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Asia's Factory Activity Plummets as Tariffs Bite

4/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Factory activity in Asia took a hit in March, with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan facing sharp declines amid rising U.S. tariffs and sluggish global demand. In a contrasting move, China's manufacturing surged as producers hurried to dispatch goods before the tariffs kicked in. Meanwhile, the EU is gearing up to retaliate while also pursuing negotiations.

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Story summary

Factory activity in Asia took a hit in March, with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan facing sharp declines amid rising U.S. tariffs and sluggish global demand. In a contrasting move, China's manufacturing surged as producers hurried to dispatch goods before the tariffs kicked in. Meanwhile, the EU is gearing up to retaliate while also pursuing negotiations.