global trade is being weaponized as U.S. tariffs loom over Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia's reciprocal tariff framework has prompted major IC substrate manufacturers to pause southbound investment evaluations. Meanwhile, Taiwanese and Chinese PCB producers expanding in Thailand face production challenges that are limiting order flows to suppliers including drill bit maker Topoint Technology and prepreg manufacturer Aurona Industries.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the first time during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference as relations between the United States and China remain tense.