Thailand set to break record China trade deficit

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewing the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Nov 14, 2025. - AP

BANGKOK: Thailand’s trade expanded in the first 11 months of 2025, but the country is on track to post a record trade deficit with China after the gap widened beyond two trillion baht or about US$63.3bil, driven largely by imports of machinery and electrical equipment.

Thailand’s exports in January to November 2025 totalled US$310.70bil , up 12.6% year-on-year, while imports rose 12.4% to US$315.66bil, leaving an overall trade deficit of US$4.95bil.