President Donald Trump’s newly announced reciprocal tariffs are set to inflict the heaviest toll on some of the world’s most vulnerable economies, jeopardising labour-intensive export sectors and undermining one of the United States’ key economic advantages over China, reports Bloomberg.
Cambodia has been hit with Asia’s highest tariff rate of 49% under the levies announced on Wednesday, while Bangladesh—a powerhouse in garment manufacturing—faces a 37% duty.
Laos has been subjected to a 48% tariff, while Lesotho, in southern Africa, has been slapped with a 50% rate.
Myanmar, still reeling from a catastrophic earthquake that claimed more than 3,000 lives last week, has been burdened with a 45% duty.
The move raises concerns over the economic resilience of these developing nations, many of which rely heavily on exports to sustain growth and employment.
Critics argue that such punitive measures could drive business away from the United States and towards China, which continues to strengthen trade ties with emerging markets.
