The US has imposed tariffs on Vietnamese exporters, sparking concerns about the impact on the region. Asean has chosen not to retaliate against the US but will engage with Washington in talks to reduce the tariffs. The move has caused market jitters, affecting Bursa Malaysia and potentially impacting Malaysians. However, some glove makers are expected to benefit from the new tariffs.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/04/us-tariffs-anwar-to-chair-special-meeting-this-eveningBangladesh plans to revise its import policy in response to a 37% tariff imposed by the US on Bangladeshi imports. The country aims to ease non-tariff barriers to facilitate US exports, while Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is optimistic about resolving the tariff issue through talks with the US government. Bangladesh will also simplify investment and business processes as part of its efforts to negotiate tariff reductions and strengthen domestic competitiveness.
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/tariff-issue-will-be-resolved-through-talks-us-ca-1107336Russian diplomat Anatoly Dmitriev met with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House to discuss potential cooperation in areas such as the Arctic and rare earth metals, as well as restoring air travel between the two countries. The talks aimed to build constructive relations despite disagreements on various points, with Dmitriev expressing optimism about the dialogue process and its ability to resolve differences over time.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/04/russian-envoy-seeks-cooperation-with-us-at-landmark-washington-talks-a88601Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held bilateral talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock, Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Yerapetritis, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha during his summit in Istanbul, strengthening diplomatic ties and addressing regional security concerns.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/fidan-reinforces-turkiyes-nato-role-at-key-brussels-summit-207660The European Union is holding its first high-level meeting with Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The summit is seen as a historic opportunity for the region, hosted by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Trade turnover between Central Asia and the EU has quadrupled to €54 billion over seven years, with over 1,000 European companies investing €30 billion in joint projects in Uzbekistan.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/04/watch-euronews-is-live-at-second-day-of-first-ever-eu-central-asia-summitFrench employers' federation Medef head Patrick Martin described the situation as "very serious" after US tariffs were announced, calling for a more massive response. France Industrie's president Alexandre Saubot said French manufacturers should consider retaliating by suspending investment projects in the US to negotiate from a position of strength. French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls criticized the US decision as "deeply political", while economist Vincent Vicard warned that Trump's announcements "blow up" international trade rules. The US tariffs have had a significant impact on France, with direct investments worth $370 billion in 2023, and over 4,200 subsidiaries of French companies operating in the US employing 741,000 people.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/macron-urges-eu-firms-to-pause-investments-in-us-after-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-13877083.htmlThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its global growth forecast to 3.3 percent for this year, a decline from the average rate of 3.7 percent over the first two decades of the 21st century. The IMF's new outlook will be released later this month, coinciding with the Spring Meetings in Washington, where the impact of the US trade tariffs is expected to be a major topic of discussion.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-tariffs-a-significant-risk-to-global-economy-imf-chief-207666Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Ishiba will meet with opposition party leaders to discuss the supplementary budget bill, as his minority government relies on their cooperation to pass it. Ishiba has instructed ministers to press the US to review new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which Japan considers "extremely regrettable" and may violate World Trade Organization rules and US-Japan trade agreements. The Nikkei 225 index fell over three percent on Friday, following a similar drop in the S&P 500 on Wall Street, its largest daily decline since 2020.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/trump-tariffs-a-national-crisis-japan-pm-shigeru-ishiba-calls-for-a-calm-headed-approach-8083329Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed an unprecedented response to US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, describing the move as a "national crisis". In a parliamentary session in Tokyo, Ishiba expressed strong opposition to the reciprocal tariffs, which have sparked tensions between Japan and the US. The Japanese government is considering significant trade measures in retaliation against the US actions.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250404/p2g/00m/0na/032000c