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Tariffs

Thailand and US Initiate Technical-Level Discussions on Tariff Regime

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Thailand and the United States are set to initiate technical-level discussions regarding the US tariff regime, marking a significant step forward in bilateral trade relations. Both countries have been actively preparing for these discussions, with the Thai Cabinet approving a negotiation framework and the US expressing its willingness to engage in talks. The Thai government has been proactive in managing US tariffs, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra establishing a US trade policy working group and Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan leading a delegation to Washington DC to engage with high-level US officials.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Thai Cabinet approved a negotiation framework on June 10 to prepare for technical-level discussions with the US on the US tariff regime.
  • The US expressed its willingness to engage in talks on June 7, a move welcomed by the Thai government, which had been previously criticized for its slow response to the tariff threat.
  • Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra established a US trade policy working group on January 6, chaired by Commerce Permanent Secretary Vuttikrai Leewiraphan.
  • Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan led a delegation of Commerce Ministry officials to Washington DC from February 4 to 8 to engage with high-level US officials, including members of Congress, ministers, and private sector representatives.
  • Pichai requested formal meetings with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in March.
  • Thailand's proposals to enhance the Thailand-US economic partnership, signed by Pichai, were delivered to the USTR on May 8 and received a positive response from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
  • Pichai met with Greer twice in recent months, first at the 2025 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Joint Statement in Jeju, South Korea, in May, and then at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting 2025 in Paris this month.
  • Greer expressed confidence that a formal meeting between the two sides would be arranged soon, culminating in the recent confirmation of the US's desire to negotiate.

Statistics:

  • Thailand has approved a negotiation framework on June 10 to prepare for technical-level discussions with the US.
  • The US has expressed its willingness to engage in talks on June 7.
  • Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra established a US trade policy working group on January 6, six months before the US expressed its willingness to engage in talks.
  • Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan led a delegation of Commerce Ministry officials to Washington DC from February 4 to 8.
  • Thailand's proposals to enhance the Thailand-US economic partnership were delivered to the USTR on May 8.

Sources:

  • "Thai Cabinet approves negotiation framework for US tariff talks", Bangkok Post
  • "US willing to engage in talks on tariffs with Thailand", Bangkok Post
  • "Thailand sets up US trade policy working group", Commerce Ministry
  • "Pichai leads Thai delegation to Washington DC", Commerce Ministry
  • "Pichai meets with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer", Commerce Ministry
  • "Thailand's proposals to US get positive response", Commerce Ministry
  • "Pichai meets with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent", Commerce Ministry

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