Report Thai-US Tariff Deal Hits Snag as Vietnam Charges Forward in Talks

[webfact]

Pictures courtesy of The Nation via The Thaiger

 

Thailand's bid for a breakthrough tariff agreement with the US has stumbled, causing concern among officials and exporters.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira revealed on July 4 that despite extensive discussions in Washington, a definitive deal has not yet been reached.

 

During a visit to South Korea, Pichai described the ongoing negotiations as "constructive but unfinished," promising continued efforts to secure mutual benefits.

 

The Thai delegation, known as "Team Thailand," engaged with US policymakers and investors to foster a beneficial agreement.

 

Meanwhile, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) raised alarms over Thailand's waning competitive edge. FTI Chairperson Kriengkrai Thiennukul highlighted Vietnam's recent deal with the US, dropping its export tariffs to 20%, while Thailand remains at 36%.

 

“This puts Thai exporters at a disadvantage,” Kriengkrai warned, urging for a competitive tariff rate and suggesting exploring new markets if talks falter. He stressed the importance of political stability and protecting local businesses from cheap imports.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from [source] 2025-07-07

 

 

[ikke1959]

maybe if they started earlier with negotiations, there would be a chance, but at the very last moment you can't expect much.... except a free holiday for the negotiator

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“This puts Thai exporters at a disadvantage,” Kriengkrai warned, urging for a competitive tariff rate and suggesting exploring new markets

 

what new markets? the re already buddy buddy with xi and putin.  somalia maybe... congo... sudan?

[DezLez]

49 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

maybe if they started earlier with negotiations,

When did they start?

[bamnutsak]

Thailand will be lucky to get the same terms as Vietnam, sans the Starlink approval.

 

20% export (to the U.S.), 0% import (from the U.S.) Plus the 40% trans-shipment levy (20% + 20%)

 

Probably have to give the first casino/entertainment complex to Eric Trump

[Hardcastle P]

Softly softly things will retun to normal when the red necks who voted for Trump realise they have been duped and inflation really kicks in.and its them that are paying the tarrifs.

 

[wwest5829]

7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

maybe if they started earlier with negotiations, there would be a chance, but at the very last moment you can't expect much.... except a free holiday for the negotiator

Starting earlier with trump when he is on/off … back on/ back off. Instability in markets due to unstable policies. Trial and error. Try … if it works claim victory. If not, blame someone else, repackage and try again. This rather than a studied, reasoned approach to issues needing attention.

[mfd101]

Floating the baht more freely might help ...

[Dexxter]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

exploring new markets

 

This is probably the most sensible idea while the orange moron is in power.

[Digitalbanana]

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

maybe if they started earlier with negotiations, there would be a chance, but at the very last moment you can't expect much.... except a free holiday for the negotiator

Maybe if more time was given the results might have been more realistic, than just one deal (UK) out of the entire world. The July 9 deadline was completely unrealistic for comprehensive trade deals. Trump doesn't even know the names of leaders of some countries he's dealing with.

[soalbundy]

13 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

Maybe if more time was given the results might have been more realistic, than just one deal (UK) out of the entire world. The July 9 deadline was completely unrealistic for comprehensive trade deals. Trump doesn't even know the names of leaders of some countries he's dealing with.

Or the names of most of the countries.

[spidermike007]

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

maybe if they started earlier with negotiations, there would be a chance, but at the very last moment you can't expect much.... except a free holiday for the negotiator

It is very likely that the Trump Administration was not ready, willing or able to negotiate, and that they they were navigating the extreme level of chaos in the White House, and in the brain of Don. 

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira revealed on July 4 that despite extensive discussions in Washington, a definitive deal has not yet been reached.

I wonder why ..... USA not having any more of your BS talk.

[John Drake]

9 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

what new markets? the re already buddy buddy with xi and putin.  somalia maybe... congo... sudan?

 

That's the issue. Every place that could take Thai exports is likely already taking them. The US is Thailand's largest export market by far. I hope the US reorients its trade and beneficial tariffs to the Philippines.

[DezLez]

21 minutes ago, John Drake said:

I hope the US reorients its trade and beneficial tariffs to the Philippines.

Why?

[John Drake]

5 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Why?

 

Because the Philippines have been a better and more trustworthy partner for the US than has Thailand, which is now completely in China's orbit. American foreign investment should move to the Philippines, where the language and culture (not to mention the large number of Filipinos already in the US) fit well with the US.

[John Drake]

16 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Why?

 

And, besides, the Philippines just bought 20 F-16s, while Thailand chose the Gripens. Want to trade with US? Then Thailand should buy things from the US.

[John Drake]

This article says Thailand is promising to buy 80 more Boeing jets. P-R-O-M-I-S-I-N-G. Agree to buy while Trump is president. Extend the order date and cancel when Trump is gone. Any agreement has to be fixed with 50 percent down. https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/with-trump-tariff-clock-ticking-thailand-extends-more-concessions-to-us/chFthoRR5dk

[anchadian]

 

Doesn't look good for Thailand:

 

US President Donald Trump has warned that countries which side with the policies of the Brics alliance that go against US interests will be hit with an extra 10% tariff.

https://www.bbc.com/business

[anchadian]

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

Or the names of most of the countries.

He certainly knows the name of Norfolk Island as I understand he spoke with Mr Chief Penguin only yesterday,

[soalbundy]

2 minutes ago, anchadian said:

He certainly knows the name of Norfolk Island as I understand he spoke with Mr Chief Penguin only yesterday,

The Penguins beat him intellectually no doubt.

[RMK54]

It's interesting, the number of left leaning armchair politicians that post on here regarding US economic strategies. I've found that most, even when I look at myself, have an "opinion" about things that vaguely touch the actual true points of an issue with accuracy that is way, way less than 10% of the true story. One's personal bias tends to drive them to dislike a person or thing not on what they know about them/it, but what they "think" they know. I'd bet that most of the pundits posting here are far, far from in the know about any of this subject matter!

[angryguy]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira

Dont know who he is but hes probably going to choke under the pressure

[Sir Dude]

The US is probably rightly concerned about Thailand's relationship with China and the possiblility of the re-routing/origin washing of Chinese goods through Thailand. Thailand always sits on the fence and everyone knows it... probably the same reason the US won't sell advanced military equipment to Thailand either as it'll just end up in Beijing to be reversed engineered. 

[norsurin]

LAOS 40% .. MYANMAR 40% .. MALAYSIA 25% .. waiting for Thailand now

They also announced that the countries who joined BRICS will get 20% extra.

 

[norsurin]

7 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

The US is probably rightly concerned about Thailand's relationship with China and the possiblility of the re-routing/origin washing of Chinese goods through Thailand. Thailand always sits on the fence and everyone knows it... probably the same reason the US won't sell advanced military equipment to Thailand either as it'll just end up in Beijing to be reversed engineered. 

Right.Cant trust them at all.

[norsurin]

Thailand get 36% ..its official now.So what they gana do now?

Cambodia also get 36%>

[norsurin]

20 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

Thailand will be lucky to get the same terms as Vietnam, sans the Starlink approval.

 

20% export (to the U.S.), 0% import (from the U.S.) Plus the 40% trans-shipment levy (20% + 20%)

 

Probably have to give the first casino/entertainment complex to Eric Trump

Thailand get 36%. Its official now.

[Andycoops]

The trouble with the Thai is that they consider themselves the world's hub that everyone and everything revolves around.

 

The US isn't interested in Thailand from a trade point of view because of the huge deficit in Thailands favour, which the protectionist idiots want to continue with.

[theshu25]

15 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It is very likely that the Trump Administration was not ready, willing or able to negotiate, and that they they were navigating the extreme level of chaos in the White House, and in the brain of Don. 

+What brain,you would get more sense out of a tree then that moron.