Trump's win is Asia's economic loss if trade barriers rise

Hong Kong

JUST when China's economy seemed to be stabilising, Donald Trump's election as US president poses significant new risks. Not just for Chinese growth, but the entire Asia region. That's because the president-elect campaigned on a policy platform with protectionism at its centre. Mr Trump wants to slap punitive tariffs on Chinese goods and label the world's No. 2 economy a currency manipulator.

Such a move would hurt Chinese exports. But it could also trigger a trade war if Beijing retaliates, catching other Asian economies in the crossfire.