BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun has reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening trade and economic ties with the United States following talks with U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Sean O’Neill on April 24, 2026.
She described the discussions as constructive and expressed confidence in advancing bilateral economic relations, building on over 190 years of partnership.
The Commerce Minister emphasized the government’s priority on negotiating an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States. She affirmed Thailand’s readiness to work closely with the U.S. to achieve timely progress and instill confidence in businesses and markets in both countries.
Regarding U.S. Section 301 investigations, she noted that Thailand has provided comprehensive information on issues including excess capacity and forced labor import restrictions. She highlighted that many Thai exports support U.S. manufacturing supply chains and that Thailand’s labor measures meet international standards.
Thailand has proposed tariff exemptions for products not produced domestically in the United States, particularly key agricultural imports, to reduce costs for American consumers and support mutually beneficial trade.
The Deputy Prime Minister announced plans to visit the United States in early May to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026 with leading Thai business representatives. The visit will focus on expanding Thai investment in strategic sectors, engaging with major U.S. investors in Thailand, and witnessing the signing of business cooperation agreements.
She added that Thailand aims to promote balanced trade by importing essential U.S. agricultural and energy products, reinforcing Thailand’s role as a responsible and reliable economic partner.
In 2025, the United States was Thailand’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling 93.65 billion US dollars. (NNT)
