KUALA LUMPUR – Thailand’s Commerce Minister, Suphajee Suthumpun, said Tuesday that the country’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United States on critical minerals does not create any legal or geopolitical obligation for Thailand.
Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Ms. Supajee stressed the agreement is about knowledge transfer and joint study on the supply chain, not mandatory investment. She noted that Thailand’s legal advisory body (the Council of State) confirmed the MOU is non-binding and can be terminated by either party.
“This is not a binding commitment,” Ms. Suphajee said, adding any future rare earth activity must comply with existing Thai environmental and mining laws.
She further dismissed concerns the deal would force Thailand to choose between Washington and Beijing, stating the MOU has no negative geopolitical effect.
“The fact that we signed with the U.S. does not mean we cannot sign with China,” the Minister said, pointing out that China is Thailand’s top trading partner.
She added that the Chinese Ambassador had already met with her, indicating Beijing was unconcerned and ready to cooperate with Thailand as a user of rare earth elements in commercial applications like semiconductors. (TNA)
