The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) advocates for strengthened cooperation between Thailand and the United States within a reciprocal trade framework, emphasizing the importance of the government prioritizing national interests throughout the negotiation process.
Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the TNSC, highlighted that such collaboration should be pursued on a balanced, transparent, and sustainable basis, safeguarding Thailand’s trade interests, industrial competitiveness, and long-term economic security. The TNSC is prepared to work closely with the Commerce Ministry and relevant agencies, offering private sector insights and technical support during both negotiations and implementation.
The council views the framework as a step toward bolstering bilateral economic relations and positioning Thailand more prominently in global supply chains. However, the TNSC has outlined several recommendations to ensure Thailand’s trade and industrial sectors are protected in the long run.
Given Thailand’s trade surplus with the US, the TNSC expressed concern that increased cooperation could expose Thai exporters to heightened scrutiny, US tariffs, or trade remedies. To mitigate this, they suggested including safeguard mechanisms within the framework to prevent unfair penalties or unilateral US actions against Thai exports.
The TNSC also stressed the importance of balancing market access with the stability of domestic industries. While the proposed framework may necessitate significant tariff reductions and the removal of non-tariff barriers, there’s a risk of exposing local industries to intense competitive pressures. To address this, the council recommended Thailand pursue phased liberalization and identify vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, automotive, and consumer goods for transitional protections and support measures.
As Thailand opens its market to more US products, the TNSC underscored the need for fair access for Thai exports. They called for reciprocal tariff arrangements that are genuinely balanced, with commitments from the US to reduce trade barriers against Thai goods. It’s also critical that existing anti-dumping or safeguard measures are not used discriminatorily.
Furthermore, the increasing complexity of global supply chains raises concerns about trade circumvention, especially through third-country routing. The TNSC recommended strengthening rules of origin certification and collaborating closely with US authorities to prevent misuse, while simultaneously protecting legitimate Thai exporters from unnecessary administrative burdens.
Implementation of the framework will necessitate alignment of standards, certifications, and regulatory procedures with US requirements. The council emphasized investing in institutional capacity—improving testing, certification, and inspection—to avert trade disruptions and compliance issues for Thai exporters.
Given the uncertainties in global trade and economic volatility, Thailand must retain policy flexibility to safeguard key domestic sectors and adapt to unforeseen challenges. The TNSC advised that the agreement include clear review clauses, safeguard provisions, and transition periods to allow Thailand to recalibrate commitments if significant economic imbalances arise.