Commentary: Trump’s Tariffs Are Remapping U.S. Imports From Asia
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Since the first round of Donald Trump’s tariffs in 2018, U.S. importers have been accelerating their shift toward Southeast Asian countries. Over seven years, the share of U.S. seaborne imports from Southeast Asia has steadily increased. For many low-value goods, a 25% tariff differential is a decisive factor.
The year 2025 brought even more aggressive “Trump 2.0” tariffs. Although Southeast Asian nations will also face duties exceeding 20% from August onward, the tariff gap with China remains substantial. This is compounded by a grace period of more than a month when tariffs on Southeast Asian goods were deferred, while duties on Chinese goods soared to 145%. The momentum of growing U.S.-bound shipment volumes from Southeast Asia has become even more pronounced this year.
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- U.S. seaborne imports from Southeast Asia have steadily increased since 2018, driven by a widening tariff gap with China.
- In 2025, tariffs on Chinese goods rose to 145% while Southeast Asia faced lower duties, accelerating U.S.-bound shipments from the region.
- From January to September 2025, most of China’s top 20 exports to the U.S. declined, while Southeast Asian shipments surged in many categories, especially furniture, apparel, and rubber products.
- Duke Shipping Agency
- The article names Zhang Huafeng as the chief operating officer of Duke Shipping Agency. No other specific information about Duke Shipping Agency is provided in the text.
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- The article states that the views expressed in third-party articles do not necessarily reflect the positions of Caixin. Beyond this, no other information about Caixin is provided.
- 2018：
- The first round of Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports was implemented, prompting U.S. importers to accelerate their shift toward Southeast Asian countries.
- Over seven years after 2018 (2018-2025)：
- The share of U.S. seaborne imports from Southeast Asia steadily increased.
- 2025：
- More aggressive 'Trump 2.0' tariffs were introduced.
- More than one month in 2025 (just before August)：
- There was a grace period where tariffs on Southeast Asian goods were deferred, while duties on Chinese goods soared to 145%.
- January to September 2025：
- Significant data analyzed on shipment volumes of major commodities exported to the U.S. from China and Southeast Asia, revealing a large-scale shift in trade flows.
- As of January to September 2025：
- Southeast Asia’s U.S.-bound shipment volume was 63% of China’s, with Southeast Asia’s exports of several categories nearly matching or already surpassing China’s.
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