How Asian countries are reacting to Trump’s latest tariff announcements as deadline looms

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday stateside rejigged the so-called “reciprocal” tariff rates for several countries, ahead of the Friday deadline announced earlier.

The White House also announced a 40% tariff rate for all goods transshipped to the U.S. to avoid the applicable duties.

Countries not listed in the latest order will face an additional duty of 10%. The updated directive modifies tariffs imposed under the earlier executive order issued in April.

Trump in a post on Wednesday said, “THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE IS THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE — IT STANDS STRONG, AND WILL NOT BE EXTENDED. A BIG DAY FOR AMERICA!!!” A White House official, however, told CNBC-TV18 Friday that “reciprocal” duties would take effect from Aug. 7.

Here are reactions to Trump’s latest tariff announcements from countries in Asia as the clock ticks down to an uncertain deadline.

“This is a good news for the citizens and economy of Cambodia to continue developing the country,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Friday after the revised table of tariffs was released.

Cambodia now faces 19% duties, a massive cut from the “Liberation Day” tariff level of 49% — which were among the highest rates announced on April 2.

Manet also thanked Trump for “initiating and pushing for ceasefire between [the] Cambodian army and Thai army.” The two countries were involved in a border conflict last week.

Thailand’s Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said in a post on X that the tariff rate levied on the country “reflects the close friendship and partnership between Thailand and the United States,” according to a Google translation of his statement in Thai. The country faces 19% tariffs on exports to the U.S, lower than the original 36%.

Chunhavajira added that the announced tariff helps Thailand remain competitive on the global stage, builds investor confidence and allows economic growth.

However, he said that the government recognizes the impact of the tariffs on entrepreneurs and farmers, and has prepared “comprehensive support measures,” including soft loans, subsidies, and tax measures so as to help Thailand adapt.

Taiwan has been hit with a 20% “temporary tariff,” President Lai Ching-te said on his Facebook page, adding that negotiations were still ongoing.

This is lower than the 32% rate announced on April 2. “If an agreement is reached, it can be expected that the tariff rate will be further reduced,” Lai wrote on Friday.

Taiwan will also discuss supply chain cooperation and issues related to Section 232 in the future, he added, referring to the sectoral tariffs that Trump had imposed on national security grounds.

Malaysia saw its tariff rate reduced to 19% from the 25% announced in a “tariff letter” sent to the country in July.

Before the executive order, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the country’s parliament that “Tomorrow’s [Aug. 1] general tariff rate will ease and not burden our economy,” according to a CNBC translation of his speech in Malay

He also confirmed that Trump would be attending the 47th ASEAN summit in October, being held in Malaysia. The U.S. President attended only one ASEAN Summit in his first term.

Asia’s second-largest economy had struck a deal with Trump that brought tariffs on Japanese exports down to 15% from 25%, on July 23. The agreement also slashed duties on the country’s critical automobile sector down to 15%.

In a press conference on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the new tariff rates “will reduce uncertainty regarding U.S. trade policy and lower the risk of a downturn in our economy and the global economy,” national broadcaster NHK reported.

Japan will continue to urge the U.S. to sign the presidential order to bring auto tariffs down as soon as possible, Hayashi added, according to a Google translation of his speech in Japanese.

He also said the country will “do everything we can” to mitigate the tariff impact, including supporting the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Having not arrived at a deal with the U.S. President, India faces 25% tariff in the rejigged table, the same as announced on Wednesday.

On Thursday, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goel told the country’s parliament that the country has been negotiating with the U.S. for a trade agreement by October-November this year, according to a CNBC translation of his speech in Hindi.

He added that the government gives great importance to protecting farmers, entrepreneurs, and medium and small enterprises, and will take all needed steps to safeguard its national interest.