"Manufacturers, retailers blindsided by tariffs on Asian garment hubs", 3 April 2025

Cambodian garment factory workers fear losing their jobs after the country was hit by some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s heftiest tariffs.

Cambodia is facing tariffs of 49%, denting hopes that it could attract investment relocating from other countries in the region...

Workers Reuters spoke to outside a factory in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh were unanimous in their appeals for the U.S. to ease the tariffs.

"Now we don’t have over time work and with the introduction of these tariffs, if the factory shuts down, we will all die because we can’t afford to live with high costs from the rent, and all kind of goods and food too.”

Cambodia was not the only Southeast Asian country impacted by the sweeping new tariffs...

Vietnam was targeted with a 46% tariff rate, Bangladesh with 37% and Indonesia with 32%.

The result will likely be rising prices of sportswear and clothing in the United States.

Shares in Nike, Adidas and Puma each dropped at least 10% on the announcement.

Nike produced half its footwear and roughly 30% of its apparel in Vietnam in its 2024 financial year.

While Adidas relied on the Asian nation for 39% of its footwear and 18% of its apparel.

The International Apparel Federation, which represents garment manufacturers in 40 countries, called the tariffs a "major shock."

"Ultimately," the association said in a statement. "Someone will have to pay the price."