Asia Pacific is increasingly pivotal in global trade resilience, according to the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, a report by DHL and New York University’s Stern School of Business. Released on 17 October 2025, the report highlights how the region is adapting to policy changes under President Trump’s second term, with international trade growing at its fastest rate since 2010, excluding the pandemic rebound.
The report reveals that six of the 10 fastest-growing trade lanes originate from Asia, underscoring the region’s significant role in global trade. Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are among the top 10 markets showing rapid trade value growth, reflecting Asia Pacific’s increasing influence and resilience in supply chain networks.
Intra-Asia trade is also on the rise, with East Asia & Pacific’s intra-regional trade share increasing from 55% to 56%. This shift is evident in the reduced trade distances for countries like Thailand, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR, indicating a pivot towards regional partners.
ASEAN has emerged as a key destination for Chinese exports, offsetting a 15% drop in exports to the US with a 15% increase to ASEAN. Vietnam, Thailand, and India have seen the largest increases in their share of China’s exports.
Prof. Steven A. Altman of NYU Stern notes that despite policy threats, globalisation remains robust, with companies managing risks and opportunities in a connected world. The DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, which analyses over 20 million data points, provides insights into these trends, supporting businesses in navigating global trade dynamics.
