TOKYO -- As Southeast Asian countries scramble to find ways to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, each country finds itself with few good options, while a shift away from exporting to the U.S. could play into China's hand.

On Wednesday, Trump announced a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports, with some countries hit with even higher reciprocal duties. Vietnam was slapped with the highest rate among major Southeast Asian economies at 46%, followed by Thailand at 37%, Indonesia at 32% and Malaysia at 24%. The lowest was Singapore with 10%.