The Trump administration is set to impose new tariffs on seven Southeast Asian countries, a move that analysts say undermines US credibility in the region.
The duties come just one day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ASEAN foreign ministers that the United States stands "with Asean 100 per cent," creating a stark contradiction between diplomatic rhetoric and trade policy.
The tariffs are justified by Washington on the grounds of forced labor practices, according to reports.
However, the timing and scope of the duties have sparked concerns among regional leaders and market participants about the consistency of US engagement.
The abrupt shift from high-level diplomatic assurances to punitive trade measures risks eroding trust in Washington as a stable economic partner.
This development follows a broader escalation in US trade policy.