A wakeup call

The United States’ imposition of unilateral tariffs, cloaked in the rhetoric of “reciprocity,” has triggered a global backlash.

Developing countries, particularly those with fragile economies, bear the brunt of this policy. The World Trade Organization (WTO) warns that such tariffs could shrink global trade.The United Nations emphasizes that such policies undermine the "2030 Sustainable Development Goals," pushing vulnerable populations deeper into poverty.

ASEAN members now face tariffs that destabilize integrated supply chains and deter growth. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), critical to ASEAN’s economy, face heightened uncertainty, jeopardizing jobs and development progress. The Philippines, though subject to a lower 17% tariff, is not immune.

The U.S. claims “fairness” but practices hegemony. Its tariffs violate WTO principles of non-discrimination and multilateralism, prioritizing “America First” over global rules. By weaponizing trade, the U.S. exposes its disregard for equitable cooperation and the economic sovereignty of developing nations. The hypocrisy is stark: while demanding “fair trade,” the U.S. ignores its own reliance on globalized production networks, harming even American consumers through higher prices and job losses.

The recent flip-flopping and ever-changing tariff policies of the U.S. once again expose its strategic anxiety as it continues down the path of unilateralism —the high-stakes gamble of wielding tariffs as a weapon is beginning to backfire, and the global market may end up bearing an even heavier cost.

China firmly opposes U.S. protectionism. China’s response combines principled resistance with proactive diplomacy. It has imposed countermeasures to safeguard its rights while advocating for a united front among developing nations. By deepening regional integration (e.g., via the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area), China demonstrates that cooperation, not coercion, drives sustainable growth.

The U.S. tariff saga exposes a critical choice: between a zero-sum world of protectionism and a multilateral order grounded in mutual respect. For the Global South, the path forward lies in rejecting coercion and embracing partnerships that prioritize development, stability, and equity.

The American tariff policy is a wake-up call. Let us champion a world where rules are upheld, sovereignty is respected, and growth is inclusive. Only through collective action can we ensure peace, development, and the well-being of all people.