India shines as Asian factories falter

The tariff freeze announced by US President Donald Trump on 2 April is set to lapse on 9 July

- Rhik Kundu

India stood out as a rare bright spot as manufacturing activity across most of Asia's export-driven economies faltered or saw only marginal improvement in June amid global trade tensions, worsened by a fresh wave of US tariffs.

Every major Asian economy that ran a trade surplus with the US last year saw factory output either contract or eke out a tepid rebound last month. That includes China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia—economies heavily reliant on American demand.

The tariff freeze announced by President Donald Trump on 2 April is set to lapse on 9 July, casting further uncertainty over Asia's near-term export outlook.