Kasikorn Securities (KS) wrote that the upcoming official visit to the United States by Ms. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, scheduled for 15-17 July 2026, marks a positive development for Thailand’s export sector, should the trade negotiations deliver on their objective to lower U.S. import tariffs on Thai goods.
During the visit, discussions will center on issues relating to Section 301 and Section 122 of the U.S. Trade Act. Thailand will also promote negotiations for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, aiming to reduce tariffs on Thai products from the current rate of 12.5% back to 10%, thereby achieving parity with regional competitors.
Additionally, the minister plans to address U.S. concerns regarding the use of Thailand as a conduit for Chinese goods and issues of forced labor. Thailand reaffirms its commitment to maintaining existing food safety standards, particularly regarding the use of ractopamine in meat, and is also preparing to propose a list of products for tariff exemptions, such as jasmine rice.
According to Kasikorn, should the talks succeed in reducing the import tariff back to 10%, it would significantly enhance the competitiveness of Thai exporters and serve as a positive catalyst for sectors including electronics, automotive parts, food, and rubber. Companies expected to benefit include KCE Electronics (KCE), Delta Electronics (Thailand) (DELTA), Sri Trang Agro-Industry (STA), and Thai Union Group (TU).
