Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

New US tariffs on Southeast Asia threaten Washington's credibility in ASEAN, analysts say

A new wave of US tariffs hitting seven Southeast Asian countries is set to reinforce perceptions of Washington as an unreliable partner to the region, according to analysts cited by the South China Morning Post.

Citing what it said were forced labour practices uncovered in its latest investigations, the US on Thursday imposed levies ranging from 10 to 12.5 per cent on 60 economies, with the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam the hardest hit among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members. Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia received lower rates, as they were seen to have made more effort to strengthen enforcement, the report said.

The new duties fall under Section 301 of the US Trade Act. US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer said in a statement that the move would “correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice,” according to the South China Morning Post.

The tariffs came just a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US was “with Asean 100 per cent” at a meeting in Manila also attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On Friday, Kevin Kim, US ambassador to ASEAN, told reporters that Washington “is pursuing fair and reciprocal trade” but that he would defer to Greer on technical responses.

Coverage comparison

The South China Morning Post reported the tariffs from two angles. One article focused on Malaysia’s relatively favourable position, noting it secured a 10 per cent rate that leaves it better placed than four of its Southeast Asian neighbours. Economists quoted in the report warned the narrow advantage may prove fleeting, as it hinges on Kuala Lumpur fulfilling its promised trade reforms.

The other article emphasised the broader regional impact, describing the tariffs as reinforcing perceptions of US unreliability in Southeast Asia. Both reports drew on official US statements and analyst commentary.

Key claims

• Malaysia secured a 10 per cent tariff rate, lower than four of its Southeast Asian neighbours, according to the South China Morning Post.
• The new duties fall under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, the same report said.
• US President Donald Trump announced a 24 per cent tariff on Malaysia in April last year, which was lowered to 19 per cent in August after talks, the newspaper reported.
• A US Supreme Court ruling in February rendered the earlier reciprocal tariffs essentially void, the South China Morning Post noted.
• The US imposed levies on 60 economies, with the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam the hardest hit among ASEAN members, according to the report.
• The tariffs were imposed due to forced labour concerns, US officials said.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US was “with Asean 100 per cent” the day before the tariffs were announced, the newspaper reported.

Perspectives

US officials argued the tariffs target forced labour practices and are part of pursuing fair and reciprocal trade. USTR Jamieson Greer described the practices as a “human rights abuse and distortive trade practice.” Ambassador Kevin Kim said Washington is seeking fair trade but deferred technical questions to the trade representative.

Analysts cited by the South China Morning Post warned that the tariffs reinforce perceptions of the US as an unreliable partner in Southeast Asia, and that Malaysia’s lower rate may prove fleeting if it does not deliver on promised trade reforms.