Asia Unites Against US Tariffs, Boosts Digital Trade Cooperation
The US's tariff policies are causing concern in Asia, with regional nations seeking to strengthen collaboration and resilience. While the US pursues individual negotiations, Asian countries are forging alliances to counter global protectionism.
The US's 'divide-and-rule' tactics, involving country-by-country tariff negotiations, risk undermining regional solidarity. For instance, Vietnam faces a 20% tariff on most exports, rising to 40% for non-Vietnamese origin goods. This could cut Vietnam's growth by about 1% and hinder production expansion and enterprise capacity strengthening.
To counter this, Asia is bolstering cooperation. Existing agreements like RCEP and CPTPP are being strengthened. South Korea signed a digital trade agreement with the EU in 2025, while Singapore and Korea have a Digital Economy Agreement. Similar initiatives are emerging in the ASEAN region. These agreements include mutual recognition of electronic contracts, elimination of digital tariffs, and guarantees for cross-border data flows.
Asia is determined to enhance cooperation in emerging technology sectors, focusing on data flows, digital payments, and AI standards. Despite US tariffs, which have also affected Singapore, Asian nations remain resilient. They are forging alliances in the digital economy to protect their interests and promote regional growth.
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