BANGKOK, Thailand – The United States will impose a 36% import tariff on all Thai goods starting August 1, 2025, matching the rate set for Cambodia, as part of President Donald Trump’s expanded trade offensive. The measure was confirmed in an official letter sent to Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit and shared on Trump’s Truth Social account.
Trump cited Thailand’s non-reciprocal tariffs and trade barriers as causes of a “significant and unsustainable trade deficit” and warned that any retaliatory actions would be met with an additional 25% tariff. However, he also offered an opportunity for negotiation and tariff exemptions for Thai firms willing to relocate manufacturing operations to the U.S.
So far, 14 nations have been notified of the new tariff ceilings, including both major suppliers like Japan and South Korea and smaller exporters like Thailand, Serbia, and Tunisia. While South Korea’s rate remains unchanged at 25%, Japan saw an increase to 25%, and Laos and Myanmar were hit with the highest rate of 40%.
Cambodia and Thailand face identical 36% rates, while Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South Africa will see 30%. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said several nations are racing to strike trade deals before the August 1 deadline, with only the UK and Vietnam reaching agreements so far.
Trump’s new trade measures, which exclude sector-specific tariffs like those on autos and steel, have rattled global markets and left policymakers scrambling to protect their economies. Trump also warned BRICS leaders of additional tariffs if they pursue anti-American policies.
