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Thailand Faces Trade Uncertainty as US Suspends Talks

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File photo for reference only

 

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has paused bilateral tariff negotiations with Thailand, raising concerns within the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand. This suspension comes amid expectations that Thailand must fully adhere to the Joint Declaration to resume talks. The decision has significant implications for Thai exporters, who may face competitive disadvantages and increased uncertainty.

 

The suspension follows the USTR's announcement that new negotiations will not proceed until there is compliance from Thailand. According to Thanakorn Kasetsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), this pause is worrying, as it could influence various sectors reliant on the US market, including electronics, automotive, and food. The Thai private sector is now focused on addressing key risks such as losing preferential tariff opportunities and heightened trade uncertainty.

 

Experts warn that stagnated talks might lead to a drop in Thai export competitiveness, especially since the US is a major destination for Thai goods, accounting for about 18% of exports. Without improved tariff conditions, Thai products risk being overshadowed by those from countries like Vietnam and Mexico, which have trade agreements with the US. There is also concern about potential US pressure on trade and market access, possibly demanding greater access for American products.

 

To move forward, resolving geopolitical issues, such as the Thailand–Cambodia border, is crucial. Compliance with the Joint Declaration may unlock negotiations, offering Thailand chances to enhance US market access and collaborate in advanced technology. However, delays could mean Thailand forfeiting its US market share, especially in highly competitive sectors, reported The Nation.

 

Key Takeaways

  • The USTR's decision halts tariff negotiations, impacting Thai exporters.
  • Experts highlight risks such as lost competitiveness and heightened uncertainty.
  • Resolution of geopolitical issues is key to resuming negotiations.

 

Related Stories

Trump Slashes Tariffs on Food to Tackle Rising Costs

Thailand's Rice Industry Faces Decline Amid Global Competition

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-11-17

 

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  • All the countries in the world who have been bootlicking America are realising their mistake. Because there will always be other Trumps to put things back in place. The major players of global economy

  • Anutin said Thailand doesn't need the US anymore, because China is on its side. We'll see, I guess.

  • Thailand has a choice, remain a lackey to China or become one for USA... Trade with USA on a fair playing field or become the next Cambodia

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47 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

negotiations will not proceed until there is compliance 

 

US Foreign Policy 101

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All the countries in the world who have been bootlicking America are realising their mistake. Because there will always be other Trumps to put things back in place. The major players of global economy like Europe, or Asia, must develop new trade ties with other global nations rather the America. China, India, the Middle East, Europe...no shortage of big players for trade deals and production. 

 

But when one sees the stupidity of many European nations or the UK who are imposing absurd sanctions against Russia that are harming their own EU people, what to expect ? 

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I think it shows which country is violating and provoking the peace most....

Cartoonist Stephff has a good lampoon on Anutin's irrational anger/outburst and canceling the ceasefire with Cambodia - and what it has cost Thailand (as reported above) in the withdrawal of trade negotiations by USTR. Anutin is getting well-known for his quick-lipped, irrational outbursts about foreigners. He might think he only (ever) has to play to the home crowd, but in doing so it reveals his naivete on the world stage. His pal Prayuth didn't much care for international relations either, but at least he kept quiet about it and went through the motions.

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Anutin said Thailand doesn't need the US anymore, because China is on its side. We'll see, I guess.

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1 hour ago, Sigmund said:

The major players of global economy like Europe, or Asia, must develop new trade ties with other global nations rather the America. China, India, the Middle East, Europe...no shortage of big players for trade deals and production. 

 

Hah, hah, hah. All those nations are desperate for export destinations. They're not looking to buy more. They want to sell more. Just like Thailand, which has a monster trade deficit with China only balanced with a trade surplus with the US. All those countries want to sell to Thailand too. Not buy. Laughable.

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14 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Anutin said Thailand doesn't need the US anymore, because China is on its side. We'll see, I guess.

The U.S. might well have lost Thailand to China's ambitious (if not aggressive) courting. I guess the Americans figure as long as they stay sweet with Japan, South Korea and the Phils, then they're covered in this region (versus China). I'm not really sure myself what advantage Thailand has geoplitically (to the USA) any longer. Cobra Gold is Vietnam-era yawner, isn't it?

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16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has paused bilateral tariff negotiations with Thailand, raising concerns within the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand. This suspension comes amid expectations that Thailand must fully adhere to the Joint Declaration to resume talks. The decision has significant implications for Thai exporters, who may face competitive disadvantages and increased uncertainty.

Thailand has a choice, remain a lackey to China or become one for USA...

Trade with USA on a fair playing field or become the next Cambodia

14 hours ago, John Drake said:

Anutin said Thailand doesn't need the US anymore, because China is on its side. We'll see, I guess.

Does USA really need Thailand... let them go to China..

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More unpredictability from the GOAT. His spactacularly dumb tariffs have thrown so much uncertainty into the world economy, and the damage is likely so huuuuge, that historians will discuss it 100 years from now. 

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28 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Thailand has a choice, remain a lackey to China or become one for USA...

Trade with USA on a fair playing field or become the next Cambodia

Trading with the US may have been fair at some point in time, but it certainly isn't now when you're dealing with the circus clown negotiator. 

14 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

The U.S. might well have lost Thailand to China's ambitious (if not aggressive) courting. I guess the Americans figure as long as they stay sweet with Japan, South Korea and the Phils, then they're covered in this region (versus China). I'm not really sure myself what advantage Thailand has geoplitically (to the USA) any longer. Cobra Gold is Vietnam-era yawner, isn't it?

 

There is nothing Thailand possesses that the US needs. At least nothing I see, except some cheap obsolescent external hard drives.

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35 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Does USA really need Thailand... let them go to China..

 

Yes. But it needs to be absolutely clear to Thailand that trade and access to American markets is not a "right" but something that comes with political and diplomatic friendship. If Thailand wants new friends, it should realize it will no longer have access to old markets.

Sometimes you need the slap before the handshake.

 

Thailand will never leave the American orbit.

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Thailand has gotten into bed with China, the whole world knows that now.

 

You have made your bed now go and lie in it.

 

Eric.

15 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Cobra Gold is Vietnam-era yawner, isn't it?

The girls in Pattaya still love Cobra Gold.

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17 hours ago, Sigmund said:

All the countries in the world who have been bootlicking America are realising their mistake. Because there will always be other Trumps to put things back in place. The major players of global economy like Europe, or Asia, must develop new trade ties with other global nations rather the America. China, India, the Middle East, Europe...no shortage of big players for trade deals and production. 

 

But when one sees the stupidity of many European nations or the UK who are imposing absurd sanctions against Russia that are harming their own EU people, what to expect ? 

On the contrary, the  sanctions will benefit the EU in the long run.

Russia is an environmentally irresponsible oil producer. Much of the land where oil is drilled is contaminated. The pipelines  have leaked and ruptured contaminating and poisoning hundreds of thousands of hectares.  Wildlife ecosystems have been destroyed.  Why are you ignoring that?

 

Russia is a corrupt state and its financial activities in the EU laundered money  that was used to sabotage and to undermine democratic European nations.

 

South America's oil and gas will reach world markets within the next few years. Canada is increasing its LNG export capacity to Asia and will eventually have a new port in Manitoba that will be exporting oil and gas to  the EU. Russia has tried to block these projects for years and to keep oil prices  high.

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Time to start restricting US visas.  They should also consider removing the US from the visa waiver program.  Start treating them like the banana republic fascist state that they are becoming.

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

 

There is nothing Thailand possesses that the US needs. At least nothing I see, except some cheap obsolescent external hard drives.

 

I get your point, and you are mostly correct, but Thailand does  export some things  the USA needs and wants.; Cheap rubber latex, seafood, especially canned tuna and certain types of industrial equipment and machinery that is not manufactured in the USA because of cost and lack of demand that would support dedicated factories.

1 minute ago, shdmn said:

Time to start restricting US visas.  They should also consider removing the US from the visa waiver program.  Start treating them like the banana republic fascist state that they are becoming.

 

That would penalize Thai people including the Thais who live and work in the USA.

There are an estimated 340,000 people of Thai origin living in the USA. They have family in Thailand, and many travel to and from Thailand. Within that number are tens of thousands of Thais who have visas for the USA.   

 

Making it harder for  US nationals to visit Thailand will only hurt Thailand. Let's say your plan blocks 10,000 or 20,000 US nationals from visiting. How would you replace the lost revenue? 

...Hope It Has Nothing To Do With A Recent Announcement On The Internet That 'A Certain Country Is Taking Over Thailand' (?)...

 

...Would China Stand For That... (?)

29 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

That would penalize Thai people including the Thais who live and work in the USA.

There are an estimated 340,000 people of Thai origin living in the USA. They have family in Thailand, and many travel to and from Thailand. Within that number are tens of thousands of Thais who have visas for the USA.   

 

Making it harder for  US nationals to visit Thailand will only hurt Thailand. Let's say your plan blocks 10,000 or 20,000 US nationals from visiting. How would you replace the lost revenue? 

 

Thailand doesn't need US tourists or trade.  Chinese tourism and trade is far more important.  Thais must apply for a US visa in advance as far as I know. Most visa policies are based on reciprocity, so Thailand should start treating US visitors the same.

If Thailand were sincere about their political relationship with the USA it would have offered up a golden crown by now 🙄

 

 image.png.316edb187dcd97c607ece0c7ea8e97c1.png

2 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

If Thailand were sincere about their political relationship with the USA it would have offered up a golden crown by now 🙄

 

 image.png.316edb187dcd97c607ece0c7ea8e97c1.png

 

Although Trump almost peed his pants when looking at the crown, he only got rewarded with a gold plated copy of it

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has paused bilateral tariff negotiations with Thailand,

Trump's tariffs are under review by the SCOTUS being potentialy unconstitutional as a tax can only be assessed  by US Congress. 

Thailand loses nothing to delay and tariff deal with the US.

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

There is nothing Thailand possesses that the US needs. At least nothing I see, except some cheap obsolescent external hard drives.

 

Isn't it a hub for US spying? Giant embassy, plus CIA blacksites for torturing the people who need it. Those things can be moved elsewhere, but where? 

19 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I think it shows which country is violating and provoking the peace most....

 Yes indeed THAILAND!  

 

More despicable behaviour by the Thai Military, reference today's Khmer Times 18/11/2025.

 

Cambodia has launched an urgent diplomatic and criminal push after a young female migrant worker reported being gang-raped by seven Thai black-uniformed soldiers while returning home—a case officials say is “unacceptable” and demands immediate action from Thailand.

2 hours ago, shdmn said:

 

Thailand doesn't need US tourists or trade.  Chinese tourism and trade is far more important.  Thais must apply for a US visa in advance as far as I know. Most visa policies are based on reciprocity, so Thailand should start treating US visitors the same.

 

On what basis  do you say that Thailand does not need  the US visitors or trade? It is obvious that you have not  considered the   actual  revenues and are instead using this as a means of expressing an anti American opinion.  You can have the opinion, but do not insult peoples' intelligence with your  nonsensical reason.

 

How would you replace the 58.8 billion baht revenue associated with the US visitors?

Thailand welcomed 1.03 million American visitors in 2024, generating 58.8 billion baht in tourism revenue.

https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/10/28/us-tourist-arrivals-to-reach-1-1-million-in-2025-in-thailand/

 

The Thai economy would be seriously damaged if it lost its US market access. Do you not realize that Thailand  exports more to the USA than it imports?  2024 trade data:

Total trade: Approximately $88.4 billion U.S. imports from Thailand:

Thailand had a trade surplus of approximately  $45.6 billion with the USA

 

How do you propose replacing $88.4billion  of revenues? Where else can thailand  get a $46 billion  benefit?

Are you going to support Thais who would be unemployed and starving?

 

 

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