British economist John McLean, chairman of the China UK Business Development Centre, has sounded alarms over recent U.S. tariff policy fluctuations, calling them a destabilizing force in international commerce. Speaking at a London forum on Thursday, McLean emphasized that abrupt trade measures are causing businesses worldwide to freeze critical investment decisions.
"When major economies weaponize trade policies, supply chains seize up and boardrooms panic," McLean stated. "We're seeing delayed factory expansions in Vietnam, paused tech partnerships in South Korea, and shelved infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia."
The remarks come as multinational corporations reassess Asia-focused strategies amid growing protectionist rhetoric. Analysts suggest the uncertainty could particularly impact emerging markets in the Indo-Pacific region that rely on cross-border manufacturing networks.
McLean urged policymakers to prioritize practical economic collaboration, noting: "Shared prosperity requires managing differences through dialogue, not dueling tariffs. The alternative risks fracturing global systems that took decades to build."
His comments resonate with recent World Trade Organization data showing a 15% quarter-over-quarter decline in new international joint ventures, with Asia accounting for nearly 60% of the drop.
