BANGKOK: Thailand’s tariff negotiations with the United States are down to the final wording, which should be completed within a week, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said on Tuesday (Sept 8).
“The negotiations have gone very well. We have settled all the key issues,” she told reporters at parliament at 9.55am.
Asked when the process would be completed following her talks with the US Trade Representative, Suphajee explained that only details concerning the documents’ wording and language remained.
She expressed confidence that the outcome would be clear this month, saying she saw no obstacles and had no concerns about the remaining work.
Suphajee thanked government agencies and the private sector for their cooperation as Team Thailand, crediting their joint efforts with helping negotiators reach agreement.
The prime minister had set the policy and provided guidance for the talks, she added.
On export prospects, she expected shipments to continue normally if an agreement was finalised.
Thailand’s target tariff rate would follow the understanding reached under the previous government.
The completed details will be submitted to the US trade delegation for transmission to US President Donald Trump.
Once the negotiations are ready to conclude, Suphajee said arrangements would be made for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to speak with Trump and formally close the talks. - The Nation/ANN
