Thailand's finance minister said on Friday that the 19% tariff rate agreed with the United States will help bolster its competitiveness globally, boost investor confidence, and create opportunities for economic growth.

Japan will keep pressing the US to cut tariffs on cars and auto parts to 15% as promised in a trade deal and work to ensure the nation’s automakers remain competitive against their rivals, according to the nation’s chief trade negotiator.

Malaysia’s manufacturing conditions continued to improve in July as the slowdown in orders and production eased, suggesting that demand was stabilising.

Asian shares fell on Friday after the US slapped dozens of trading partners with steep tariffs, while investors anxiously await US jobs data that could make or break the case for a Fed rate cut next month.

Asian currencies fell to multi-month lows on Friday with South Korea's won and Malaysia's ringgit bearing the heaviest losses as investors abandoned riskier regional assets after the US imposed new tariffs on dozens of trading partners.

The White House said Malaysia’s exports to the US will be subject to a 19% tariff, according to its official website on Thursday.