Shock, chaos and a hollow win: What it's like to do a tariff deal with Trump

Export-driven economies, like Thailand and Vietnam, face significant challenges due to President Trump's steep tariffs, reaching up to 49%. Negotiations have been tense, with deals being struck to reduce tariffs to 19% for countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, amidst concerns over access to agricultural markets. Complex supply chains in industries like electronics and manufacturing make it difficult for Southeast Asian countries to meet US demands and navigate trans-shipment issues, adding further strain to trade negotiations.