Decoupling of economies affects Asian trade development

Economic Outlook

  • China,
  • India,
  • Indonesia,
  • Malaysia,
  • Philippines,
  • South Korea,
  • Thailand,
  • Vietnam
  • General economic

9th December 2020

Asia coped relatively well with the Covid-19 pandemic and an economic recovery is expected in 2021, though with several challenges to trade in the region

Key points

  • Economic recovery has started in most Asian countries, with underlying growth strongest in Vietnam and China. India has the weakest starting position.
  • Thailand, Malaysia and China have supported their economies with more fiscal stimulus than other countries in the region. However, the Chinese authorities will restrain themselves now, in order to avoid a further increase of macro leverage.
  • The new Five-Year-Plan means China will focus even more on domestic, consumer-led growth than before, and less on exports. Despite the external pillar in the ‘dual circulation’ strategy, China’s aim to be less reliant on foreign technology and better equipped to external shocks will strengthen the international trend of decoupling of economies.
  • With a new administration, the US will maintain a tough approach to China, albeit one that is more predictable and less confrontational. By working together with the EU, Japan and other allies, the Biden administration – avoiding the Trump administration’s confrontational attitude – will probably be more successful in persuading China to introduce changes in trade, competition and other relevant areas.
  • Regional supply chains are changing because of rising wage costs in China and changing trade policies. Covid-19 will probably accelerate this process, because dependence on only one country has proven problematic. Based on relative attractiveness, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore stand out as the countries best positioned, but in different sectors.
Disclaimer

Each publication available on or from our websites, such as, but not limited to webpages, reports, articles, publications, tips and helpful content, trading briefs, infographics, videos (each a “Publication”) is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or advice as to particular transactions, investments or strategies in any way to any reader. Readers must make their own independent decisions, commercial or otherwise, regarding the information provided. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in any Publication has been obtained from reliable sources, Atradius is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in any Publication is provided ’as is’, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from its use, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied. In no event will Atradius, its related partnerships or corporations, or the partners, agents or employees thereof, be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in any Publication, or for any loss of opportunity, loss of profit, loss of production, loss of business or indirect losses, special or similar damages of any kind, even if advised of the possibility of such losses or damages.