Anutin-Trump trade talks possible this week

PM in New York for UN meetings as negotiators finalise tariff details

⁠Thailand ⁠has proposed ​talks between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ​and US ‌President Donald Trump later this week, as the two countries seek to conclude ​negotiations ⁠on a bilateral trade deal and discuss tariff rates.

Mr Anutin is travelling ‌to New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly meetings. The government has proposed a meeting with ⁠Trump on Thursday of Friday. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun told reporters on Wednesday, and said she expected it to happen.

The Ministry of Commerce aims to conclude trade negotiations before the leaders’ talks, ​leaving ‌tariff rates and any final adjustments for leader-level discussions, she said.

​Thailand ⁠expects to secure tariff-rate trade conditions on par with ⁠those of regional competitors, Suphajee said.

In July, the US imposed a tariff of 12.5% on ⁠imports from Thailand, replacing an earlier rate of 10%.

In imposing the higher rate, Washington cited two issues: structural excess production capacity and alleged failure to prohibit imports of goods produced using forced labour.

However, many Thai products were exempted and exporters believe the overall impact of the increase would be limited.

The United ​States is Thailand’s largest export market, accounting for 24% of the country’s total exports so far ‌this year.