Source link : https://news7.asia/business/not-just-trump-asia-has-a-trade-problem-of-its-own-making-the-economist/
As global trade dynamics continue to shift, much attention has focused on the disruptions stemming from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies. Yet, beneath the headlines dominated by Western tensions lies a significant but often overlooked issue: Asia’s own self-inflicted trade challenges. From rigid supply chains to conflicting regional priorities, the continent faces structural and policy-driven obstacles that threaten its role as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse. This article explores how Asia’s trade problems are not merely collateral damage from external pressures but the result of decisions and dynamics within the region itself.
Asia’s internal trade barriers undermine regional growth and integration
Despite Asia’s rapid economic growth, the region continues to grapple with a web of protectionist policies and bureaucratic hurdles that stifle the free flow of goods and services. National interests often take precedence over regional cooperation, creating a patchwork of tariffs, regulatory discrepancies, and customs procedures that inflate costs and delay shipments. Such barriers disproportionately impact small and medium-sized enterprises, curtailing their ability to participate in cross-border trade and limiting the benefits of regional supply chains. Experts warn that without concerted efforts to harmonize standards and simplify trade protocols, Asia’s potential as a cohesive economic bloc will remain unfulfilled.
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Author : Miles Cooper
Publish date : 2025-10-14 11:16:00
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