U.S. Secures Trade Deals with Southeast Asian Nations to Counter China

The U.S. is forging ahead with trade deals in Southeast Asia, seeking to reduce economic disadvantages and counter China's influence. But ASEAN nations remain wary due to past U.S. actions.

, and Administrator

2025 October 28 . 9:03 PM

1 min read

This is a paper. On this something is written.

U.S. Secures Trade Deals with Southeast Asian Nations to Counter China

Southeast Asian nations have reached trade agreements with the U.S., aiming to avoid economic disadvantages. The deals were announced at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, with U.S. President Donald Trump leading the negotiations.

The U.S. has secured trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia, and framework agreements with Vietnam and Thailand. These agreements include tariff reductions, elimination of rules of origin, and commitments on economic security issues targeting China.

Malaysia has agreed to purchase U.S. goods and invest in the U.S. over the next decade, potentially totaling $70 billion. Both deals with Malaysia and Cambodia cover trade rules such as nontariff barriers, services, intellectual property, labor, environment, digital trade, and competition by state-owned enterprises.

In recent weeks, the U.S. has concluded framework agreements or trade negotiations with several countries, including Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Talks with Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina are ongoing, with further negotiations expected with China in the coming weeks.

While these agreements may benefit the U.S. and its partners, ASEAN countries remain skeptical due to past U.S. actions. The agreements lack traditional dispute settlement provisions, giving the U.S. negotiation skills over its trading partners. China may respond with countermeasures to the economic security measures included in the trade deals.