Asian countries are set to continue to face tough tests in 2025, with manufacturing sectors under severe pressure.
2024 ended on a high note for Asian factories, with China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam reporting sharp declines in factory activity, reflecting weak demand and rising economic uncertainty.
However, amid the gloom, Taiwan and Singapore have emerged as a source of some relief.
Taiwan recorded its highest PMI reading in five months, driven by strong overseas demand, while Singapore recorded its fastest annual growth since the pandemic, driven by a surge in exports ahead of possible new tariffs.
The threat of major tariffs from US President-elect Donald Trump continues to loom over the region.
The move is expected to have a profound impact on global trade in 2025, further exacerbating the situation for Asian countries already struggling with weak demand and domestic political tensions.
Will the region be able to survive or will it be further squeezed by a wave of economic uncertainty?
