Thai Finance Minister Heads to U.S. for Crucial Trade Talks Ahead of Tariff Deadline

Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced on Monday that he will travel to the United States for two days of trade negotiations, aiming to avoid steep tariffs as a key moratorium nears expiration. Speaking on a local news program, Pichai expressed hope that Thailand would not face higher U.S. tariffs than other countries. “I hope that no matter how much, it won’t be more than anyone else’s,” he said.

Thailand is currently at risk of facing U.S. tariffs as high as 36% if a new trade agreement isn’t reached before the moratorium expires on July 9. During the current pause, most nations face a 10% tariff. Thai officials are pushing for negotiations to keep their rates in line with global standards.

Earlier this month, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan indicated optimism that the U.S.-Thailand trade talks could result in a more favorable outcome—potentially reducing the tariff rate to 10%, matching that of other countries under the moratorium.

Thailand has publicly stated its desire to extend the negotiation period beyond July 9 to allow more time to reach a fair deal. The outcome of this week’s talks will be crucial for Thai exporters, who could face a significant increase in costs if no agreement is secured.

As global trade tensions remain high, Thailand is positioning itself to maintain competitiveness and avoid punitive tariffs. The finance minister’s visit underscores the urgency of securing favorable terms and protecting the country’s economic interests ahead of the looming deadline.