In a recent article Nikkei Asia Review said that tensions pressure the governments of regional countries to cut interest rates in order to boost their economies.

The trade tensions began biting Southeast Asia in late 2018. Official statistics showed that in the second quarter, the gross domestic product (GDP) of five out of the region's six major economies, including Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, saw slower growth, with Thailand and Singapore suffering the most, facing falling demand for their key manufacturing exports, such as electronic products.