
Chinese exports flood Southeast Asia on US tariffs, Citi says
China's export push in Southeast Asia may be a sign of trade diversion, as direct exports to the US have fallen sharply in recent months, Citi's head of emerging-markets economic research Johanna Chua wrote in a report Tuesday.
Bloomberg
A flood of — often cheaper — Chinese goods could pose challenges to recipient countries and their local enterprises, Citi said. Indonesia, for one, saw textile imports from China recently reach a new monthly high, adding pressure to a struggling garments sector that's already laid off thousands of workers.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
New Container Houses Vietnam (Prices May Surprise You)
Container House | Search ads
Search Now
Chinese overall export prices and the price of textile shipments have been falling since early 2023. Exports to the US meanwhile plunged by just over a third in May, the most since 2020, with both countries locked in a heated trade dispute.
The record shipments to Southeast Asia could likewise be a sign of transshipment, or China directing goods through other countries to avoid the impact of higher US levies, Citi said. The report noted a 'significant increase in correlation' between Southeast Asian countries' increased Chinese imports and their exports to the US.
Live Events
Transshipment has been a focal point in Washington's tariff negotiations with Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam and Thailand, both of whom have pledged to tighten rules on issuing certificates of origin.
As the US clamps down on transshipment, 'China may be shifting more of its downstream production to third markets in lieu of
US tariff
risk, while maintaining its dominance in the supply chain for intermediate goods,' Citi said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
2 minutes ago
- First Post
India-China ties changing: 4 signs, 1 challenge
After a five-year hiatus triggered by the 2020 border standoff, India and China are burying the hatchet, driven by mutual interest and global pressures read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting in informal setup in 2019 India and China, two of Asia's giants, have been navigating a complex relationship since the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash. However, recent developments signal a cautious warming of ties, driven by mutual interest and global pressures, though challenges remain. Here are four indicators of improving relations and one significant hurdle that persists. 1) India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals After a five-year hiatus triggered by the 2020 border standoff, India has reinstated tourist visas for Chinese citizens, a move aimed at mending strained ties. The announcement, shared by the Indian embassy in Beijing, was reported by China's state-owned Global Times. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called it a 'positive move,' expressing China's willingness to enhance 'facilitation of people-to-people exchanges.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The visa suspension, along with restrictions on Chinese investments and apps, followed the 2020 clash that resulted in casualties on both sides. 2) Jaishankar's landmark visit to China External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to China from July 13-15 marked a significant diplomatic milestone, the first such trip since the 2020 standoff. Meeting President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Vice President Han Zheng before attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Foreign Ministers, Jaishankar noted that both nations have made 'good progress' in normalising relations over the past nine months. He emphasised that maintaining peace along the border is the 'fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust' and called for further de-escalation. 3) China issues 85,000 visas for Indian pilgrims In a reciprocal gesture, China issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens in 2025, particularly for those visiting sacred sites like Mansarovar. Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong announced on X, 'As of April 9, 2025, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens travelling to China this year. Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China.' This surge in visas, following troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh, further signals the strengthening of people-to-people ties. 4) Push for direct flight resumption Both nations have agreed to restore direct flights and mutual travel, suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent border clash. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated, 'The two sides agreed to take additional practical steps, including travel to each other's country and direct flight connectivity, for facilitating people-to-people exchanges.' While China's foreign ministry statement omitted mention of flights, the agreement reflects a shared interest in easing travel barriers between the world's most populous neighbours. The challenge: Reluctance to share technology Despite these positive steps, a key obstacle remains: Chinese companies' reluctance to share technology and data, the same attitude shown by their Western counterparts. This poses a significant challenge to deeper economic collaboration, testing India's diplomatic finesse. As both nations navigate this issue, India's scepticism about China's intentions, given its history as a hostile, irresponsible and unpredictable neighbour, underscores the need for careful engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump factor- a peace initiative he never takes credit for US President Donald Trump is often visibly eager to claim credit for peace initiatives across the globe in a bid to reinforce his nomination for Nobel Peace Prize. However, the ongoing reconciliation between the two Asian neighbours is something Trump never would brag about. It's Trump's unpredictable policies that have forced Beijing and New Delhi to step closer despite their shared concerns. Recently, China's open support to Pakistan in the four-day standoff with India angered many in New Delhi. However, that frustration didn't culminate in a setback for Sino-Indo ties. India is selectively engaging with Chinese firms while diversifying its economic resources, balancing cooperation with strategic caution.


Time of India
2 minutes ago
- Time of India
Heineken sees beer sales dip but keeps profit outlook
Heineken, the world's second-largest brewer, reported a dip in beer sales for the first half of the year due to declining demand in Europe and the US, despite growth in Asian markets like Vietnam and India. Total sales reached 14.2 billion euros, with operating profits slightly exceeding expectations. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Dutch brewer Heineken sold less beer in the first half of the year, it announced Monday, as a slump in sales in Europe and the US failed to offset better performance in Asia. Global beer volumes for the world's second-biggest brewer after AB InBev came in at 116.4 million hectolitres, compared with 118.2 million in the first six months of was also below the 117.0 million hectolitres expected in analysts' forecasts published by the company."Notable growth in Vietnam, India... and Mexico was more than offset by declines in Brazil, the US, and parts of Europe," said the firm in a company, whose brands include Amstel, Kingfisher, and Savanna cider, maintained its full-year outlook for a gain of between four and eight percent in operating profits, its preferred Chief Executive Officer Dolf van den Brink welcomed the deal clinched late Sunday between the EU and the United States that averted a possible trade war."I think it's good that the uncertainty ends that. Further escalation has been avoided. We have now clarity going forward for Heineken," he told said the impact of the tariffs -- a flat 15-percent rate for most EU goods into the US -- had already been baked into their profit all of its products -- 95 percent said the CEO -- were manufactured and sold in local markets, so tariffs do not apply."As such, the impact for us is manageable," he said total sales were 14.2 billion euros in the first half year, compared with 14.8 billion euros in the first six months of was roughly in line with firm said this represented "organic growth" -- stripping out the impact of currency fluctuations -- of 2.1 profits excluding exceptional items and amortisation -- the firm's preferred measure -- came in at 2.0 billion euros, fractionally above expectations.


Economic Times
4 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Rupee rises 9 paise to 86.43 against US dollar in early trade
The rupee appreciated 9 paise to 86.43 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday, tracking a softer greenback, though the upside for the local unit was limited as US-India tariff negotiations remained in focus. ADVERTISEMENT Forex traders said the rupee was trading in a narrow range as the demand for dollar from importers continued to keep the American unit well bid against the rupee. Moreover, the support from developing trade agreements was negated by the sustained foreign fund outflows, they said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened on a positive note and touched 86.43 against the greenback in initial deals, higher by 9 paise from its previous closing level. On Friday, the rupee declined 12 paise to settle at 86.52 against the US dollar. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.03 per cent to 97.61. ADVERTISEMENT Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, went up by 0.48 per cent to USD 68.77 per barrel in futures trade, supported by developing trade agreements. Brent oil prices edged up from three week lows in Asian trading to USD 68 per barrel after EU and US reached a trade agreement that eased tariff concerns and boosted future energy demands, said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP. ADVERTISEMENT The investors are now watching developments from FED which begins its two-day policy meeting from Tuesday, Bhansali said. "The Indian rupee is expected to be steady near 86.47 after the European deal was done but India is still away from a conclusive deal," Bhansali said, adding that the month-end demand may keep the rupee stable. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, in the domestic equity market, Sensex declined 67.43 points or 0.08 per cent to 81,395.66, while Nifty fell 14.25 points or 0.06 per cent to 24,851.25. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,979.96 crore on a net basis on Friday, according to exchange data. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, India's forex kitty declined by USD 1.183 billion to USD 695.489 billion during the week ended July 18, the RBI said on Friday. In the previous week, the overall kitty had dropped by USD 3.064 billion to USD 696.672 billion. The reserves had touched an all-time high of USD 704.885 billion at end-September 2024. PTI (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)