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Trump Tariffs Pinch Southeast Asian Firms, From Tuna to Electronics

U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs are weighing on earnings of Southeast Asian companies, with canned tuna manufacturer Thai Union downgrading its forecast and an electronics manufacturer warning of a potential impact after July.

Thai Union, which owns U.S.-based Chicken of the Sea, has revised its sales growth for the year ending December from the previous 3%-4% to 1%-3%, assuming a blanket 10% tariff announced in early April by Trump. Continue reading here (Source: Nikkei Asia).

Thai Exports Surge for Tenth Month, Defying US Tariff Fears

Thailand's exports continued their impressive upward trajectory in April 2025, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth and showcasing the enduring strength of the nation's economy. 

According to Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, total export value for the month reached $25.625 billion, an increase of 10.2% year-on-year.

The consistent performance reflects a robust Thai economic sector, even amidst previous concerns regarding potential US tariff impacts. Continue reading here (Source: The Nation).

PNG Tuna Industry to Get Boost from Fisheries Strategic Plan

The country's tuna industry will be boosted with the launching of the national tuna domestication strategy, says Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Jelta Wong.

The Government is strengthening PNG's tuna industry through the endorsement of a fisheries strategic plan.

"Under this plan, the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has formulated the national tuna domestication strategy to ensure that PNG retains a major share of the value of tuna catches," Wong said. Continue reading here (Source: The National).

Canned Fish Sales Increase

Tinned fish is trending as Americans look to save money in the face of economic uncertainty.

We’re not just talking about cans of tuna, sardines and anchovies, there are more options these days like herring, mackerel and calamari.

Searches for “tinned fish” on Google have maintained an uptick since the holidays, and in the past 90 days, searches for Nuri’s Portuguese sardines in spiced olive oil skyrocketed nearly 3,000%. Continue reading here (Source: ABC Columbia).

Recognizing Progress in Tuna Fisheries Management

A growing share of the global tuna catch comes from stocks that are not subject to overfishing, thanks largely to continuously improving management by tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs). As an advocate and partner for science-based reforms, ISSF has played a catalytic role in driving many of these improvements.

Through targeted research, technical guidance, and the development of practical tools, ISSF has supported RFMOs in advancing key areas of fisheries management — particularly in strengthening compliance frameworks and expanding the use of electronic monitoring (EM). ISSF has also led pioneering research on fish aggregating device (FAD) designs, promoting the adoption of non-entangling and biodegradable materials to reduce ecological impacts and support sustainable fishing practices. These efforts have helped RFMOs build more transparent, accountable, and effective management systems. Continue reading here (Source: International Seafood Sustainability Foundation).

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