Thailand to send delegation to US for trade talks in H2 April

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira will lead a delegation to the US, to negotiate for potential relief from the 36% “reciprocal” tariffs imposed by Washington.

The Thai government intends to propose reductions in its trade surplus with the US – amounting to $46 billion in 2024 – by opening the country’s market and reducing tariffs on US goods, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said in a statement on Monday.

Pichai who is also Thailand’s finance minister will leave for the US on 17 April to speak to executives of various industries, before the formal trade talks with the US government on 21 April.

Thailand plans to increase imports of natural gas products like ethane, as well as food products such as cheese and walnuts, from the US.

It will also propose implementing measures to screen goods from third countries imported through Thailand to avoid taxes, emphasizing the country’s desire in “building confidence as a trading partner with good governance”, Jirayu added.

Following the US’ impositions of 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, there are fears that China will export goods through third countries with comparatively lower tariffs like Thailand to circumvent US levies.

Thailand also plans to encourage the Thai private sector to invest in the US processing industry, using local raw materials to produce export goods from production bases in America to the world market.

Southeast Asian countries are among the hardest hit by US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, which were suspended for 90 days on 10 April, giving room for them to negotiate deals.

Visit the ICIS Topic Page: US tariffs, policy – impact on chemicals and energy.