The “poison pill” provisions add to U.S. plans to impose 40% tariffs on Chinese-made products rerouted via Southeast Asian ports. Trade analysts say future U.S. reciprocal tariff deals with Southeast Asian countries — particularly Thailand and Vietnam — could reveal whether Washington intends to extend the use of poison pill clauses.

Investors in the region will be watching manufacturing activity figures out from China later today, as RatingDog publishes its PMI numbers for October.

U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in South Korea on Wednesday, concluding a week-long Asian tour that will culminate in a closely watched Thursday meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid efforts to de-escalate their trade war.

Eli Lilly expanded its AI drug discovery pact with XtalPi to antibodies. Celltrion in-licensed two innovative autoimmune candidates. China will lift its import ban on Illumina's DNA sequencers. | Eli Lilly expanded its AI drug discovery pact with XtalPi to antibodies.

If a deal with China is reached, millions of Americans in the agriculture, manufacturing and tech sectors would likely feel the effects.

U.S. officials have launched an investigation into whether China fulfilled its commitments under a 2020 trade pact.

President Donald Trump will meet with key leaders over the next several days in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, including a closely watched sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Follow for live updates.

The poison pill clauses come on top of 40 per cent “transshipment” tariffs, which the US is considering applying to Chinese-made goods that are rerouted through south-east Asian ports, and are viewed as driving a further wedge between China and its regional trade partners.