Bangkok: PM reiterates "Team Thailand" to do its best in US tariff negotiations for the benefit of the country and its people. Deputy PM "Pichai" flies in tonight as team leader to prepare for negotiations with the US on July 3, promoting a Win-Win approach that benefits both Thailand and the US. He is confident that the negotiation results will be positive.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Prime Minister has given policies and given encouragement to "Team Thailand" who will travel to negotiate tariffs with the United States tonight, asking them to prioritize the benefits of the country and its people in order to find a balance in international trade during a time when Thailand and the world are facing international economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will lead the delegation of Team Thailand, which consists of representatives from various agencies such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to travel to Washington, D.C., USA tonight (June 30, 2025) to officially negotiate tariff measures between Thailand and the United States.
For important discussions, there will be a meeting with Mr. Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative (USTR) on July 3, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. Thai time, with the goal of reducing the US retaliatory tariff rate against Thailand from 36% to the lowest level. In the past, Thailand has made several proposals and received positive signals from the US. In addition, the Thailand team is scheduled to meet and discuss with 2-3 other US government and private agencies.
The government has been continuously monitoring the negotiations and discussing with the United States through both official and informal channels. The negotiation approach has been designed with cooperation between the government and all sectors for the benefit of the Thai people, entrepreneurs, importers and exporters, the private sector, farmers, and SMEs under the concept of win-win negotiations that considers both the concerns of the United States and Thailand's needs, according to the 5 main pillars that aim to create economic partnerships in industries with mutual potential, such as agriculture, food, and technology. It will also move forward to open markets, reduce tariffs, and reduce trade barriers, and may consider increasing imports of energy and raw material products from the United States that Thailand is short of, for the benefit of Thai entrepreneurs and consumers. In addition, Thailand is also strict on the export of counterfeit products from third countries by strictly enforcing the law, alon g with promoting Thai private sector investment in the United States, with many companies currently expressing their readiness and interest in investing.
'Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra has assigned Team Thailand to create a comprehensive and mutually beneficial negotiation framework and has urged the negotiation to be accelerated to reach a conclusion within an appropriate timeframe, reflecting the government's commitment to protecting Thailand's economic interests, especially the export sector. The Prime Minister also aims for this negotiation to be an important step in opening the market, increasing income, and minimizing the impact on entrepreneurs as much as possible,' said Mr. Jirayu.