Asean’s trade links with US aren’t significant, but could it get any worse with Trump?

SINGAPORE (Dec 5): The United States' economy is expected to grow from 1.6% in 2016 to 2.3% and 2.7% in 2017 and 2018 respectively, driven by tax cuts and higher government spending, according to forecasts by HSBC.

The Federal Reserve is also expected to hike rates more frequently and more quickly for the next two years, but Asean may see little impact from it.

HSBC economist Lim Su Sian notes that total trade between US and the region amounts to just US$212.3 billion ($302.7 billion), making it the fourth-largest trading partner after China, Canada and Mexico. China has a 2.7% share of total US imports.

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