BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed government agencies to step up efforts to address trade-related risk factors, following a recent decision by the United States (US) to impose a 12.5 per cent tariff on Thai goods.
The tariff, imposed under Section 301, affects more than 60 trading partners.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said the prime minister stressed that the agencies should not focus solely on the tariff rate.
Instead, he instructed them to urgently address issues regarded as priorities by the US, particularly forced labour and excess production capacity, which could expose Thailand to additional trade measures in the future.
"The prime minister instructed the Ministry of Labour, together with the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant agencies, to strictly enforce existing laws and regulations," she told reporters at Government House on Monday.
Lalida said the agencies had been tasked with developing product origin certification and traceability systems to ensure Thai products throughout the supply chain are free from forced labour, adding that the systems would also serve as supporting evidence in future trade negotiations with the US and other trading partners.
Lalida also informed that Anutin will undertake a two-day official visit to Indonesia beginning Aug 3, during which Thailand and Indonesia are expected to sign a five-year strategic partnership plan aimed at elevating bilateral ties.
The Cabinet, she said, has approved a draft Thailand-Indonesia Strategic Partnership Plan 2026-2030 covering cooperation in security, the economy, and culture. The document is scheduled to be signed by the foreign ministers of both countries during the visit, she said. -- BERNAMA
