PUBLISHED 07/07/2025 14:53 | Edited 07/07/2025 18:38
United States President Donald Trump announced this week the imposition of unilateral tariffs on 14 countries, with rates ranging from 25% to 40% and entering force from August 1.
The measure directly affects China’s strategic allies and various economies of Southeast Asia, reinforcing the climate of commercial tension started in April.
See below the countries hit so far:
South Africa: 30%
Bangladesh: 35%
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 30%
Cambodia: 36%
Kazakhstan: 25%
South Korea: 25%
Indonesia: 32%
Japan: 25%
Laos: 40%
Malaysia: 25%
Myanmar: 40%
Serbia: 35%
Thailand: 36%
Tunisia: 25%
In common, many of these countries maintain narrow bonds with China and participate in commercial and logistics networks associated with the new silk route or economic platforms such as BRICS – a block recently called by Trump as an anti -American policy articulator.
The tariff offensive coincides with the deadline set by Trump for countries to stand up with bilateral agreements with the US, threat of additional economic sanctions.
The US president even promised an extra 10% rate for nations that choose to align with autonomous global governance projects-which earned him public criticism of South African diplomats, who compared his behavior to that of a “other century emperor.”
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China promises response and reinforces economic warning system
Among the hardest hit are Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, South Africa and Serbia – all countries with formal or strategic bonds with cooperation networks promoted by Beijing, Moscow or the New Development Bank.
Analysts heard by international agencies warn that the initiative represents a deliberate attempt to isolate China and weaken the maneuvering space of the global southern countries.
Beijing reacted hardly. The Chinese Chancellery has warned that it will retaliate countries that exclude China from their commercial flows in exchange for tariff concessions with the US.
O DIARY OF THE PEOPLEspokesman for the Communist Party, published an editorial stating that the US “abuses tariffs as an instrument of coercion” and argued that “only dialogue can guarantee lasting business agreements.”
The National Development and Reform Commission (CNDR), the third executive department of the State Council of the Popular Republic of China, has announced that it will reinforce the National Economic Monitoring System, with new indicators focused on supply chains, technological safety and monetary stability.
Studies have been commissioned to measure the impact of non -tariff tariffs and barriers, including in the context of relations with the European Union.
Even with the tariff truce signed with the US in May, China fears a new climb. According to Banco UBS estimates, the average effective rate on Chinese products can reach 43.5% – the highest level since 1934.
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Target: the geoeconomic surroundings of China
In addition to the Asian powers, Trump’s tariff package focuses on Southeast Asia countries – the region that surpassed the US and the EU as the main destination for Chinese exports.
Only Vietnam and Singapore were spared. In the Vietnamese case, there was a direct agreement with the US to maintain rates by 20% – on the condition of overlapping 40% “overflowed” goods from China. According to experts, this signals that the US seek to force Asian countries to break logistics ties with Beijing and the new Silk Route.
The initiative, according to Chinese economist Xu Weijun, aims to “force Southeast Asia countries to choose sides” in the geopolitical dispute. Zhu Keli of the International Institute of Economic Research, says the real target is the Chinese goods transhipment system, which supports significant part of indirect exports to the US.
Japan and Korea try to reverse fare; Vietnam makes partial agreement
Japan was surprised by the 25% rate even after promising $ 1 trillion in US investments.
Premier Shigeru Ishiba was called “spoiled” by Trump on social networks, who accused him of refusing to buy American rice. South Korea, equally affected, has announced that it will intensify negotiations to try a last minute agreement.
Between Asean countries, only Vietnam and Singapore were spared. Vietnam, in particular, negotiated a reduced 20% tariff, on the condition of overlaxing in 40% Chinese goods overflowed by its territory – a movement interpreted by analysts as part of the US strategy to empty China’s role in value global chains.
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Source: vermelho.org.br
