Senior Thai government officials are set to travel to the United States this week in a high-stakes bid to secure relief from steep tariffs proposed by the Trump administration, a government spokesperson announced Monday.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira will lead the advance delegation, departing for the U.S. on Thursday to hold preliminary discussions with representatives from the American private sector. He will later be joined by Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan for scheduled meetings with U.S. government officials on Monday, April 21, according to spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub.
The diplomatic mission follows a decision by Washington to impose a 36% tariff on Thai exports as part of a broader protectionist trade strategy under President Donald Trump. Thailand hopes to leverage a 90-day grace period on the levies to negotiate favorable terms and present countermeasures.
With the United States standing as Thailand’s largest export market—accounting for $55 billion in shipments last year—the proposed tariffs pose a significant threat to the Southeast Asian nation’s trade-driven economy. The U.S. government has pegged its trade deficit with Thailand at $45.6 billion, prompting heightened scrutiny of trade imbalances.
Jirayu stated that Thailand’s strategy would emphasize sectors where both nations share mutual interests, including pet food production, market liberalization, and efforts to boost U.S. imports. Thai officials are also aiming to increase transparency and compliance in exports to prevent misuse of Thai shipping channels by third countries attempting to evade U.S. tariffs.
In prior statements, Thai authorities have committed to raising imports from the United States, lowering tariffs on key goods like corn, and expanding bilateral investment opportunities to demonstrate goodwill and strengthen economic ties.
The outcome of next week’s negotiations could prove critical in shaping the future of Thailand-U.S. trade relations amid an increasingly protectionist global trade environment.
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