Bangkok: Minister of Foreign Affairs reveals waiting for negotiation date, confirms Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays an important role in coordinating with US agencies to successfully open negotiations, emphasizes that the government will not be complacent. Mr. Maris Sengiampong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the readiness to deal with the tariff measures of President Donald Trump of the United States, saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has played a role in the negotiation process since the beginning before President Donald Trump announced the tariff measures because such measures have had an impact all over the world. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the government and the Prime Minister give great importance to this matter.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Maris explained that he has assigned Ms. Jaithai Upakarnnitikaset, Acting Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to join the government working group chaired by Mr. Wutthikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, in negotiating with the US government. He also emphasized that the government has prepared for various coping measures, including anticipating the impacts that may occur in advance.
Mr. Maris also revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also has Mr. Suriya Chindawong, Thai Ambassador to Washington, D.C., who is a negotiating team and plays an important role in coordinating and supporting the negotiations between the Thai government and the United States. The Thai Ambassador plays a role in conducting relations in all dimensions with the United States, not only in terms of trade, but also in terms of security and military, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs places great importance on. Thailand and the United States have a good relationship between each other and have talked and persuaded and negotiated with various U.S. agencies that are involved in all dimensions, not only the U.S. Ministry of State, but also the President's advisors, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Defense, the National Security Agency, and the Ministry of Agriculture, etc.
Mr. Maris emphasized that the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in negotiating this issue is not only in Thailand, but also in the United States because the US President's tariff measures affect every country around the world, affecting trade and entrepreneurs on a wide scale. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Thai agencies have an important role and must cooperate to deal with this situation.
As for the case where Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair, had a phone conversation with leaders of four ASEAN countries on April 6, but Thailand was not included in the group, Mr. Maris confirmed that the Malaysian Prime Minister had contacted Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, the following day, and the leaders have been in contact and discussing all along.
As for Thailand's prepared measures, Mr. Maris stated that it is an important stance of the government that will be used in negotiations with the United States. Therefore, it cannot be disclosed yet because each country is affected differently. Therefore, the stance and negotiations are different. However, he emphasized that the Prime Minister attaches importance to this matter and will negotiate for the greatest benefit of the country.
Mr. Maris also emphasized that earlier this year, the Prime Minister had set up a government team to prepare for such measures, and was able to predict the trend in advance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had assigned the Acting Director-General of the American Department to be in the government's working group to closely prepare.
Mr. Maris also believes that Thailand has a long and close relationship with the United States, especially in terms of security and military. There are also many agreements between the two countries, such as the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, which are the foundation of cooperation and relations. Therefore, he is confident that it will be beneficial to the negotiations.