The global economy is on edge after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that 100% tariffs on Chinese imports will take effect on November 1, a move that threatens to deepen tensions between the world’s two largest economies and unsettle global supply chains.
According to local news sources, the sweeping tariff package covers a broad range of goods, including electronics, machinery, and consumer products, and will be accompanied by tighter U.S. export controls on high-end software. The decision follows months of mounting friction over trade balances, technology access, and China’s curbs on rare earth exports.
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a press briefing, following his announcement of new 100% tariffs on Chinese imports set to take effect November 1 Photo Courtesy AP/Evan Vucci
Financial markets reacted swiftly. Major U.S. indices slipped as investors weighed the risk of renewed trade volatility, while Asian currencies weakened against the dollar. Trade data show that Chinese exports to the United States dropped roughly 27% in September compared to the previous year—a sign that businesses have already started bracing for economic fallout.
In Thailand, where industries such as electronics and automotive manufacturing depend on Chinese parts, the tariff shock is being closely watched. Rising import costs and delayed shipments could test the country’s export resilience, while any prolonged U.S.–China rift may disrupt regional trade routes that link Thai manufacturers to global markets.
Beijing has sharply criticized the new U.S. measures, calling them destabilizing for the global economy and warning of possible countermeasures. Washington, meanwhile, insists that the tariffs are necessary to address years of uneven trade flows and national security risks tied to technology dependence.
The timing of Trump’s announcement—just weeks before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit—has added diplomatic tension to an already fragile geopolitical climate. Officials on both sides have left the door open for further talks, but expectations for a breakthrough remain low.
The escalation underscores how exposed global manufacturing has become to political rivalry. If the tariffs hold, supply chains may shift, prices could climb, and export-driven economies like Thailand will face another round of uncertainty in an already unpredictable year.
