For most world leaders, tariff letters from US President Donald Trump mean a big headache. But for one Southeast Asian general, the communique is being spun as welcome recognition of the embattled, isolated and reviled junta he leads.

Southeast Asia's biggest economies prepared on Tuesday to step up trade negotiations with Washington after it hit them with steep tariffs, despite a last-ditch flurry of offers to boost imports and slash levies on U.

Economies in Asia were among those hit hardest by tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on "Liberation Day" in April. From traditional US allies like Japan to the Asean bloc spanning South East Asia, many - particularly export driven economies reliant on the US markets - have been scrambling to strike deals before a 1 August deadline.