The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit agreed with another court's verdict that most of the tariffs are illegal; however the tariffs, including 50% on many Indian goods, will stay in place until October 14 to allow an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Agreements to import more goods from the US rather than from the Middle East or other Asian nations could heighten inflation risks; however Bangladesh's apparel sector should benefit.
Amid the uncertainty a US giant has suspended some apparel orders from the country, which is competing with the likes of Cambodia and Vietnam; meanwhile government export subsidies are set to decrease.
Despite a tentative US, China deal, uncertainty around tariffs has increased demand for trade finance products from Asian corporates, as firms look to reroute supply chains, derisk and improve working capital.
US president Donald Trump has ordered a 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs above the 10% already imposed, except for Chinese goods, with tariffs now at 125% after China retaliated; the EU has also retaliated. Trump may have been fearful over the impact on the US bond market.
Apr 9, 2025
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With negotiations ongoing, Vietnam and its companies are now at a crucial crossroads, dependent on whether Trump is willing to lower his 46% tariffs, incoming on April 9.
China, India, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan and Indonesia to be hit particularly hard by US tariffs on imports announced on April 2; many fear the move could spark a global trade war.
US president Donald Trump is causing chaos this week across global markets with a spate of tariffs set to take effect in the US on April 2, against a wide range of goods; Goldman Sachs is predicting an extra US rate cut this year, amid stagflation fears.
The window left for negotiation remains key for the market to understand the impact of tariff policies, according to experts speaking at HSBC’s summit in Hong Kong this week; overnight the White House has announced 25% tariffs on cars from April 3 and car parts from May 3.
US inflation was lower than expected in February; the 2.8% read came as the US introduced global 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports; and then the EU and Canada retaliated; in Apac, Australian and Korean steelmakers are most at risk.
A swift change in tone from US president Donald Trump around tariffs show how his words and actions are having a volatile impact on Asia Pacific's currencies; they are likely to be on the defensive this year.