Thailand Faces Trade Challenges Amid Trump's Tariff Strategy

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In the face of rising trade tensions spurred by former President Donald Trump's tariff policies, Thailand has been sparked into action to safeguard its economic interests. With the United States poised to introduce new tariffs, Thailand, boasting a significant trade surplus with the US, finds itself in a precarious position requiring prompt strategic manoeuvring.

 

The key concern centres on Thailand's trade surplus with the US, which stood impressively at approximately THB 1 trillion in 2023, with forecasts suggesting this could rise to THB 1.6 trillion in 2024. The nation has jumped to the 11th position in countries with the highest US trade surplus—a crucial factor making Thai exports vulnerable to heightened tariffs under the Trump doctrine.

 

Leading voices in Thailand's economic landscape, including Sanan Angubolkul of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, advocate for the government to assemble a dedicated task force. This team would focus explicitly on navigating and mitigating the impacts of impending tariff hikes. Such tariffs, Sanan argues, could pressure key sectors such as electronics, electrical appliances, automotive, and agriculture.

 

Additional repercussions anticipated from Trump's trade agenda include potential surplus dumping by other exporting countries onto ASEAN markets. This would intensify competitive pressures on Thai goods both domestically and regionally. Sanan stresses the importance of implementing stringent controls to protect against such unfair trade practices.

Pote Aramwattananont, serving as the first vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, proposes a dual strategy. On one front, Thailand should ramp up imports of American agricultural, food, and energy products—an approach that could dampen the negative impacts of US trade policies. On the other, increasing emphasis and investment in the service sectors like banking, insurance, and digital services could offset some of the trade imbalances with the US.

 

In reflecting on the broader economic dynamics, Pote suggests viewing Trump's policies as a realignment opportunity. Thailand, he notes, should position itself strategically to leverage the evolving global trade landscape for growth and advantage.

 

However, economic projections indicate that these policies could temper Thailand's GDP, potentially contracting it by 0.35%-0.4%, with an adjusted forecast of 2.6%-2.8% growth this year—down from an anticipated 3.5%.

 

In essence, while challenges loom, the Thai government is called upon to solidify its economic stance and seek out opportunities within adversity. Through tactical import adjustments, service sector development, and a proactive response to trade shifts, Thailand aims to navigate and ultimately thrive amidst these international headwinds, reported Thai PBS.

 

-- 2025-03-07

 

 

[hotsun]

Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face

[ozz1]

Yes buy more american products and put a huge tax on imports great idea that will not help with the trade surplus  too late Thailand  unfortunately

[ikke1959]

Why blame Trump? Thailand is doing the same with all products from other countries.. as example the extreme tax on wines and imported alcohol and other products. Now even Vat on parcels by post... So Thailand is complaining about things they do themselves... 

[Purdey]

Do the high costs of business in America make their products more expensive? 

I would not buy Uncle Ben's long grain rice here.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand, boasting a significant trade surplus with the US, finds itself in a precarious position requiring prompt strategic manoeuvring.

More BS promises or actually lowering tariffs and dropping the luxury tax...

car import prices are a joke

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Sanan stresses the importance of implementing stringent controls to protect against such unfair trade practices.

How much does Thailand charge for importing cars?

[Srikcir]

11 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

How much does Thailand charge for importing cars?

Under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), China can export electric vehicles (EVs) to Thailand duty-free

[newbee2022]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In the face of rising trade tensions spurred by former President Donald Trump's tariff policies, Thailand has been sparked into action to safeguard its economic interests. With the United States poised to introduce new tariffs, Thailand, boasting a significant trade surplus with the US, finds itself in a precarious position requiring prompt strategic manoeuvring.

 

The key concern centres on Thailand's trade surplus with the US, which stood impressively at approximately THB 1 trillion in 2023, with forecasts suggesting this could rise to THB 1.6 trillion in 2024. The nation has jumped to the 11th position in countries with the highest US trade surplus—a crucial factor making Thai exports vulnerable to heightened tariffs under the Trump doctrine.

 

Leading voices in Thailand's economic landscape, including Sanan Angubolkul of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, advocate for the government to assemble a dedicated task force. This team would focus explicitly on navigating and mitigating the impacts of impending tariff hikes. Such tariffs, Sanan argues, could pressure key sectors such as electronics, electrical appliances, automotive, and agriculture.

 

Additional repercussions anticipated from Trump's trade agenda include potential surplus dumping by other exporting countries onto ASEAN markets. This would intensify competitive pressures on Thai goods both domestically and regionally. Sanan stresses the importance of implementing stringent controls to protect against such unfair trade practices.

 

Pote Aramwattananont, serving as the first vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, proposes a dual strategy. On one front, Thailand should ramp up imports of American agricultural, food, and energy products—an approach that could dampen the negative impacts of US trade policies. On the other, increasing emphasis and investment in the service sectors like banking, insurance, and digital services could offset some of the trade imbalances with the US.

 

In reflecting on the broader economic dynamics, Pote suggests viewing Trump's policies as a realignment opportunity. Thailand, he notes, should position itself strategically to leverage the evolving global trade landscape for growth and advantage.

 

However, economic projections indicate that these policies could temper Thailand's GDP, potentially contracting it by 0.35%-0.4%, with an adjusted forecast of 2.6%-2.8% growth this year—down from an anticipated 3.5%.

 

In essence, while challenges loom, the Thai government is called upon to solidify its economic stance and seek out opportunities within adversity. Through tactical import adjustments, service sector development, and a proactive response to trade shifts, Thailand aims to navigate and ultimately thrive amidst these international headwinds, reported Thai PBS.

 

-- 2025-03-07

 

 

Could be a possible dip or dive for Thai economy.

Solution: more tourists🤢

[thailand49]

14 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why blame Trump? Thailand is doing the same with all products from other countries.. as example the extreme tax on wines and imported alcohol and other products. Now even Vat on parcels by post... So Thailand is complaining about things they do themselves... 

Exactly, when Trump was in office 2016, Thailand was targeted because of its trade surplus well below the trillion now red flagged as they called they did nothing but talk. I have many family in China with factories in conversation since the real large fight is with China many factories exporting to U.S. tariff targeted made deals with Thai factories thus shipping China tariff products to Thailand repackage as produced then shipped to U.S. to get around the tariffs.

 

Whether sounded by Trump or not these and all tariff conflicts with countries is to meet at a reasonable point!  In spite of Trump big mouth and stuff stance show boating stance this is all he wants for America.

 

All one has to do is go into any market selling imported goods know fairless isn't even close on many products.

 

 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), China can export electric vehicles (EVs) to Thailand duty-free

The post is about USA-Thailand... nothing to do with China or ASEAN

[JulesMad]

Just boycott ALL american products as much as possible, in Thailand and everywhere.

[black tabby12345]

D.Trump, doing a remarkable job as the Rus agent.

Creating ever growing cracks and tensions among US allies and US-Friendly nations.

 

 

[digger70]

9 hours ago, hotchilli said:

How much does Thailand charge for importing cars?

mporting cars into Thailand can be very expensive, with taxes and duties often reaching over 200% of the vehicle's value. This includes import duty, excise tax, interior tax, and VAT. 

[LukKrueng]

On 3/7/2025 at 11:27 AM, webfact said:

former President Donald Trump

No disrespect to the mods, but is this an old article from before November 24? I think his title changed to President elect in November 24, and changed again to President in January 25

[johng]

I have pointed out this "former president Trump" 

"AI  glitch" on numerous threads

still happening, when will they update the data set ?

[johng]

22 hours ago, Purdey said:

I would not buy Uncle Ben's long grain rice here.

Well I wouldn't ship coal to Newcastle... errm...  maybe better 

I wouldn't ship sand to the Sahara desert either.

 

Thailand does still practise unfair taxing on many goods,  as mentioned already Motor vehicles  not from China  and Alcoholic beverages from everywhere even though some sort of deal on that has been announced a couple of times but nothing ever changes  the imported alcohol  remains expensive I'm sure there are many other goods unfairly taxed  to try and "protect" Thailand from competition.

[Kenneth White]

Since COVID, my wife and I have noticed that the cost of groceries has increased by at least 1000 bhat each month. I fear we will see another increase due to the tariffs, if so, I feel sorry for the poor Thai people.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, digger70 said:

mporting cars into Thailand can be very expensive, with taxes and duties often reaching over 200% of the vehicle's value. This includes import duty, excise tax, interior tax, and VAT. 

I do hope the ambassador has passed that information on to Trump...

also luxury taxes on food products etc.