Several Southeast Asian countries are moving to increase their agricultural imports from the United States under new trade agreements that grant them lower export tariffs compared with suppliers such as Australia and Canada. The arrangements are expected to shift global trade flows in key commodities, with Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Thailand among the main participants.
Indonesia’s wheat demand
Indonesia has committed to purchasing at least one million tonnes of US wheat annually under the new framework. The country, already one of the world’s largest wheat importers, sees the deal as a way to ensure stable supply and hedge against price volatility, while strengthening its trade partnership with Washington.
Vietnam ramps up maize imports
Vietnam, a major consumer of animal feed, is set to expand its maize imports from the United States, with plans to spend around two billion dollars on US agricultural products. Officials in Hanoi describe the move as part of a broader food security strategy and a way to diversify sourcing away from traditional suppliers.
Regional participation
Bangladesh, the Philippines and Thailand are also involved, with agreements that will lower costs of importing US grains and other produce. For Washington, the deals represent an opportunity to lock in long-term markets across a fast-growing region where food demand is climbing alongside rising incomes and urbanisation.
Global implications
The agreements could recalibrate global agricultural trade. Australia and Canada, long-established suppliers of wheat and maize to Asia, may face intensified competition as the tariff differential shifts demand toward US shipments. Analysts note that transport costs, currency fluctuations and crop yields will still influence flows, but the preferential terms are expected to tilt the balance in favour of US producers.
Strategic context
The deals are also viewed through a geopolitical lens. By deepening agricultural trade ties with Southeast Asia, the United States is seeking to expand its economic influence in a region where China remains a dominant partner. For Southeast Asian governments, the agreements provide leverage to diversify supply chains and reduce overdependence on any single market.
REFH – Newshub, 28 August 2025
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