Thailand has proposed a meeting between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and US President Donald Trump, as Bangkok pushes to complete bilateral trade negotiations and settle US tariff rates.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said on Tuesday, September 15, that she hoped the meeting to take place while Anutin is in New York for the UN General Assembly. Anutin later stated that if a meeting is not possible, he hoped to discuss the issues by phone with the president.

Bangkok aims to finish talks before leaders meet

The Commerce Ministry wants trade negotiations concluded before any meeting between the two leaders, Suphajee told reporters.

That would leave tariff rates and any final adjustments to be decided at leader level, she said. Thailand expects to obtain tariff-rate conditions comparable with those offered to regional competitors.

In July, the United States imposed a 12.5 percent tariff on imports from Thailand. The US is Thailand's largest export market, accounting for 24 percent of the country's total exports so far this year.

Effects of tariffs

The proposed talks come at an important point for Thai exporters, with the tariff affecting the competitiveness of goods sold into the US market. A final agreement could determine whether Thai businesses face trade terms similar to those of neighbouring countries competing for American buyers.

The US market is a major source of export income for Thailand, so tariff terms can matter for manufacturers, logistics firms and other businesses tied to overseas sales. Expat business owners involved in Thai-US supply chains, imports or exports will be watching closely for details on tariff rates and any conditions attached to a deal.

No details were provided on the precise terms Thailand is seeking beyond its stated aim of achieving tariff treatment in line with regional competitors.

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17 September 2026

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Allowing China to use Thailand as a transshipment and reassembly location for Chinese parts into a final product should not get Thailand any reduced tariffs. But this is Trump. If Anutin flatters Trump enough he just might get what he wants. There is no sustained strategy or plan with what Trump decides.