The real target is China World's weakest economies hit with punishing levies

World's weakest economies hit with punishing levies

- Kate Lamb and Rebecca Ratcliffe Bangkok

Developing nations in south-east Asia, including war-torn and earthquake-hit Myanmar, and several African countries are among the trading partners facing the highest tariffs set by Donald Trump.

Upending decades of US trade policy and threatening to unleash a global trade war, the US president announced a range of tariffs on Wednesday that he said were designed to stop the US economy from being "cheated".

"This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history," he said. "It's our declaration of economic independence."

Trump hailed the moment as "liberation day", but the tariffs are likely to be met with loud protests from some of the world's weakest economies.

One expert said Trump was likely to be targeting countries that received investment from China, regardless of their situation. Chinese manufacturers have previously relocated to countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia not only due to lower operating costs, but also to avoid tariffs.

The tariffs come as many countries in south-east Asia are already grappling with the fallout from the cuts to USAID, which provides humanitarian assistance and support for pro-democracy activists battling repressive regimes.