Asian countries are among the most vulnerable to President Trump’s economic grievances. But they are also best placed to make deals to minimize their exposure.

President Donald Trump and his economic team are increasingly focusing on the revenues his tariffs would generate as he seeks to get tax cuts through Congress, pointing to an ominous path ahead for countries trying to avoid a trade war.

On February 13th Donald Trump announced he had decided, for what he later called “purposes of fairness”, to employ reciprocal tariffs. When the levies will go into effect, and how they will apply, is uncertain.