Trump tariffs threaten low-cost Southeast Asia manufacturers

Fishery and apparel companies in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia rely on cheap labor

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Companies like Vietnam's Song Hong Garment that supply clothes to Walmart could be hit hard by the new U.S. tariffs. © Reuters

KENYA AKAMA, YUJI NITTA and TOMOYOSHI OSHIKIRI

BANGKOK/HANOI/JAKARTA -- The new "reciprocal" tariffs imposed globally by U.S. President Donald Trump are fueling concern that higher costs will squeeze businesses in Southeast Asia that have relied on inexpensive labor.

Among the areas at risk are the fisheries and garment industries, which are especially labor-intensive and count on the U.S. as a major market.

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