Southeast Asian countries react to Trump’s tariffsーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Malaysia will face a 25% tariff, 1% higher than the rate announced in April. The country has expressed concerns that unilateral measures could disrupt business activities that benefit both countries. The Malaysian Trade Ministry says it acknowledges the concerns raised by the US regarding trade imbalances and market access. But the ministry says it believes constructive engagement and dialogue remain the best way forward. Malaysia is hosting a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week. Trump’s tariffs and their impact on regional economies are expected to be high on the agenda. Thailand will be slapped with a 36% tariff rate. The country’s finance minister last week flew to Washington for talks but failed to reach an agreement. Thailand asked the US to review the rate and propose expanding imports of US energy resources and agricultural products. We discussed how we could work together and what kind of products we could import from the United States. The US side will consider the issue and work with us. Now, it’s a matter of waiting for their response on the percentage. Indonesia will face a 32% tariff. A statement said Jakarta will do its best to safeguard national interests going forward. The country’s coordinating minister for economic affairs, Arlanka Hartarto, is visiting the US to meet with officials to discuss Trump’s decision. For its part, Vietnam last week became the second country after Britain to finalize a trade deal with the US. Trump announced that Vietnamese goods will only face a 20% levy, much lower than the 46% the country faced in April. Neither side has disclosed details of the agreement. Vietnam took steps to dodge the steep tariff hike. In May, the country’s prime minister, Fam Menchin, attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a luxury golf resort near the capital, Hanoi, with Trump’s son, Eric. The prime minister urged local authorities to provide maximum support for the project. In addition, a Vietnamese airline company has decided to go ahead with a major purchase of Boeing aircraft while the country announced it will increase imports of liqufied natural gas. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Malaysia this week for a series of Austin meetings. It’ll be his first trip to Asia since he assumed the post. The US State Department says Rubio will hold talks with the foreign ministers from Oscan and other countries during his 4-day stay in the capital Kalumbur since starting Tuesday. It says Rubio will stress America’s commitment to the Indopacific region and confirm that it will strengthen cooperation with regional countries. Rubio is known as a hardliner against China and his visit to the region is apparently being taken with China’s increasing assertiveness in mind. A senior State Department official says the key message that the secretary wants to deliver is that the US is committed to and is putting priority on the region because it’s in America’s interest. And that wraps up our bulletin. I’m Trantan in Beno.
July 8 NEWSROOM TOKYO Bangkok Live Lineup:
00:00 Southeast Asian countries react to Trump’s tariffs
02:31 Rubio to visit Asia for first time for ASEAN meetings
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