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Tariff Turmoil Hits Vulnerable Fashion Manufacturers in Southeast Asia

Looming ‘reciprocal’ US tariffs threaten the profitability of larger suppliers and the viability of smaller ones in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia where some factories already face cancelled orders and worker layoffs.

Employees work at a Chinese-funded textile and garment factory on November 18, 2024 in Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia. — Employees work at a Chinese-funded textile and garment factory on November 18, 2024 in Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia. (Getty Images)

By

Brooke Roberts-Islam

08 July 2025

BoF PROFESSIONAL

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When Donald Trump announced tariffs of up to 145 percent on US imports back in April, global brands reeled. The US president then paused the scheme following financial market turmoil, reverting to a 10 percent ‘baseline’ tariff on imports from all countries except for China at 30 percent. But despite

About the author

Brooke Roberts-Islam

Brooke Roberts-Islam is a contributing writer for The Business of Fashion. She is based in London, England and is an author, public speaker and journalist with a focus on sustainability and technology.

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