More than 40% of Asia-Pacific businesses plan to shift attention away from the US over the next 12 months, according to new findings linked to a FedEx Asia Pacific trade survey. Of those planning a pivot, 22% are targeting intra-Asia markets and 21% Europe. About one-quarter still see the US as their primary market, but regulatory volatility and cost visibility are pushing many to diversify.
Singapore’s Business Times highlighted the same trend, noting the tilt towards Asia and Europe among regional firms reassessing export priorities.
What’s driving the shift
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Rule changes & complexity. 27% of businesses cite keeping up with evolving regulations as a top barrier. Firms want clearer, faster guidance for compliant shipping and documentation. FedEx Newsroom
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Cost control & duty transparency. 25% prioritise seeing pre-shipment duties/taxes and understanding DDP disbursement fees up front to avoid margin surprises.
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Alternative corridors improving. Carriers and logistics providers are strengthening intra-Asia links and Asia–Europe routes, making non-US expansion easier to execute.
What it means for exporters
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Hedge policy risk via market mix. If the US is your main buyer base, consider a 12-month plan to grow orders in ASEAN, North Asia, or the EU while maintaining core US accounts. The goal is to blunt regulatory shocks without losing key relationships.
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Tighten trade compliance early. Standardise HS-code assignment, document packs, and Incoterms. Treat landed-cost previews (duties, VAT, DDP fees) as a pre-quote step, not an afterthought.
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Use logistics intel. Leverage carrier tools/webinars that track tariff and paperwork updates, especially for shipments that still go to the US. Faster clarity = fewer delays.
Quick actions (next quarter)
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Map exposure: share of revenue by region; simulate a 10–20% US slowdown and identify the fastest-to-enter Asian/EU channels.
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Quote with landed costs: require pre-shipment duty/VAT estimates in every quote; set internal thresholds for acceptable variance.
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Diversify lanes: add at least one intra-Asia and one EU route for your top SKUs; pilot with existing distributors first.
Bottom line: The data points to a practical rebalancing—not a wholesale exit from the US. APAC exporters are spreading risk across intra-Asia and Europe, while demanding better cost and compliance visibility to protect margins.
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