Southeast Asia is firmly in the forefront of China’s trade efforts, which analysts predict will only grow as the West’s growing geopolitical tensions and Trump 2.0 administration in the United States drag on.
This will make the benefits and drawbacks for the area more obvious, according to observers, which highlights the growing needed for nations to integrate a reaction to Beijing as they try to balance the scales.  ,
Consumers in South Asian countries gain from the variety and relative accessibility of Chinese products on the one hand. But on the other hand, local sectors face an extremely fraught environment.
Local businesses are seeing eroding profit margins, plant closures, and widespread job losses, according to Doris Liew, an economist and assistant research manager at the Malaysian think tank the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs ( IDEAS ).
” Southeast Asia is grappling with the negative effects of China’s trade abundance, a problem that extends far beyond the region.
Analysts say the key is whether South Asian states can work together to navigate the landscape, especially given their varying stages of development and varying needs, as some South Asian states are considering countermeasures like anti-dumping tariffs.  ,
” The reality is that the consequences are wildly diverse for specific industries … a single cross-region or even cross-industry result is so unlikely”, Diana Choyleva, chief analyst at Enodo Economics, told CNA.
Blasting UP THE EXPORT ENGINES
China’s import website has been operating at full capacity as its local market struggles with a sluggish property market and weak consumer demand. Exports make up around 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product ( GDP ).
Exports in 2024 grew 7.1 per cent year-on-year to 25.45 trillion yuan ( US$ 3.47 trillion ), exceeding 25 trillion yuan for the first time, according to China customs data released on Monday ( Jan 13 ).  ,
” China consolidated its position as the world’s largest buying state in products”, said Wang Lingjun, assistant head of the General Administration of Customs, at a press conference on Monday.