Major Southeast Asian economies are reporting growth for the January-to-March quarter. That's partly because exporters were front-loading shipments to the US to beat new tariffs. But Washington's trade measures are clouding the outlook for the months ahead.



Thailand's GDP expanded by 3.1 percent in real terms from a year earlier. That was better than market expectations.



Exports to the US increased in the lead-up to new American tariffs on steel products and autos. Outbound shipments of rubber products such as car tires as well as electronic parts were strong.



Vietnam's economy grew by 6.9 percent. Again that was due to solid exports to the US.



Indonesia's economy logged 4.8 percent growth and Malaysia's expanded by 4.4 percent.



Thailand and Vietnam have proposed to increase imports of liquefied natural gas and aircrafts from the US in exchange for lower tariffs.



Thailand has cut its economic growth forecast for
this year due to concerns over trade.