KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 – A new survey by Milieu Insight highlights deepening concerns across Southeast Asia following the U.S.’s announcement of steep new tariffs on regional exports, with 90% of respondents expecting rising prices and nearly 75% planning to cut back on imported goods.
The study, polling over 6,000 people in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam, reveals a marked shift in consumer sentiment—especially toward local products—as citizens brace for economic strain. Electronics, automobiles, and household appliances are among the goods most feared to be impacted, with many expecting businesses to pass on tariff-related costs to consumers.
Confidence in government responses remains mixed, underscoring growing public pressure to develop stronger domestic industries and implement protective economic measures.
