Thailand Nears US Trade Deal — Tariffs to Stay Under 19%

Thailand and the United States have agreed on the main points of a new trade deal, after talks in Washington, D.C.

Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun recently met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer, during which the US side assured her that Thailand will receive a fair, competitive tariff rate — no more than 19% in total. Teams on both sides are now working out the final details.

● Why it matters for Thailand:

◇The US is Thailand's biggest export market — TH฿2.37 trillion (approximately US$74 billion) in 2025

◇Thailand imports about TH฿700 billion (approximately US$22 billion) from the US, leaving a trade surplus of TH฿1.68 trillion (approximately US$52 billion)

◇Total trade between the two countries tops TH฿3 trillion (approximately US$94 billion)

◇ More than 400,000 Thai jobs depend on this trade.

● How we got here: 

Thailand was first hit with a 36% tariff. Negotiations cut that to 19%. Then in February 2026, a US court struck down the legal basis for those tariffs, so Washington switched to a new 10% baseline for all countries — plus extra investigations that could raise rates for some.

Locking in this deal would shield Thai exporters from further surprises, keep them competitive against regional rivals, and protect jobs in factories, farms, and businesses that sell to America.

The deal covers more than tariffs. It also opens doors to digital trade and removes red tape on both sides.

● Bottom line:

This is about protecting Thailand's largest export market and the livelihoods that depend on it—as global trade rules are rewritten.

Source: PR Thai Government