US Tariffs Hit Southeast Asia; Analysts Warn of Credibility Damage

A new round of US tariffs targeting seven Southeast Asian countries is reinforcing views of Washington as an unreliable partner in the region, analysts say. The United States on Thursday imposed levies of 10 to 12.5 percent on 60 economies, citing forced labor practices uncovered in recent investigations. Among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam were the hardest hit. The tariffs also apply to Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Asean nations. The move raises questions about the Trump administration’s commitment to stable trade relations with the bloc, which has sought closer economic ties with the US.