BANGKOK, Thailand – Jirayu Huangsap, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson, responded to opposition party calls for the formation of a special task force to handle the United States’ steep tariff hikes on Thai imports, stating that the government has already been proactively addressing the issue since before Donald Trump was elected President.
Jirayu emphasized that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has continuously instructed relevant agencies to monitor U.S. trade measures since late last year, even before Trump assumed office. He suggested that the opposition’s recent proposal may stem from a lack of awareness of the government’s ongoing and systematic efforts.
He revealed that the Prime Minister foresaw major changes in the global trade landscape and signed an order three months ago—on January 6, 2025—to establish the U.S. Trade Policy Working Committee. The committee includes key officials such as Phansak Vinyarat, Chief Policy Advisor to the PM; Supawut Saichuea, Policy Advisor to the PM; Wuttikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary of Commerce; Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment; Chantanon Wannakejon, Secretary-General of the Office of Agricultural Economics; Chotima Iamsawatkul, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations; Jaitai Uparanitiketsat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs; Khwannapa Piwnin, Senior Trade Academic; and Ohm Buakhiao, Policy Advisory Team Member to the PM.
Jirayu also referred to the Prime Minister’s statement on April 3, outlining the government’s public-private cooperation framework to systematically address the impacts of the U.S. tariff hikes. The Thai government is ready to engage in discussions with its U.S. counterpart at the earliest opportunity to rebalance trade relations fairly for both sides and has prepared negotiation points accordingly.
Additionally, the committee has worked with the private sector to restructure production, reduce costs, and enhance the long-term competitiveness of Thai industries. It has also been developing measures to mitigate the impact on Thai exporters whose main market is the United States and exploring alternative markets with high potential to reduce dependency on a single market—efforts which began in January.
“The government recognizes the importance of this issue and has implemented measures to support and compensate affected exporters. The Prime Minister has been closely following up on the committee’s work for over four months,” Jirayu stated.
He added that the Prime Minister has called for a committee meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 1:00 PM at the Thai Khu Fah Building in Government House, with all relevant ministers and department heads in attendance. “We affirm that the government is well-prepared to address this trade imbalance fairly and minimize the impact on all related sectors. We appreciate the opposition’s recommendations,” Jirayu concluded. (TNA)
