Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Thailand awaits the US's silence on a bold proposal to slash import duties on thousands of American goods to zero. Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira revealed that the proposal, made on July 17, aimed to avoid a hefty 36% tariff on Thai exports. Unlike Vietnam and Indonesia, which settled at 20% and 19% tariffs, Thailand’s hopes for acceptance are uncertain.

 

Pichai highlighted the potential impact on domestic businesses, cautioning that granting zero tariffs to the US could lead to demands from other nations. He stressed that any deal must ensure mutual benefits, particularly safeguarding vulnerable sectors like agriculture. Despite attempts, an official response from the US remains elusive.

 

Meanwhile, the European Union is devising stronger counter-strategies against the US amidst dimming prospects for a trade agreement. Following US President Donald Trump’s threat of a 30% tariff starting August 1, EU officials, including Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, have been exploring options to retaliate if needed.

 

EU countries, with Germany leading the charge, are leaning towards "anti-coercion" measures, potentially affecting US access to public tenders or services. The European Commission's plans hinge on a qualified majority to activate such strategies, previously envisioned for pressure from China but now considered for the US.

 

With the looming August 6 deadline, the EU faces critical decisions on activating suspended tariffs and whether to use its “anti-coercion” instrument (ACI). French support for the ACI contrasts with hesitance elsewhere, as President Trump warns of retaliation against any actions taken.

 

The EU’s strategic response may involve limits on US investment, intellectual property rights, and the sale of US goods in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested the ACI as a measure for exceptional circumstances, hinting that action remains on the horizon, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

As tensions heighten, the global trade landscape awaits pivotal shifts with potential impacts spanning agriculture, automotive industries, and more. The US's silence places increasing pressure on Thailand and the EU to secure favourable outcomes amid a volatile trade environment.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-22

 

 

 

What has mum got to do with it, or did AI slip-up and miss "keeping" as in "keeping mum" 😉

I wonder if this will include importing cars, 182% import tax is crazy

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Thailand awaits the US's silence on a bold proposal to slash import duties on thousands of American goods to zero. Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira revealed that the proposal, made on July 17, aimed to avoid a hefty 36% tariff on Thai exports. Unlike Vietnam and Indonesia, which settled at 20% and 19% tariffs, Thailand’s hopes for acceptance are uncertain.

 

Pichai highlighted the potential impact on domestic businesses, cautioning that granting zero tariffs to the US could lead to demands from other nations. He stressed that any deal must ensure mutual benefits, particularly safeguarding vulnerable sectors like agriculture. Despite attempts, an official response from the US remains elusive.

 

Meanwhile, the European Union is devising stronger counter-strategies against the US amidst dimming prospects for a trade agreement. Following US President Donald Trump’s threat of a 30% tariff starting August 1, EU officials, including Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, have been exploring options to retaliate if needed.

 

EU countries, with Germany leading the charge, are leaning towards "anti-coercion" measures, potentially affecting US access to public tenders or services. The European Commission's plans hinge on a qualified majority to activate such strategies, previously envisioned for pressure from China but now considered for the US.

 

With the looming August 6 deadline, the EU faces critical decisions on activating suspended tariffs and whether to use its “anti-coercion” instrument (ACI). French support for the ACI contrasts with hesitance elsewhere, as President Trump warns of retaliation against any actions taken.

 

The EU’s strategic response may involve limits on US investment, intellectual property rights, and the sale of US goods in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested the ACI as a measure for exceptional circumstances, hinting that action remains on the horizon, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

As tensions heighten, the global trade landscape awaits pivotal shifts with potential impacts spanning agriculture, automotive industries, and more. The US's silence places increasing pressure on Thailand and the EU to secure favourable outcomes amid a volatile trade environment.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-22

 

 

 

Where is "MUM" ??? Is it Paetongtarn ??

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand awaits the US's silence on a bold proposal to slash import duties on thousands of American goods to zero. Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira revealed that the proposal, made on July 17, aimed to avoid a hefty 36% tariff on Thai exports. Unlike Vietnam and Indonesia, which settled at 20% and 19% tariffs, Thailand’s hopes for acceptance are uncertain.

Thailand wants to keep it's protectionism stance with tariffs and luxury taxes, while enjoying so called free trade.

Those days are over.

The tax Ty charges is just crazy TIT

26 minutes ago, Coxy said:

I wonder if this will include importing cars, 182% import tax is crazy

and wines, spirits etc 

4 hours ago, Artisi said:

What has mum got to do with it, or did AI slip-up and miss "keeping" as in "keeping mum" 😉

An excellent point to remind thinking individuals of both the complexity of language and the current limitations on tech providing assistance. I suppose why I have supported the idea of a human, familiar with both the language nuances and the culture as the only hope of getting translation interpretations having any hope of accuracy. Even then, there exists some cultural concepts that do not equally translate into a word of a different language/culture.

48 minutes ago, cedel said:

and wines, spirits etc 

We can only hope …

1 hour ago, Coxy said:

I wonder if this will include importing cars, 182% import tax is crazy

 

Not sure, but then again, the U.S. makes cars that have the driver on the wrong side of the car.  I think removing import tax on car parts would be a better plan so that Ford or Chevy can set up plants here to build them.

 

I wouldlove o know what they are going to lower the prices on.

54 minutes ago, cedel said:

1 hour ago, Coxy said:

I wonder if this will include importing cars, 182% import tax is crazy

and wines, spirits etc 

 

Probably ice skates, snowmobiles, snow blowers, snow skis, snowboards, etc.

 

10 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

We can only hope …

We also have to hope that the Greedy Thai Retailers pass on the benefits to the Customers....unlikely in my opinion !

Even if they reduced import tariffs to zero, they will jack up other taxes on imports to compensate.  

There should be a snitch line to the Trump admin,

when we see that Thailand cheats.

Or maybe to the embassy.

Part of it will be to leverege Thailand away from cosying up to China....

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Thailand awaits the US's silence on a bold proposal to slash import duties on thousands of American goods to zero. Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira revealed that the proposal, made on July 17, aimed to avoid a hefty 36% tariff on Thai exports. Unlike Vietnam and Indonesia, which settled at 20% and 19% tariffs, Thailand’s hopes for acceptance are uncertain.

 

Pichai highlighted the potential impact on domestic businesses, cautioning that granting zero tariffs to the US could lead to demands from other nations. He stressed that any deal must ensure mutual benefits, particularly safeguarding vulnerable sectors like agriculture. Despite attempts, an official response from the US remains elusive.

 

Meanwhile, the European Union is devising stronger counter-strategies against the US amidst dimming prospects for a trade agreement. Following US President Donald Trump’s threat of a 30% tariff starting August 1, EU officials, including Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, have been exploring options to retaliate if needed.

 

EU countries, with Germany leading the charge, are leaning towards "anti-coercion" measures, potentially affecting US access to public tenders or services. The European Commission's plans hinge on a qualified majority to activate such strategies, previously envisioned for pressure from China but now considered for the US.

 

With the looming August 6 deadline, the EU faces critical decisions on activating suspended tariffs and whether to use its “anti-coercion” instrument (ACI). French support for the ACI contrasts with hesitance elsewhere, as President Trump warns of retaliation against any actions taken.

 

The EU’s strategic response may involve limits on US investment, intellectual property rights, and the sale of US goods in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested the ACI as a measure for exceptional circumstances, hinting that action remains on the horizon, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

As tensions heighten, the global trade landscape awaits pivotal shifts with potential impacts spanning agriculture, automotive industries, and more. The US's silence places increasing pressure on Thailand and the EU to secure favourable outcomes amid a volatile trade environment.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-22

 

 

 

• Popular Post

Posted 11 hours ago

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

"Thailand awaits the US's silence on a bold proposal to slash import duties on thousands of American goods to zero"  

 

Why not just remove the tariffs, It's not for the US to agree, Thailand can just remove the tariffs and have a better chance of getting a good negotiated deal.

47 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

Ford or Chevy can set up plants here to build them.

Build them with diver on the superior, local, side, I hope! 

1 hour ago, wwest5829 said:

We can only hope …

 

I thought a reduction on import taxes and duty on alcohol was agreed a couple of years ago? If do the importers aren't passing the savings on to the customers, becauswe I have seen no reduction in prices - esprecially wine!

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Where is "MUM" ??? Is it Paetongtarn ??

No way. She's sister!

6 hours ago, Artisi said:

What has mum got to do with it, or did AI slip-up and miss "keeping" as in "keeping mum" 😉

mum as in silent

I wish the whole world would get together and just sanction the US out of existence!  Absolute flogs no matter who leads them.  

The only problem with trying to deal with the tariff situation is dealing with ****ing idiot responsible. He ain’t called Taco for nothing.

3 hours ago, Coxy said:

I wonder if this will include importing cars, 182% import tax is crazy

 

Crazy I know, and It starts at ~300%; a headache affecting entire SE Asia. However, that number typically works itself down eventually to around 40-60% because some car manufacturers will open shops and minimum manufacturing of parts which introduces tariffs reductions, but still a very high number. In Singapore it's even worse! There's no space for manufacturing there for foreign manufacturers, so the percentage is typically higher. China, with its proximity, has built factories and replacement shops all across SE Asia effectively bringing down the tariff rates to practically zero! 

 

Thailand still has time to negotiate, but the closer they get to the deadline, they'll likely cave and accept 0% tariffs for US goods with thai farmers getting squeezed, and that'll be the END for pretty much half of the political party system in Thailand who rely on their votes. If that happens, expect another election with pro-western Move Forward Party to rise up, or a coup d'etat that'll align itself with China. This is IF Thailand caves to 0% US imports. 

You know the Thais have the right idea. You can say TRMP is causing chaos but consier this.

 

He has now opened the eyes of many countries to what is possible.  

 

Do you not think that if Trump gets 0-10% tariffs, the EU and other countries will be looking for the same?

 

The reason that the EU is running scared is that American companies can produce more and cheaper products due to a lack of EU regulations.

 

It is also the reason that they sanction the big tech companies so often.

 

I am sure Aussieson here would agree it would be nice to see Thailand drop the tariffs on Aussie and kiwi alcohol 

2 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Not sure, but then again, the U.S. makes cars that have the driver on the wrong side of the car.  I think removing import tax on car parts would be a better plan so that Ford or Chevy can set up plants here to build them.

Ford Mustangs are exported to Australia RHD from the factory.

4 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Part of it will be to leverege Thailand away from cosying up to China....

I see a military base coming soon 

3 hours ago, TheTightArseTraveller said:

I wish the whole world would get together and just sanction the US out of existence!  Absolute flogs no matter who leads them.  

Then who would buy their crap. Only americans have money

5 hours ago, garzhe said:

• Popular Post

Posted 11 hours ago

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

"Thailand awaits the US's silence on a bold proposal to slash import duties on thousands of American goods to zero"  

 

Why not just remove the tariffs, It's not for the US to agree, Thailand can just remove the tariffs and have a better chance of getting a good negotiated deal.

You think it won't be seen as weakness? Why not?

 

4 hours ago, rwill said:

mum as in silent

I thought they were talking about Melania🤣

1 hour ago, Luuk Chaai said:

I see a military base coming soon 

 

 I don't see a U.S. Base, but a better deal with ships that go into the ports would be reasonable. A lot is provided to ships that dock.  This is again where other countries would benefit from the U.S. securing a better deal, allowing them to negotiate more effectively.