Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead a trade delegation to the United States from January 17th to 22nd, in an attempt to expand the US market for Thai products.

 

During the visit, Phumtham said his delegation will meet with major US importers of Thai rice, who import about US$52 million worth of Thai rice each year, to encourage them to buy more, and will explore potential new rice customers in the US market.

 

The Thai delegation is expected to sign an MoU with its American counterpart on the purchase of Thai rice and canned food, he added.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-15

 

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And he, plus his how many entourage, need to fly there, presumably business class at least, for a 5 day stay, to persuade rice buyers to buy more rice? At what cost? Thai rice represents a tiny fraction of exports to the US. Only $56 million out of a total of $45 billion. Get on board Srettha airlines. They're doing great!

26 minutes ago, bradiston said:

And he, plus his how many entourage, need to fly there, presumably business class at least, for a 5 day stay, to persuade rice buyers to buy more rice? At what cost? Thai rice represents a tiny fraction of exports to the US. Only $56 million out of a total of $45 billion. Get on board Srettha airlines. They're doing great!

I would bet First Class actually!

Another junket paid for by taxing ex-pat pensioners?

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

meet with major US importers of Thai rice, who import about US$52 million worth of Thai rice each year, to encourage them to buy more, and will explore potential new rice customers in the US market.

And what does the US get in return for such import increases?

Foreign trade lies within the oversight of the US government, ie., the US Trade Representative. While the Thai delegation may reach some MOU with various US rice importers to increase rice imports, the US government has oversight responsibility to assure trade consistency with its President's economic policies. The US will likely want a quid pro quo, ie., what additional imports/services from the US will be required? Especially in an election year! Thailand's rice trade delegation cannot make such decisions.