United States and Thailand Discuss Trade Agenda Under Trade and Investment Framework AgreementUSTR

BANGKOK, THAILAND – The United States and Thailand met today under the U.S.-Thailand Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to discuss ways to expand trade and address outstanding issues between them.  The United States outlined the Trump administration’s trade agenda and the priority it places on enhancing ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This agenda includes bilateral trade initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, job creation, and competitiveness, as well as addressing unfair trade practices.  ‎

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of their longstanding alliance and of working together to address barriers and expand market access between them. The United States and Thailand discussed barriers to U.S. exports to Thailand related to customs, agriculture, intellectual property, labor, financial services, and other issues.  The interagency teams included, for the United States, officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture, and Commerce; and for Thailand, officials from the Ministries of Commerce, Health, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Labor, Natural Resources and Environment, Digital Economy and Society, as well as Thai Customs, and the Bank of Thailand.

Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Barbara Weisel also met with Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn and Industry Minister Dr. Uttama Savanayana to discuss the U.S.-Thailand bilateral trade agenda.

Background

The United States and Thailand have strong trade ties, which extends back to the 1833 U.S.-Thailand Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations. Thailand is the United States’ 21st largest goods trading partner, with two-way goods trade between them totaling $40 billion in 2016.