Will Trump’s tariffs force Global South to show ‘true colours’ on US and China?

Beijing’s ties with developing world to face test as Washington may push countries to take tougher China stance, analysts say

Reading Time:3 minutes

US President Donald Trump pumps his fist after announcing reciprocal tariffs on American trade partners at the White House in Washington on April 2. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:00pm, 9 Apr 2025Updated: 11:43pm, 9 Apr 2025

China’s ties with the Global South might soon face a fresh test as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs could force developing countries to “show their true colours” if pushed to choose between Beijing and Washington, according to analysts.

The assessment came after the American leader last week announced country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs on its trading partners, including countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Several major developing economies face additional tariffs that kicked in on Wednesday, including South Africa at 30 per cent, India at 26 per cent, and Brazil at 10 per cent.

Cambodia was slapped with one of the highest tariff rates at 49 per cent. Imports from Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia will face duties of 46, 36 and 32 per cent, respectively.

China, now hit with a 104 per cent tariff rate, has retaliated with its own set of measures and vowed to “fight to the end”. But most other emerging economies have so far sought to make a deal with the US.

Benjamin Ho, an assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ China programme, said Trump’s sweeping tariffs on the developing world meant that countries might be nudged to “show their true colours” as the US was “taking a big stick and hammering China”.