Post-Coup Sanctions and Thailand's Agricultural Trade: Insights from a Comprehensive Study
A new study from Louisiana State University has shed light on the economic implications of non-trade sanctions on international trade, focusing on Thailand's agricultural exports. The research, published in The World Economy, found that non-trade sanctions imposed by the United States on Thailand in 2014 resulted in a 20% decline in the aggregate exports of Thailand's agricultural products. The study used a comprehensive panel dataset of over 27.7 million exporter-importer-product-year observations from 2001 to 2019, providing valuable insights into the intersection of trade and geopolitics.
Key Takeaways:
- The study found that non-trade sanctions imposed by the US on Thailand in 2014 resulted in a 20% decline in the aggregate exports of Thailand's agricultural products.
- The declines were most pronounced in fish and processed vegetables, while rice, Thailand's primary agricultural export, remained unaffected.
- The study used a comprehensive panel dataset of over 27.7 million exporter-importer-product-year observations from 2001 to 2019.
- The research concluded that the US sanctions had a significant impact on Thailand's agricultural trade, while the EU sanctions had no impact.
- The study's findings highlight the complexities of trade and geopolitics, and the need for further research in this area.
- The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and businesses operating in the agricultural trade sector.
- The study's results suggest that non-trade sanctions can have significant economic implications for countries, particularly those with significant agricultural exports.
Statistics:
- 20% decline in the aggregate exports of Thailand's agricultural products due to US sanctions.
- 27.7 million exporter-importer-product-year observations used in the study's comprehensive panel dataset.
- 2001-2019 time period covered by the study's dataset.
- 20% decline most pronounced in fish and processed vegetables.
- Rice, Thailand's primary agricultural export, remained unaffected by the sanctions.
- US sanctions had a significant impact on Thailand's agricultural trade, while EU sanctions had no impact.
Sources:
- Post-coup Sanctions and Thailand's Agricultural Trade. The World Economy, 2025.
- NewsRx. Findings from Louisiana State University Update Understanding of Agriculture (Post-coup Sanctions and Thailand's Agricultural Trade). Agriculture Week. July 31, 2025; p 415.