South-east Asia’s key garment and footwear trade dodges tariff bullet – for now

[JAKARTA / HO CHI MINH CITY] South-east Asia’s role as the factory floor for global sportswear and apparel giants is being tested by the high-stakes tariffs stand-off with Washington – and the next 90 days of haggling could make or break the region’s edge as a manufacturing hub and long-term investment magnet.

Textiles, garments and footwear are not just big business for Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia – they are the lifeblood of their export economies, driving jobs and growth.

Vietnam remained South-east Asia’s top textile and footwear exporter to the US in 2024, racking up US$24.5 billion in shipments; Indonesia followed with US$7.1 billion, and Cambodia logged US$745.8 million, according to official data and industry sources.