BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has issued a statement addressing Thailand’s stance on the latest U.S. trade policies after President Donald Trump announced a 36% tariff on Thai imports. The Thai government is preparing to negotiate for a fair trade balance and has urged exporters to explore new potential markets to reduce reliance on a single economy.
In her statement, the Prime Minister acknowledged the U.S. government’s need to adjust trade imbalances with various partners through its Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs policy. She noted that President Trump’s trade strategy represents a significant shift from previous administrations and has impacted numerous U.S. trading partners.
During the Liberation Day event on April 3, at 04:00 AM (Thailand time), President Trump announced across-the-board import tariffs of at least 10%, with higher rates imposed on countries the U.S. deems to have unfair trade practices. Thailand has been subjected to a 36% import tariff, effective April 9.
The tariff hike is expected to affect all U.S. trading partners, potentially weakening American consumer purchasing power due to rising costs. Prime Minister Paetongtarn emphasized that, in the long run, Thai exporters must diversify into new, high-potential markets to mitigate risks associated with dependence on a single trade partner. The Thai government has already implemented measures to support businesses affected by the new tariffs.
Thailand has signaled its willingness to engage in negotiations with the U.S. at the earliest opportunity to achieve a fair trade balance while minimizing disruptions for businesses. A special trade policy task force, established on January 6—before President Trump’s official return to office—has been closely monitoring developments and formulating proposals aimed at incentivizing the U.S. to enter trade discussions with Thailand.
The government also sees this as an opportunity to restructure domestic production, reduce costs, and enhance long-term industrial competitiveness. Thailand is positioning itself as a strategic trade and investment partner for the U.S., particularly in sectors such as agriculture and high-tech industries. The Prime Minister highlighted Thailand’s role as a major global producer of hard disk drives, which are crucial for the expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence industries in the U.S.
In closing, Prime Minister Paetongtarn reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to fostering a stable and balanced trade relationship with the U.S. The Thai government hopes President Trump’s administration will consider long-term economic security and cooperation, particularly in strengthening agricultural and technological partnerships for global markets. She urged both nations to engage in constructive dialogue as soon as possible to mitigate the impact of the new tariffs on businesses and agricultural sectors. (TNA)
