Asia’s export hubs are showing surprisingly robust economic results a month after US “reciprocal tariffs” came into force, easing fears that prompted economists to cut growth projections and regional central banks to warn of downside risks.

Trump plans to impose a tariff of up to 200% on imported drugs from non-European countries, risking a rise in drug prices. Experts warn this could drive up drug prices, create drug shortages, and worsen the situation for low-income and elderly people.

Vietnam has risen from a war-torn nation to a trusted partner of the international community. Its deepening integration affirms the country’s sound development path and reinforces its role as a key link in the global supply chain.

Contrary to the general downward trend in fruit imports, shipments of fruits from the United States and Chile to Vietnam have recorded a significant increase in recent months.

Vietnam has emerged as one of the world’s leading coconut exporters, ranking 4th in the Asia-Pacific and 5th globally, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE).

Vietnam’s pepper exports to Thailand surged more than 40% in the first seven months of 2025, making the country the nation’s 10th largest market for the spice, according to Vietnam Customs.

The next reading of Malaysia’s manufacturing activity will be closely watched as a key gauge of resilience, even as August data showed tentative signs of improvement, analysts said.

President Donald Trump said India offered to cut tariffs, while New Delhi signalled it’s continuing to negotiate a trade agreement with the US, indicating both sides are keeping the door open to resolving tensions.

Japan will handle US demands to buy more American rice within the confines of its existing overall cap on duty-free imports and has no plans to lower its tariffs on farm products, according to Tokyo’s top trade negotiator.

US tariffs took a toll on factory activity across Asia, overshadowing a surprisingly upbeat performance in China, private surveys showed on Monday, keeping pressure on policymakers to underpin the region's fragile economic recovery.