Asia PMIs Split as South Korea, Vietnam Weather Trump Tariffs

Manufacturing across Asia was split last month, with activity improved in South Korea and steady in Vietnam, a major US supplier, while President Donald Trump’s global trade levies appeared to bite into demand from Taiwan and Japan.

Malaysia, along with semiconductor hub Taiwan and Japan, held below the 50-mark, which divides readings between contraction and expansion, while the Philippines slipped under it, S&P Global data published Wednesday showed. Meanwhile, Thailand joined South Korea with faster activity, while Indonesia slowed but stayed within expansionary territory.

The September report marks the first full month of manufacturing PMI ...