China has intensified its engagement with Southeast Asia in response to the Trump administration's policies, leveraging the region as a strategic production hub for exports. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers such as BYD, Aion, Great Wall Motors, and Neta have set up factories in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia to meet growing demand and navigate trade barriers. This move comes as the US and Europe tighten access to their markets, with ASEAN countries seeing a nearly 11% surge in Chinese exports between January and October 2025, reaching $473 billion.