BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira revealed that Thailand submitted an updated proposal to the United States last night regarding ongoing tariff negotiations. The move aims to seek progress in the discussions and potentially extend the current deadline to August 1.
According to Pichai, the proposal is based on the original framework previously submitted but has been refined following direct talks with U.S. officials, who indicated specific areas of interest. Thailand adjusted its offer accordingly, particularly in relation to tariff rates and product categories, while other non-tariff issues remain under review by U.S. authorities.
Pichai emphasized that the negotiation process is ongoing and flexible, noting that the current proposal can still be amended even after an initial decision is made by the U.S. “Even if they make an announcement, it doesn’t mean it’s final. We can continue to improve the proposal,” he said.
When asked whether Thailand hopes to avoid a tariff rate exceeding 18%, Pichai said only a few countries have concluded negotiations so far. He noted that a potential extension to August 1 could offer more time for remaining countries to finalize agreements.
Regarding whether Thailand would accept a zero-percent import tariff similar to Vietnam’s agreement, Pichai stressed that talks are being conducted in good faith, balancing U.S. requests with the need to protect Thai producers. He also confirmed that discussions on rule-of-origin and proxy product issues are ongoing and that some matters involve joint efforts with U.S. counterparts.
Asked whether Thailand is among the countries that will receive a formal notice of tariff increases or be allowed to continue negotiations, Pichai said clarity is expected within the next two to three days. (TNA)
