Rest of Asia Compensates for U.S. Drop in Chinese Imports

New data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that other countries in Asia have compensated for the tariff-related drop of Chinese imports to the United States. As a result, imports to the U.S. from so-called Pacific Rim countries only dropped slightly to around $886 billion between January and October 2025 (latest available) from $914 billion in the same time period in 2024.

While imports from China were down from previously $401 billion in Jan.-Oct. 2024 to only $287 billion in the same time period last year, imports from places including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan rose from $513 billion to $599 billion as Asian countries have proven resilient and competitive despite trade shocks. At the same time, imports from Thailand and Vietnam were also up. Overall imports into the U.S. also rose between the two time periods, from $3.0 trillion to $3.1 trillion.

U.S. President Donald Trump on April 2 kicked off a major tariff regime that increased import duties on goods headed for the U.S. to levels last seen before the middle of the past century. The Trump administration has argued that tariffs will promote domestic manufacturing and protect national interests while neutralizing unfair trade practices employed by other nations. However, as of October, no turnaround on U.S. foreign imports and trade deficits was discernible.