The indirect cost of trump’s tariffs on rural education

Lee, Bih Ni and Connie Shin @ Connie Cassy Ompok and Edmund Fung (2025) The indirect cost of trump’s tariffs on rural education. Social Sciences Research. pp. 1-11.

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Abstract

This study investigates the indirect effects of Trump’s tariff policies on rural education in Sabah, Malaysia, by synthesizing economic, policy, and education-related data. Although the tariffs primarily targeted China, their global ripple effects disrupted supply chains and suppressed demand for Malaysian exports, particularly palm oil and rubber—critical income sources for Sabah. In 2025, Trump’s administration implemented a new round of sweeping tariffs on Asian goods, reigniting trade tensions and amplifying economic uncertainty in export-reliant regions like Sabah. These tariffs further destabilized commodity prices and contributed to investor hesitation, compounding the economic challenges faced by rural communities. Through a synthesis method approach combining primary trade data, quantitative funding metrics, and qualitative insights from rural educators, the study reveals that economic downturns led to stagnated educational budgets and reduced community support for schools. The findings highlight the vulnerability of rural education systems in export-dependent regions to international policy shifts, underscoring the importance of economic resilience and diversified funding for education.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Trump’s tariffs, Rural education, Sabah Malaysia, Indirect economic impact
Subjects:	L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC8-6691 Special aspects of education > LC65-245 Social aspects of education > LC65-67.68 Economic aspects of education
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Education and Sport Studies
Depositing User:	DG MASNIAH AHMAD -
Date Deposited:	31 Oct 2025 16:56
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2025 16:56
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/45569

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