On October 26, President Donald Trump announced that the United States reached trade agreements with Cambodia and Malaysia, as well as frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam. These are largely aimed at enhancing coordination on economic and national security priorities as opposed to providing tariff relief. The trading partners will remain subject to the reciprocal tariffs outlined in Executive Order 14326, with strategic exemptions included in the established trade agreements.

All four agreements and frameworks notably include trade alignment provisions targeting third countries that adopt unfair trade practices. Cambodia and Malaysia agreed to adopt U.S. tariffs on other countries, as well as coordinate on tariff evasion, exports controls and other trade enforcement measures. Thailand and Vietnam similarly agreed to finalize commitments related to supply chain resiliency. These measures appear designed to curb China’s influence in the Southeast Asia region, thus enhancing the effectiveness of U.S. trade restrictions.

Below outlines the latest commitments reached between the United States and (I) Cambodia, (II) Malaysia, (III) Thailand and (IV) Vietnam.

Cambodia: Agreement, Joint Statement

The United States and Cambodia reached a Trade and Investment Framework, strengthening economic and diplomatic relations between the nations. The majority of Cambodian imports will remain subject to a 19% reciprocal tariff—a decrease from the 49% tariff announced on “Liberation Day.” However, Cambodian goods outlined in Annex III will be exempt from the reciprocal tariff rate. This annex was established under Executive Order 14346 and includes a list of products for which the administration will “consider” reducing the reciprocal tariffs to 0% based on the agreements that various trading partners reach with the United States. In exchange, Cambodia will remove all tariffs and quotas on American goods and coordinate with the United States on economic and national security priorities. Cambodia will also facilitate U.S. investments in its critical minerals and energy capabilities, as well as private sector investments in U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Additional commitments from Cambodia include:

Trade Barriers

• Excluding the United States from import licensing requirements and technical regulations that are discriminatory, duplicative or burdensome in a way that reduces the competitiveness of American exports;
• Providing enhanced market access for U.S. agricultural goods, while not entering new agreements with “third countries” whose standards or sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are “incompatible with U.S. or international standards”;
• Ensuring U.S. services’ suppliers receive equal treatment as domestic and third-country suppliers;
• Facilitating digital trade with the United States, including an exemption from any digital services taxes or restrictions; and
• Coordinating with state-owned or -controlled enterprises (SOEs) to prevent discrimination against U.S. goods and services.

Customs Enforcement

• Combating transshipment and other practices used to evade duties through the establishment of a duty evasion cooperation agreement with the United States;
• Strengthening intellectual property rights through civil, criminal and border enforcement; and
• Prohibiting the importation of goods mined, produced or manufactured wholly or in part by forced or compulsory labor and coordinating with the United States on best practices.

Coordination

• Adopting U.S. trade restrictions, such as tariffs, applicable to third countries;
• Implementing measures to address unfair practices of companies owned or controlled by third countries operating in Cambodia that undermine U.S. competitiveness;
• Imposing equivalent measures to the United States with regard to shipbuilding; and
• Regulating the trade of sensitive technologies, transactions by individuals or entities on the U.S. Entity List and, to the extent possible, investment activity related to economic and national security matters.

Malaysia: Agreement, Fact Sheet, Joint Statement

The United States and Malaysia reached a Trade and Investment Framework aimed at enhancing coordination on economic and national security priorities. Malaysian imports will remain subject to a 19% reciprocal tariff—a decrease from the 25% tariff announced on “Liberation Day.” In exchange, Malaysia will reduce tariffs on American goods ranging from chemicals, passenger vehicles, machinery and meat and dairy products. Malaysia will also invest $70 billion in the U.S. energy, telecommunication, transportation and infrastructure sectors over the next 10 years. Additional commitments from Malaysia include:

Trade Barriers

• Excluding the United States from import licensing requirements and technical regulations that are discriminatory, duplicative or burdensome in a way that reduces the competitiveness of American exports;
• Providing preferential market access for U.S. agricultural goods, while not entering new agreements with “third countries” whose standards or sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are “incompatible with U.S. or international standards”;
• Extending any commitment made with a third country regarding trade in services to the United States; and
• Facilitating digital trade with the United States, including an exemption from any digital services taxes or restrictions;

Customs Enforcement

• Combating transshipment and other practices used to evade duties through the establishment of a duty evasion cooperation agreement with the United States;
• Aligning border measures applicable to third-country imports, which may include the establishment of rules of origin requirements;
• Strengthening intellectual property rights through civil, criminal and border enforcement; and
• Prohibiting the importation of goods mined, produced or manufactured wholly or in part by forced or compulsory labor and coordinating with the United States on best practices.

Coordination

• Adopting U.S. trade restrictions, such as tariffs, applicable to third countries;
• Implementing measures to address unfair practices of companies owned or controlled by third countries operating in Malaysia that undermine U.S. competitiveness;
• Regulating the trade of sensitive technologies, transactions by individuals or entities on the U.S. Entity List and inbound investments, specifically in relation to critical minerals and critical infrastructure; and
• Encouraging shipbuilding by market economy countries.

Thailand: Joint Statement

The United States and Thailand reached a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, outlining key terms of a future comprehensive trade agreement. Thai imports will remain subject to a 19% reciprocal tariff—a decrease from the 36% tariff announced on “Liberation Day.” In exchange, Thailand will eliminate tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports, including industrial and agricultural goods. Thailand will also increase its purchases of American agricultural products, aircraft and energy. Additional commitments from Thailand include:

• Addressing non-tariff barriers on U.S. exports, including digital services, motor vehicles, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, meat and poultry products and ethanol;
• Coordinating on economic and national security priorities to combat unfair trade practices by third countries;
• Enhancing labor protections to combat forced and child labor; and
• Strengthening intellectual property enforcement against trademark, copyright and patent violations.

Vietnam: Joint Statement

The United States and Vietnam reached a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, outlining key terms of a future comprehensive trade agreement. President Trump previously announced that the nations had reached an agreement in July, which was never confirmed by the Vietnamese government. Under the framework, Vietnamese imports will remain subject to a 20% tariff—a decrease from the 46% tariff proposed on “Liberation Day.” In exchange, Vietnam will eliminate tariffs and provide preferential market access for the majority of U.S. industrial and agricultural products. Additional commitments from Vietnam include:

• Addressing non-tariff barriers on U.S. exports, including agricultural products, motor vehicles, medical devices and pharmaceuticals;
• Enhancing supply chain resiliency by combating tariff evasion and implementing export controls;
• Collaborating on digital services trade, labor and environmental protections, intellectual property rights and other regulatory practices; and
• Supporting private sector engagements between Vietnamese and U.S. companies.