Home›Global Markets›Trade & Tariffs›US names nine ASEAN countries in probe of tariff-evasi…

US names nine ASEAN countries in probe of tariff-evasion routes

A White House report branded a “Shadow Transshipment Network,” while trade specialists warned it could blur the line between illegal diversion and normal supply-chain diversification.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

Southeast Asian exporters may face a tougher burden of proof to demonstrate their goods are not being used to route Chinese-origin products around US tariffs after the White House identified nine countries in the region as part of a so-called “Shadow Transshipment Network,” according to SCMP Economy.

The warning was contained in a White House report titled “The Great Transshipment Scam,” which alleged Chinese-origin goods were being moved through third countries, potentially to avoid the US tariff regime.

While the US signaled concern about deliberate tariff evasion, the story also notes a risk of conflating illegal transshipment with legitimate supply-chain diversification, particularly in cases where production or sourcing involves China.

SCMP Economy cited international trade specialist Barrett Bingley, who said a supply chain that touches China is not the same as illegal transshipment and argued the region should not be treated as though it is engaging in evasion.

More like this

Sources