SINGAPORE – Manufacturing activity across Asia cooled last month, signaling weakening demand and foreshadowing the potential impact of escalating global trade tensions. Data from S&P Global revealed a general slowdown in factory output, new orders, and exports across several key economies.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a key indicator of manufacturing health, painted a concerning picture. Vietnam's PMI contracted further to 48.9, with output declining for the first time in four months. South Korea's activity barely expanded, registering a PMI of just 50.3, slightly above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction.

Southeast Asia as a whole experienced an 11-month low in manufacturing activity, with a regional PMI of 50.4. While South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia saw slight improvements, other major economies, including Japan, witnessed a deterioration in manufacturing conditions. China, a crucial engine for regional growth, also saw its manufacturing growth weaken to a four-month low, falling short of economists' forecasts.

A common thread across many nations was the softening of both output and new orders. Export orders, a crucial component of manufacturing health, declined for the third consecutive month in Vietnam, weakened in Taiwan, and contracted for the eighth month in Japan. South Korea was a notable exception, experiencing a slight uptick in export orders. The pace of input purchases also slowed, reaching a three-month low, and business confidence remained subdued in Southeast Asia, according to S&P Global.

"New orders and output both expanded at a softer pace, and the export market continued to hold back overall sales growth," commented Maryam Baluch, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

These figures reflect the manufacturing landscape prior to recently announced tariffs by the U.S. The levies, targeting major trading partners including China, Mexico, and Canada, are expected to significantly disrupt global trade flows. While some Asian nations might benefit from a shift in production as businesses seek to circumvent tariffs, the overall impact is anticipated to be negative. The U.S. administration has also signaled potential tariffs on the European Union, hinting at a further escalation of trade tensions.

The region already faces numerous headwinds. Slowing economic growth in China, Europe, and the U.S. has dampened demand for Asian exports, particularly for crucial technology products like semiconductors from Taiwan and South Korea. Rising protectionism globally also presents a significant risk. Although the U.S. has largely avoided direct tariff actions against most Asian nations (with China being a major exception), its emphasis on trade deficits creates a climate of uncertainty. The impact of U.S. tariffs on China is also expected to ripple across the region, impacting economic activity. The confluence of these factors suggests a challenging outlook for Asian manufacturing in the months to come.