Asia-Pacific Trade Dynamics: Tariffs, Labor Claims, and Counterfeit Goods

Key Intelligence

• ■Singapore is strongly refuting US allegations of forced labor, indicating potential trade friction and scrutiny over supply chain practices.
• ■China appears to be downplaying new US tariffs, suggesting a strategic move to maintain stability in US-China relations ahead of a potential high-level visit.
• ■Vietnamese authorities successfully busted a large-scale trade fraud operation involving tens of thousands of counterfeit Nike shoes, underscoring ongoing challenges with intellectual property theft in global supply chains.