Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

As trade tensions and new US tariff investigations rattle global supply chains, Southeast Asian economies are looking to broaden their options.

But analysts say that the region’s deep links with the United States and China mean any shift will be gradual rather than a clean break – and may yet work in Asean’s favour.

Meeting at the Asean Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Manila on Friday, they pledged to work closely with industry stakeholders and development partners to reinforce regional supply chains through “binding Asean agreements”.

The bloc is pushing for the timely ratification of an upgraded intra-Asean trade agreement that would allow greater concessions on goods traded among member states, as well as a digital economy framework to support cross-border data flows and deeper regional integration.