Thailand Seeks Greater US Support On Trade, Tariff Reduction

BANGKOK, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Thailand has called for greater support from the United States (US) in trade cooperation, particularly on tariff matters, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Sunday.

Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Anutin made the request during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit.

During the discussion, Anutin urged President Trump to consider further reductions in tariff rates imposed on Thai goods.

“Thailand has been cooperating closely with the United States in many areas. Therefore, I (Anutin) have requested the president to consider additional tariff reductions,” Siripong quoted the prime minister as saying in a statement issued on Sunday.

He added that both sides had already held several rounds of discussions on the matter. 

Following the latest meeting, Siripong said Anutin instructed the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant agencies to continue consultations with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).

According to a presidential order issued by the White House on July 31, Thailand, along with four other ASEAN member states – Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia – will be subject to a uniform 19 per cent tariff rate, effective Aug 1.

The new rate replaces the 36 per cent tariff announced in April, aligning Thailand’s tariff treatment more closely with that of other regional economies.

The United States was Thailand’s largest export market for goods last year, accounting for over 18 per cent of the country’s total exports, valued at US$54.96 billion (US$1 = RM4.22).

Thailand’s top exports to the US in 2024 included computers, teleprinters, telephone sets and rubber products, while its main imports from the US comprised crude oil, machinery and parts, and chemicals.

-- BERNAMA