Thailand Hopes Trump's Latest Tariff Rate Is Not Final

By Linda Khoo & Nur Elysa Amirah Suhaimi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Thailand remains hopeful that the latest reciprocal tariff rate of 36 per cent on its exports to the United States is not final.

Thailand’s Department of Information Director-General and Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, said discussions are ongoing.

He said Thailand had submitted a second proposal on July 7, while the the 36 per cent tariff rate was announced on Truth Social on the same day.

“We hope the 36 per cent is not final… We certainly hope that we’ll get a reduction in the tariff.

“As I have said, Thailand is trying to achieve a win-win solution with the United States, with the long-term goal of building a lasting partnership between the US and Thailand,” he told Bernama.

Nikorndej said Thailand is adopting a flexible approach in its negotiations with the US, including plans to boost investment.

“We are being flexible on many fronts. We will invest more in the US. And of course, tariff reduction is on the cards. But the number of products and the number of tariffs to be reduced has to be discussed further,” he said.

US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs of up to 40 per cent on imports from countries including Malaysia (25 per cent), Indonesia (32 per cent), and Cambodia (36 percent). The highest tariff rate of 40 per cent would be imposed on Laos and Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Thailand is calling for stronger cooperation with ASEAN and key partners to combat transnational organised crime along its borders with Myanmar and Cambodia.

Nikorndej said scam centres are a growing threat not only in the region but globally, with victims spanning beyond ASEAN to include Chinese, Indian, and African nationals.

“We no longer see it as just a threat to Thailand or to our economy and people, but as a threat to the sub-region, the broader region, and even people outside the region. Transnational crime means it crosses borders – we can’t work alone,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thailand reiterates the need for Myanmar to move towards an inclusive dialogue that could lead to a sustainable ceasefire.

Nikorndej said the conflict in Myanmar is seen as close to home, with the two countries sharing a 2,400-kilometre border.

“We support Malaysia’s role as the ASEAN Chair and the efforts of the regional grouping as a whole in realising the Five-Point Consensus (5PCs) on Myanmar,” he said.

Thailand reaffirmed its long-standing position that any peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar must be both Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned, he added.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, is attending the 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship themed ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11.

During the meetings, Thailand outlined six key priorities: strengthening ASEAN centrality and unity amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics; enhancing economic and digital cooperation; supporting sustainable development; promoting human security; and reinforcing ASEAN’s role in addressing the situation in Myanmar, particularly through the implementation of the 5PCs.

-- BERNAMA