Bangkok: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed concerns about the potential for increased US tariffs on Thailand, suggesting it is an effort to initiate trade negotiations. He acknowledged the current economic challenges but remained optimistic about handling them.
According to Thai News Agency, Thaksin shared his perspective on the economic advice provided to the current Prime Minister, noting the worsened economic conditions compared to the past. He likened the situation to a house in need of repair, emphasizing the necessity of modern methods and technologies to address the issues effectively.
Thaksin further elaborated on the US tariff strategy, describing it as a formula based on trade surplus calculations between the two countries. He explained that this approach serves as a negotiation tactic, and reported that the Thai government has already initiated contact with US representatives. The Thai economic team is actively pursuing discussions to ensure favorable outcomes.
Thaksin also highlighted the need for Thailand to revisit its own tax and trade barriers, citing the example of high import taxes on American motorcycles like Harley-Davidson. He indicated that while adjustments are necessary, they should not lead to unilateral concessions but rather aim toward balanced trade agreements.