(Reuters) -Chinese steelmakers are bypassing tariffs in countries such as Indonesia and Turkey by exporting semi-finished products, a tactic that undermines barriers against a flood of cheap Chinese metal and is raising concern in Beijing over the surge in lower-value exports,

The recent tariff agreement has calmed bilateral tensions between Hanoi and Washington, but new trade tensions could be in store.

HO CHI MINH CITY] Tariff-free or not, American sport utility vehicles (SUVs) face a tough road in Vietnam where nearly half of all car sales go to SUVs, as buyers are likely to still favour leaner, fuel-efficient Japanese and Korean models over the bulky and petrol-guzzling US rides.

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that a trade agreement with Vietnam was nearly complete. Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington that he could release details of the Vietnam trade agreement, but did not think it was necessary.

While countries such as India and Vietnam have attempted to negotiate US tariffs of well below 20%, Trump has said he’s eyeing blanket tariffs of 15% to 20% on most trading partners. This suggests the 20% level is no longer perceived as a penalty but rather as a standard in the negotiations.

President Donald Trump has pledged a 50% tariff against Brazil, a major producer of green coffee beans. That could lead to higher coffee prices.

President Trump announced new tariff rates effective Aug. 1, sending letters to multiple countries. Explore our comprehensive list tracking these changes.

Local businesses are facing a confluence of trade pressures, technological disruption and competition, says ASME. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.