Thailand mulls over zero duties for more US goods to win tariff deal
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Thai officials are optimistic about finalising an agreement before the Aug 1 deadline set by US President Donald Trump.
PHOTO: AFP
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BANGKOK - Thailand is weighing allowing zero-duty market access for more US goods to help persuade the Trump administration to lower a threatened 36 per cent tariff
Thailand, which previously cut tariffs on imports of longan and tilapia from other countries, could lower the levy for the US on those goods to zero, said Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
The government may also amend existing regulations to allow left-hand-drive vehicles from the US and eliminate taxes on goods already included in free trade agreements with other countries, he said.
The US is pushing for “ambitious proposals”, the minister told a trade seminar in Bangkok on July 14, without elaborating. The two sides remain engaged in ongoing dialogue to reach a deal, he said.
Thai officials are optimistic about finalising an agreement before the Aug 1 deadline
Thailand has pledged to eliminate import duties on 90 per cent of US goods and to remove various non-tariff barriers. The government has also offered to increase purchases of US agricultural and energy products in a bid to reduce its trade surplus, which stood at US$46 billion (S$59 billion) in 2024.
The US was Thailand’s largest export destination in 2024, accounting for approximately 18 per cent of total shipments.
Thai exports have increased by about 15 per cent in the first five months of 2025, driven by accelerated orders ahead of the anticipated tariff implementation.
Some of the US demands in trade talks go beyond tariff and non-tariff reductions, and cover geopolitical issues, Mr Pichai also told the trade seminar. Conceding to such demands may spark domestic unrest, he said, adding that any agreement with the US must be mutually beneficial and sustainable for Thailand in the long term.
US demands regarding local content requirements are unlikely to have a major impact as Thailand’s exports are mostly from older industries with high domestic inputs, Mr Pichai said.
The US has threatened higher tariffs on countries suspected of rerouting Chinese goods to avoid the trade war.
Mr Trump recently announced a deal with Vietnam that includes a 20 per cent tariff on exports and a 40 per cent rate on products considered to be trans-shipped.
Thailand is among several countries that have received tariff warning letters from the Trump administration and is now racing to finalise a deal to avoid steep levies.
Failure to secure reduced tariffs from its largest export market could lead to a sharp decline in shipments and shave up to 1 percentage point off the nation’s projected economic growth. BLOOMBERG
