Thailand Tackles US Tariffs: Plans for Trade Reform Unveiled

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is on a mission to tackle a hefty 36% tariff on its exports to the United States. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced plans to reform the country’s import duty structure and non-tariff barriers in a bid to mitigate the impact.

 

With a strategy to bring feasible and practical measures to the negotiating table, Minister Pichai is gearing up for talks with the US Trade Representative in Washington.

 

Core to the strategy are five approaches, aiming to balance the trade surplus, currently at 1.65 trillion THB, with the US. Efforts will be made to increase imports, including raw materials for animal feed and potentially meat products, from the United States.

 

Additionally, Thailand aims to cut down on low-tax imported items that face significant trade barriers, thereby easing frustrations from American counterparts.

 

Non-tariff issues also stand tall on Thailand's agenda. Despite its surplus, the 36% tariff rate on Thai goods is significant compared to neighbouring countries.

 

 

 

This prompts Thailand to streamline procedures and improve efficiency by targeting redundant mechanisms. Stricter controls over certificates of origin will be enforced on products slightly modified in Thailand but exported elsewhere.

 

Efforts will not stop at trade, as they extend to the energy sector, where imports of American natural gas are considered a cost-effective alternative to current supplies from the Middle East. Thai firms are encouraged to invest in US gas production and food processing plants to further benefit from these reforms.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasised the precision and speed of these negotiations, although multiple rounds may still be necessary.

 

Despite the economic turmoil on Tuesday, with the SET Index dropping 4.5% and the Thai baht hitting new lows, Thailand’s strategy aims to create a balanced trade partnership with the US over the coming years. The reform measures promise mutual benefits, potentially leading to eased tariffs and a more equitable trade landscape.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post
 

-- 2025-04-09

 

 

[edwinchester]

"Efforts will be made to increase imports, including raw materials for animal feed and potentially meat products..."

 

Wonderful, Thailand can replace it's homegrown beef full of growth hormones and it's chlorinated chicken with US beef full of growth hormones and it's chlorinated chicken.

[John Drake]

This is funny stuff. They can't believe all this gibberish talk is going to reduce their tariffs, can they?

[proton]

Will it be dropping it's outrageous tariffs on foreign wines and cars?

[metisdead]

Posts using derogatory and toxic nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be removed. If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly, this applies to both sides of the political debate. An off topic post trolling about ladyboys and a reply have been removed.

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, proton said:

Will it be dropping it's outrageous tariffs on foreign wines and cars?

 

If they do, I wouldn't be surprised if the Thai retailers keep the prices the same and pocket the difference. 

[sammieuk1]

2 hours ago, proton said:

Will it be dropping it's outrageous tariffs on foreign wines and cars?

There must be a 900% Tariff on a can of Pledge furniture polish 🤔

[norsurin]

What an amazing idea..i dont think that will go in Thailand favour.

Trump is not THAT stupid.

[Peterphuket]

3 hours ago, proton said:

Will it be dropping it's outrageous tariffs on foreign wines and cars?

What are you saying, I didn't hear you...

(x) sarcasm off.

[rough diamond]

22 minutes ago, norsurin said:

Trump is not THAT stupid.

Of course he is and will claim a victory for his idea(s)!

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is on a mission to tackle a hefty 36% tariff on its exports to the United States. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced plans to reform the country’s import duty structure and non-tariff barriers in a bid to mitigate the impact.

I hope the "luxury tax" comes up in conversation... tariffs are one thing but the stealth luxury tax must be dropped.

[JustinT]

29 minutes ago, norsurin said:

What an amazing idea..i dont think that will go in Thailand favour.

Trump is not THAT stupid.

Never underestimate him.

[proton]

45 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

There must be a 900% Tariff on a can of Pledge furniture polish 🤔

 

Detol as well

[Paul Henry]

When someone is at the bottom of the barrel its hard to under estimate him.Trump lies so much he cannot remember what he said 5 minutes ago. Yesterday he suggested open boarders. The the boychild has no idea about politics,diplomacy or a win win relationship.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, edwinchester said:

"Efforts will be made to increase imports, including raw materials for animal feed and potentially meat products..."

 

Wonderful, Thailand can replace it's homegrown beef full of growth hormones and it's chlorinated chicken with US beef full of growth hormones and it's chlorinated chicken.

Superficially, there is currently NO REAL ISSUE with Thailand's import of US beef into Thailand as it's a matter that he majority of imported beef comes from Australia and New Zealand "due to lower prices through free trade agreements with the United States being the fourth largest supplier of beef products to Thailand." (my bold).

https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/thailand-thailands-beef-market

Yes, Thailand imports beef from nearby suppliers where the shipping cost that is included in the value of the import has to be substantially cheaper from Asian-Pacific area nations than the US halfway around the world. Thailand isn't "cheating" the US on trade, it's just practical "kitchen" economics.

Trump's new Day of Liberation tariffs against Thailand apart from violating current US FTA with Thailand (as Trump did with HIS USMCAS FTA) is just a fabrication. How does a nation negotiate trade with Trump who has no economic logic for his newly and unilateral tariff increases? Trump doesn't comply with international agreements, He just gets "OFF" being aggressive and making people/nations bend to his will(y).

[Wrwest]

4 hours ago, proton said:

Will it be dropping it's outrageous tariffs on foreign wines and cars?

As an oenophilist (wino) that was my first hope. 0% import taxes on wine! Hey! It's heart medicine ... both the red wine chemical benefit and putting me at ease with a smile on my face!

[FlorC]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai baht hitting new lows

Compared to when ?

[John Drake]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Trump's new Day of Liberation tariffs against Thailand apart from violating current US FTA with Thailand

 

What bilateral FTA does Thailand have with the US?

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

 

Trump's new Day of Liberation tariffs against Thailand apart from violating current US FTA with Thailand (as Trump did with HIS USMCAS FTA) is just a fabrication. How does a nation negotiate trade with Trump who has no economic logic for his newly and unilateral tariff increases? Trump doesn't comply with international agreements, He just gets "OFF" being aggressive and making people/nations bend to his will(y).

 

There is no FTA between Thailand and USA.

Bush walked away from negotiations when Thaksin was ousted.

[streetlite]

more Campbells soups on the shelves?

[PuiPuiHarry]

All on your knees, you semi-monkeys, and beg the Unendless Clever and Wise Emperor of the USA for better trade conditions...

[Purdey]

Thailand should spread its wings and instead of selling goods to the USA, seek out new and growing markets elsewhere. Africa is the next Asia and selling cheap automobiles there will be better than an unreliable trade partner. 

[vincent13]

6 hours ago, proton said:

Will it be dropping it's outrageous tariffs on foreign wines and cars?

... and vitamins 

[pomchop]

First up they better explain to Trump that Taiwan and Thailand are two different countries as i doubt he can find either one on a world map.

[pomchop]

3 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

When someone is at the bottom of the barrel its hard to under estimate him.Trump lies so much he cannot remember what he said 5 minutes ago. Yesterday he suggested open boarders. The the boychild has no idea about politics,diplomacy or a win win relationship.

you cannot have win win with trump as he never loses....even elections that when they clearly show someone else won after 60 court cases and countless recounts mostly by republicans show he lost he still claims years later that he won...

 

why he even wins all the golf tournaments at his own courses...according to him....sure u do mr trump you are such a model of physical fitness. patience, and the finess needed to play winning golf....and all those stories told by a wide range of people that have actually played with you over decades about how you constantly cheat are all just made up and rigged stories....but mr trump we are all so very tired of winning can you just lose one for the gipper?

[connda]

You mean the "hefty" 36% tariff in response to Thailand's even heftier 72% tariff.

How about Zero - Zero Tariffs.  Nah - gotta stiff the US while blaming it on the US.

[connda]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is on a mission to tackle a hefty 36% tariff on its exports to the United States. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced plans to reform the country’s import duty structure and non-tariff barriers in a bid to mitigate the impact.

 

With a strategy to bring feasible and practical measures to the negotiating table, Minister Pichai is gearing up for talks with the US Trade Representative in Washington.

 

Core to the strategy are five approaches, aiming to balance the trade surplus, currently at 1.65 trillion THB, with the US. Efforts will be made to increase imports, including raw materials for animal feed and potentially meat products, from the United States.

 

Additionally, Thailand aims to cut down on low-tax imported items that face significant trade barriers, thereby easing frustrations from American counterparts.

 

Non-tariff issues also stand tall on Thailand's agenda. Despite its surplus, the 36% tariff rate on Thai goods is significant compared to neighbouring countries.

 

 

 

This prompts Thailand to streamline procedures and improve efficiency by targeting redundant mechanisms. Stricter controls over certificates of origin will be enforced on products slightly modified in Thailand but exported elsewhere.

 

Efforts will not stop at trade, as they extend to the energy sector, where imports of American natural gas are considered a cost-effective alternative to current supplies from the Middle East. Thai firms are encouraged to invest in US gas production and food processing plants to further benefit from these reforms.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasised the precision and speed of these negotiations, although multiple rounds may still be necessary.

 

Despite the economic turmoil on Tuesday, with the SET Index dropping 4.5% and the Thai baht hitting new lows, Thailand’s strategy aims to create a balanced trade partnership with the US over the coming years. The reform measures promise mutual benefits, potentially leading to eased tariffs and a more equitable trade landscape.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post
 

-- 2025-04-09

 

 

The is as leafy as a Kamala Harris Word Salad.

[connda]

1 hour ago, streetlite said:

more Campbells soups on the shelves?

Yeah 7 bucks a can.

[rough diamond]

53 minutes ago, PuiPuiHarry said:

All on your knees, you semi-monkeys, and beg the Unendless Clever and Wise Emperor of the USA for better trade conditions...

When whoever it is is elected in three years time!

[Pouatchee]

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Thailand isn't "cheating" the US on trade, it's just practical "kitchen" economics.

 

might be so, but there still is a 1.6 trillion surplus. something must be getting through the sift. truth is we will never know the truth