Thailand Urged to Form ‘War Room’ in Response to US Tariffs

[johnnybangkok]

37 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I think he would change his mind in such an event.

 

It would be excellent PR for him. 

 

"See, we only wanted fairness/reciprocity. Thailand has done the right thing by dropping their tariffs on US products and shall therefore be rewarded. Who's next?".

 

Just because he used the trade imbalance in his calculation, doesn't mean he won't remove tariffs until the trade imbalance is zero. 

Perhaps you can tell Vietnam who did exactly this but is still facing 46% tariffs -

 

" Vietnam, which deployed a Trump administration charm offensive by slashing levies on imports and vowing to buy more big-ticket US products to protect its trade-reliant economy, failed to avert one of the largest tariffs announced by the White House.   https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/vietnam-charm-offensive-fails-to-stave-off-46-trump-tariff

[Toby1947]

21 hours ago, Don Giovanni said:

Good!

 

The Thais need to stop being so deluded and realize exactly where they stand on the world stage.

Even the smartest Thais I know when compared to western educated men/women absolutely pale in comparison.

 

The Don.

They pale in comparison to the thickest westerners in my opinion. 🤣

[Patong2021]

1 hour ago, vinny41 said:

What you appear to be saying is that the  high tariffs on imported cars to Thailand to  protect its local car industry are pointless and unnecessary as even with no tariffs no US automotive manufacturer would ever consider exporting their vehicles to Thailand

as for production lines manufacturing both right and left hand drive cars while Jaguar and Aston Martin for years under Ford ownership had no issues manufacturing both right and left hand drive cars as all their plants were UK based

 

To a certain extent.

The UK auto market isn't the best example to use.  The Guardian sums it up nicely,

Most of the UK-made cars exported to the US are premium, such as Volkswagen-owned Bentley, while others are high-end vehicles such as McLaren supercars, selling just over 2,100 annually, some costing upwards of £250,000. Aston Martin at its peak in 2007 it sold 2,058 vehicles into the USA, It has struggled since  then with sales below 1,000. The USA does not manufacture a vehicle that comes close to Aston Martin, McLaren etc.  At these high prices it is viable to manufacture specialty models.  The UK has specifically targeted  foreign markets. It isn't a high volume producer. It is just high priced. Even the  horrible jaguar which has been seeing  reduced sales volumes, only managed to sell 17,000 vehicles at its peak. That's different than what Thailand has done, or even what the USA does.

 

The US model is one of mass production. High volumes, with little variation in fundamentals. It just isn't economically viable to retool  plants that churn out tens of thousands of vehicles to  make a few hundred vehicles  or thousand vehicles . On any given day, a US GM plant is spitting out 1200 vehicles.  15 days of production is the equivalent of all Jaguar sales into the USA. It just doesn't make sense to assumethe costs of retooling to service a marginal market. The big US export market is in the Americas. 

 

The problem that no one is  mentioning is that there isn't a market demand for US manufactured automobiles. As a former GM vehicle owner, you couldn't pay me to take another GM product. I don't care where it is manufactured  either.  Do you honestly believe that if Thailand reduced its tariff to  zero that sales of US vehicles would explode? I dont think they will. US  vehicle brands  have no allure. They are not sexy and they have dismal reputations.

 

THis isn't really about  unfair trade practices, because the USA has been a master at imposing trade barriers. It is about an intentional crashing of the US economy. I have said it before, and I will say it again, the strategy is to defeat stagnation. The USA like many other countries is stuck in a  persistent  crisis of inflation. It  won't go away. Tariffs are conceived by Pete Navarro as a means of shock therapy. He may be right, but sometimes the cure is  more harmful than the disease.

[Don Giovanni]

2 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

They pale in comparison to the thickest westerners in my opinion. 🤣

Agreed.

 

They are nowhere near our level in basically every possible domain.

 

The Don.

[jas007]

1 hour ago, Chongalulu said:

Just to prove your economic understanding tell us what you understand of the complex formula used (which includes trade imbalances) to calculate tariffs charged . Diane Abbott is available to help….

As I understand it, it's a round about way to determine the tariff amount based on trade deficits with each country.  This would allow for the inclusion of extraneous factors that might not otherwise show up, such as currency manipulation.  I guess that makes me sense.  Otherwise, countries would just find some way to circumvent the tariffs.  Currency manipulation is always possible, and this would lessen the benefit of a country going down that route. 

[Burma Bill]

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the urgent creation of a “war room”

 

"'Bandits in Sector USA"

 

 

[Purdey]

 U.S. goods account for approximately 7% of Thailand's total imports. 18% of Thai exports go to the U.S.

The countries are very different in population size, so of course the USA needs more imports than Thailand. 

[BritScot]

23 hours ago, ukrules said:

Reduce the greedy protectionist tariffs and the numbers will come down - do nothing and there's plenty of scope for them to go up and match 100% like for like.

Right now they're getting a big discount - even with the new increased rate - the discount is there for when they think they can negotiate.

 

I read earlier that Vietnam already removed their tariffs in response to this.

So Vietnam is all set, in fact there's a growing list of countries who immediately reduced their tariffs.

Well said! So there are some sain

 

23 hours ago, ukrules said:

Reduce the greedy protectionist tariffs and the numbers will come down - do nothing and there's plenty of scope for them to go up and match 100% like for like.

Right now they're getting a big discount - even with the new increased rate - the discount is there for when they think they can negotiate.

 

I read earlier that Vietnam already removed their tariffs in response to this.

So Vietnam is all set, in fact there's a growing list of countries who immediately reduced their tariffs.

Shock! I've found a sane person on thai visa! Lol. Well said!

[Andycoops]

So much for the much lauded Thai soft power, what they need is to get their naïve heads out of the sand and do some serious thinking about where they are in the global economy.

 

As for suggestions of a war room, such hysterical rhetoric from one of the clueless Muppets.

[Jiggo]

Seems to be focusing on the USA, Thailand and other Asian countries are screwing most other countries on imports, including the UK, and not just motors, imported food clothes etc as well, suppose you can add the small items that have been posted in the mail to that list.

 

[DTL2014]

Wine, electronics and cars - all massively over taxed - these are no longer luxury items - they are essentials and should be tax free

[AustinRacing]

6 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Special exemptions for massage ladies and sex workers.

Thank goodness for that. That would have hurt the most. 

[Jiggo]

On 4/3/2025 at 5:53 PM, blaze master said:

 

No doubt that those officials who join this war room will get a fat payday.

 

Bdbdbd whats up doc.

The last time Thailand had a War Room they surrendered to the Imperial Japanese Army...

[Alexjkr]

The penguins in the Heard and McDonald islands must be quaking in their boots, if they had boots, with the imposition of a 10% tariff. 

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Heard+and+McDonald+Islands+

[ikke1959]

Nothing can stop the grow of the Thai economy not even higher taxes in the US.... But Thailand is doing the same , so if they want to negotiate, maybe Thailand should lower their extreme import taxes first...Don't blame it when others the same as you do...

[Gknrd]

I love this, these tariff's are just shock and aw, Trump is my hero. Anyone that let Fridays investment opportunitys pass them by may get another next week. These tariff's won't last long , nor will the investment opportunity's.. 

This guy is playing the world like a fiddle... hahaha

Also think there will be a big uptick and a good opportunity to sell. The bottom will slowly drop out but this ain't it.

I was waiting on Trump crazy for investment opportunities, I had almost given up. This guy never disappoints.

[Dust]

On 4/3/2025 at 4:41 PM, robz said:

Again:

Drop the abnormal 300% import tax on cars.

 

I drive A LOT. This would definitely increase the number of cars on the road which we don't need. In the US I've owned a Ferrari and a McLaren and while I'd like to be able to drive one  here at a 1/3 of the current price I'd rather have less traffic and less red bull heirs running over people in them.   The import tax has also made some manufactures build here.  

[Dust]

27 minutes ago, Gknrd said:

I love this, these tariff's are just shock and aw, Trump is my hero. Anyone that let Fridays investment opportunitys pass them by may get another next week. These tariff's won't last long , nor will the investment opportunity's.. 

This guy is playing the world like a fiddle... hahaha

Also think there will be a big uptick and a good opportunity to sell. The bottom will slowly drop out but this ain't it.

I was waiting on Trump crazy for investment opportunities, I had almost given up. This guy never disappoints.

Which student were you in either  of these two videos?

 

[Dan747]

17 hours ago, nick supreme said:

Thailand should put a tariff on US tourists. 

"No Russians"

[Gknrd]

5 minutes ago, Dust said:

I drive A LOT. This would definitely increase the number of cars on the road which we don't need. In the US I've owned a Ferrari and a McLaren and while I'd like to be able to drive one  here at a 1/3 of the current price I'd rather have less traffic and less red bull heirs running over people in them.   The import tax has also made some manufactures build here.  

Tariff's like the one's by Trump are to bring the counties to the bargaining table fast. It is happening. You will be driving one of those if you want soon. If they don't then he will negotiate. I love this guy.

[whiteman]

Buy Gold that will save u when the usa $ tanks

[Gknrd]

29 minutes ago, whiteman said:

Buy Gold that will save u when the usa $ tanks

I absolutely love the internet in the modern age. The scare mongering is such a great tool. I am always amazed.  I am a poor guy that looks for opportunities. I love the mongering, it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[Russel]

Thailand also applies duties, we notice this when we go to supermarkets and the prices of food imported from the West

[Dust]

1 hour ago, Gknrd said:

Tariff's like the one's by Trump are to bring the counties to the bargaining table fast. It is happening. You will be driving one of those if you want soon. If they don't then he will negotiate. I love this guy.

The big guys aren't caving. Even Vietnam today says they want Trump to postpone the tariffs and they want to negotiate. There are no wins there yet. 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2995846/vietnam-asks-us-to-postpone-tariffs-and-engage-in-negotiations

> I love this guy.

Clearly.  He doesn't love you.  

[MangoKorat]

17 hours ago, hotsun said:

Isolation of the US is preferable to Trump than the previous administration who were giving away all their money to everyone for nothing

Its pretty clear to most rational people, even those like me who know little about economics, that Trump's policies are not going to Make America Great Again. More like Make America Dive Again - as it did in the 1930's and to a lesser extent in 2007/8.

 

I don't disagree with him (in principle) where countries such as Thailand have been imposing high tariffs on US goods.  However, there is a way of going about things and he's way off the mark.  Whether Trump likes it or not - isolation will be devastating for the US. 

 

Back to the Auto business again - the trade has spent years building plants and sourcing parts in areas where they are either cheaper to produce, enable additional trade through those locations or both.  They can't simply just transfer engine production, for example, to the US overnight.

 

In the short term the imposition of tariffs is likely to make cars more expensive in the US because of the increases in the cost of foreign produced parts. But If a manufacturer does shift production of components to the US, they will also be more expensive in the long term - there is no way that a part currently made in Thailand can be made for the same cost in the US.  I very much doubt that US workers will be prepared to work for 350 baht per day. Car prices will have to increase.

 

So what do the Auto Manufacturers do?  Add to that quandry that the cost of transferring production could be $ billions and Trump will be gone in 3.75 years.  Hopefully, if this madness, and it is madness, continues, the US people will wake up and either somehow get rid of Trump or reign him in before his term expires.

 

His hardline supporters won't listen to anything negative about Trump, no matter what he does, they are as crazy as he is but from what I hear, there are rumblings coming from the conservative side of the US government with several Republicans voting with the Democrats yesterday.

 

We can only hope that those rumblings grow into thunder before the world tips into a wholly Trump created recession. The man lives in Lalaland - how so many people could vote for him is beyond rational explanation.

 

Finally, another reminder Mr. Trump: you stated that you would stop the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. Well its been almost 3 months now, what happened?  Was it the same as getting the Mexicans to pay for your wall - just another fantasy?

 

 

[MartinBangkok]

On 4/3/2025 at 5:27 PM, Patong2021 said:

 

Which ones? Help me out here, what tariffs  does  Thailand impose that really impact imports from the USA?

The total added cost to an american car imported to Thailand (combined tariffs, taxes and fees) is between 187% and 328% (added to the original CIF-price: Vehicle cost, insurance, freight)

https://chatgpt.com/share/67f06f2d-2628-800f-a499-a034c21ec562

[LittleBear57]

Don't usually agree with Trump but l do on this and I wish Europe and the UK  would do the same. For years it's been only one way traffic. You can't no longer have your cake and eat it.

[Patong2021]

4 hours ago, MartinBangkok said:

The total added cost to an american car imported to Thailand (combined tariffs, taxes and fees) is between 187% and 328% (added to the original CIF-price: Vehicle cost, insurance, freight)

https://chatgpt.com/share/67f06f2d-2628-800f-a499-a034c21ec562

 

NO. You are wrong.

Relying on ChatGPT is not  wise. It pulls the information from multiple sites without context or verification.

You have made the same  false claim as Trump. The excise and VAT taxes apply to all automobiles, not only to US manufactured vehicles.

- 7% VAT is a consumer tax.  Using your logic Texas should not allow the 8.25% sales tax applied in some regions.

- The excise tax in Thailand is based upon a vehicle's engine size, not on its country of origin. It is also calculated based upon carbon emissions.

-Road tax is charged on all vehicles 

 

The tax at issue is the import duty rate of 80%. Yes high, but nowhere near the  value you have provided. Vehicles charged the high taxes are the exostics and high value vehicles.

 

There are exceptions such as the less than 6 month in country use, and countries who have a free trade agreement with Thailand.Japan and Chile have agreements. The USA refused to enter into any agreement because it wished to protect its auto industry.

 

 

And has been explained previously, the USA does not  manufacture for small markets. It's US production lines are not set up to make  right hand drive vehciles in small production runs. The US auto plants  do not manufacture the vehicles desired by markets like Thailand. This is not 1860 when the USA can force opium onto  asians because it suits the profit margins of its wealthy robber barons.

 

[GregKeo]

On 4/3/2025 at 4:42 PM, jas007 said:

Why everyone seems to think the tariffs are some sort of a crisis is beyond me.   The tariffs are reciprocal.  If a country doesn't like them, the solution is simple.  Stop putting tariffs on things from the USA. Problem solved.  

 

By this time next month, no one will be talking about tariffs. 

Tariffs aren't reciprocal. Trustworthy US has had a free trade agreement with Australia for the past 20 yrs and over the whole period has enjoyed a trade surplus. Yet here we are.... Trump has hit AU with a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium and 10% on all other imports to the US. Australia and many countries are now looking for alternative trading partners and trading blocs, bypassing US altogether. Good move Drump. 🤪

[MartinBangkok]

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

NO. You are wrong.

Relying on ChatGPT is not  wise. It pulls the information from multiple sites without context or verification.

You have made the same  false claim as Trump. The excise and VAT taxes apply to all automobiles, not only to US manufactured vehicles.

- 7% VAT is a consumer tax.  Using your logic Texas should not allow the 8.25% sales tax applied in some regions.

- The excise tax in Thailand is based upon a vehicle's engine size, not on its country of origin. It is also calculated based upon carbon emissions.

-Road tax is charged on all vehicles 

 

The tax at issue is the import duty rate of 80%. Yes high, but nowhere near the  value you have provided. Vehicles charged the high taxes are the exostics and high value vehicles.

 

There are exceptions such as the less than 6 month in country use, and countries who have a free trade agreement with Thailand.Japan and Chile have agreements. The USA refused to enter into any agreement because it wished to protect its auto industry.

 

 

And has been explained previously, the USA does not  manufacture for small markets. It's US production lines are not set up to make  right hand drive vehciles in small production runs. The US auto plants  do not manufacture the vehicles desired by markets like Thailand. This is not 1860 when the USA can force opium onto  asians because it suits the profit margins of its wealthy robber barons.

 

Jesus, do you have a reading comprehension problem?

I will try a different wording that may be of help.

The cost of an american car imported to Thailand increases by between 187% and 328% compared to the vehicles CIF-value (original cost, insurance, freight) after the Thai governments import duties, excise taxes, interior tax and VAT.

The high total cost in % is due to that the taxes are placed on top of each other: Import duty of 80% on the cars CIF-value, excise tax on the combined value of CIF-cost and import duty, interior tax of 10% on the excise-tax total and to finish it of VAT of 7% on the sum of CIF-value, import duty, excise tax and interior tax.

 

Finally the dealership in Thailand then adds their profit margin, creating the final price I pay as a consumer.

 

Do you get it now?

 

Your talk of road tax, taxes in Texas and free trade agreements with Japan and Chile is totally irrelevant.