U.S. Trade Tensions Resurface: Is Southeast Asia Still a Safe Harbor for Overseas Expansion?
In mid-December 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced tariffs ranging from 21.31% to 271.2% on solar cells imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, depending on the manufacturers specific circumstances. This move has introduced new uncertainties for Chinese companies already operating or planning to expand into Southeast Asia, forcing them to accelerate the development of countermeasures.