FTI urges Thai government to finalize US ART trade deal

Khaosod•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Federation of Thai Industries urges the government to conclude the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States.

•Pimjai Lee-issaranukul of the Federation of Thai Industries wants the government to accelerate the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) negotiations with the United States.
•A Thai team is scheduled to negotiate with the United States from August 27 to September 1, 2026.
•The United States was Thailand's top export market in the first six months of 2026, with exports valued at 47,144.6 million USD.

•Pimjai Lee-issaranukul suggests the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) should focus on creating trade certainty and reducing barriers rather than just reducing tax rates.
•A Thai team will travel to negotiate with the United States between August 27 and September 1, 2026.
•Pimjai Lee-issaranukul notes that at least 30% of Thailand's trade surplus with the United States comes from US companies using Thailand as a production base.
•Thailand has expressed readiness to increase imports of US goods in sectors where demand is high and local production is insufficient, such as energy, aircraft, and high-tech machinery.
•Pimjai Lee-issaranukul states that increasing imports must be based on actual demand to avoid excessive impacts on Thai farmers, SMEs, and domestic producers.
•In the first six months of 2026, exports to the United States increased by 41.1% compared to the previous year, accounting for 24.0% of Thailand's total exports.
•Thai exports to the United States include computers, hard disk drives, electronic parts, electrical transformers, rubber products, and processed agricultural goods.

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Federation of Thai Industries(ส.อ.ท.)ℹ️

An organization whose president is urging the government to conclude trade negotiations with the United States.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The government body expected to drive negotiations toward a balanced agreement.

Pimjai Lee-issaranukul(พิมพ์ใจ ลี้อิสสระนุกูล)

President of the Federation of Thai Industries.

United States(สหรัฐฯ)ℹ️

Thailand's number one export market in the first six months of 2026.

Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

A reciprocal trade agreement being negotiated between Thailand and the United States.