Asia Manufacturing Rebounds as Global Demand Weathers Trump Hit

Trade bellwethers Taiwan and South Korea led a rebound in Asia’s manufacturing activity, with firms heading into 2026 with optimism that global demand is weathering President Donald Trump’s war on free trade.

Key economies in the region expanded factory activity in December, reporting an uptick in new orders and output even as cost pressures climbed, according to S&P Global purchasing managers’ indexes released Friday.

The latest data could assuage concerns about the impact of US tariffs on the world’s manufacturing floor. While the AI boom has lifted electronics trade in the region, other merchandise goods had taken a hit ...