ASEAN Is Scaling Up as a Manufacturing and Trade Hub
Merchandise exports reached USD 2.38 trillion in 2025, outpacing USD 2.10 trillion in imports
ASEAN Exports Have Doubled in a Decade, and Growth Is Accelerating
ASEAN exports jumped 22.5% in 2025, with Asia accounting for the majority of regional growth
Asia’s Manufacturing Momentum Is Shifting in 2026
India leads despite slowing in 2026; Thailand is gaining momentum; China is stabilising and Indonesia is slipping back into contraction
ASEAN’s Expanding Export Base, Driven by Electronics and Resources
Exports have doubled over the past decade as electronics manufacturing hubs and resource-exporting economies drive ASEAN’s trade expansion.
ASEAN-6: Diversified Industrial Engines of Southeast Asia
Combining high-tech export platforms, scale-driven domestic markets and a global trade hub, ASEAN-6 is a uniquely diversified industrial ecosystem.
Thailand: ASEAN’s Established Industrial Platform
Thailand’s USD 300 billion export base, rising FDI inflows and manufacturing depth keep it central to ASEAN supply chains.
A Small Set of Emerging Markets Is Driving Machinery & Electronics Export Scale to the World’s Largest Markets
Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand and India anchor export volumes to China, the EU and the U.S., while India stands out for the fastest growth.
The Rise of Next-Tier Manufacturing Economies Beyond China
Manufacturing growth shifted toward lower-cost, mid-scale economies, but only a small group has combined sustained expansion with rising industrial weight.
Emerging Market Exporters Beyond China to Watch in 2026
Export growth in emerging markets beyond China is concentrating among a small group of mid-scale exporters outpacing global trade.
Trade Crossroads of the World: The Strategic Rise of ASEAN’s Exports
The 11 ASEAN economies are integrated into a diverse bloc in Southeast Asia, a region that is now the world’s leading conduit between East and West.