Bangkok: The Ministry of Commerce has reiterated that tariff negotiations with the United States are progressing, yet the deal remains incomplete pending the conclusion of the U.S. investigation under Section 301. The discussions, which focus on a reciprocal trade agreement between Thailand and the United States, have reached a consensus on several key aspects, but final decisions on tariff rates are still on hold.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Kornnit Nonchui, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, addressed reports suggesting a "deal closed" status, warning that such conclusions may lead to misunderstandings. He emphasized that while significant strides have been made in the Thailand-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), the negotiation process is not fully complete.
The negotiations involved discussions between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthamphan, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Rick Switzer on September 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Both parties have agreed on key aspects of the agreement and instructed their technical teams to accelerate the finalization of outstanding issues.
Mr. Kornchanit reiterated that finalizing the essential terms does not equate to a closed deal or a final decision on tariff rates. The pending U.S. investigation under Section 301 concerning structural overcapacity is a crucial factor that needs resolution before finalizing tariff rates affecting Thailand.
Should an agreement be reached, Thailand could benefit from competitive import tariffs from the United States. The Thai government is committed to expediting negotiations to finalize remaining details and aims for tariff rates that are fair and competitive with other regional countries.