NationThailand-July 29
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has submitted a proposal to the United States seeking tariff exemptions for an additional 78 product lines. The proposed exemptions cover seven product groups, primarily agricultural and processed goods such as rice, cassava, fishery products, and medical rubber gloves. These 78 tariff lines represent key exports with a combined value of US$4.953 billion. This request is part of ongoing negotiations after the US placed Thailand in a 12.5% tariff band, and follows previous discussions where Thailand already secured exemptions for 2,120 product lines. The earlier US reciprocal tariff announced for Thailand was 36%. Team Thailand has been negotiating tariffs continuously with the United States since 2025 and remains in talks on an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, told Nation Group that the US had adjusted its import tariff several times, cutting it from 36% in early April 2025 to 19% in August 2025 and then to 10% in February 2026. The latest adjustment raised the rate to 12.5% in July 2026, alongside the normal most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff. The number of product lines covered by the measure has increased to 2,120 from 471, reflecting a growing US tendency to link tariff policy with trade and labor issues. Compared with competing countries, Thailand’s current 12.5% rate is the same as Vietnam’s and remains competitive, while China faces a higher rate. Malaysia and Indonesia are at 10% after reaching agreements with the US. “Thailand’s goal is not to push for the lowest possible tariff, but to ensure that its rate does not differ too greatly from those of competing countries, so that Thai businesses can remain competitive,” Suphajee said.
Team Thailand is holding to three positions it will not go beyond in the negotiations because they concern safeguarding the interests of farmers and the public, as well as the rights of businesses, which together represent the country’s overall interests. Read more at:
