Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated on Tuesday that his government intends to pursue a “better deal” in trade negotiations with the United States, following a letter from President Donald Trump threatening a 36 percent tariff on Thai goods.
Despite the significant tariff threat, Phumtham expressed optimism, noting that President Trump had extended the negotiation deadline to August 1. “The most important thing is that we maintain good relations with the US,” Phumtham told reporters. “Once we reassess the situation, I hope we can secure a better deal.”
The threat of a 36 percent tariff places substantial pressure on Thailand’s export-driven economy. This comes as part of a broader move by the Trump administration to impose higher reciprocal tariffs on over a dozen countries, arguing that their trade relationships with the US are “far from Reciprocal.” While the initial July 9 deadline for these tariffs was extended, the August 1 date now looms large for countries that fail to reach new trade agreements with Washington.
Thailand, a long-standing ally of the United States, is now faced with the challenge of negotiating a more favorable outcome to mitigate the potential economic impact of these proposed duties. The acting Prime Minister’s comments underscore Thailand’s commitment to diplomacy and its desire to maintain strong bilateral ties with the US, even amidst escalating trade tensions.
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