Thailand rushes US trade deal ahead of possible Section 301 review

BANGKOK — 12 May 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand is accelerating negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States in a bid to reduce tariff risks ahead of a Section 301 review.

Speaking at 08:50 at Santi Maitree Building, Government House, Ms. Suphajee said following her recent visit to the United States, talks were held with Jamieson Greer and Rick Switzer on 4 May to push forward the pending ART negotiations.

She said Thai officials remain in the United States for technical-level discussions on two issues: asset capacity and forced labour.

Ms. Suphajee said her discussions focused on clarifying Thailand’s position after the country submitted its formal response on 15 April, adding that all issues had been clearly explained and no major obstacles had arisen.

She said both sides reaffirmed their intention to maximise trade benefits for both countries.

Thailand is also seeking to conclude ART negotiations, which have remained unresolved since the previous administration, before any investigation under Section 301 — a US trade law concerning unfair trade practices — proceeds.

The talks also addressed Thailand’s trade surplus with the United States. Ms. Suphajee said Thailand’s surplus increased considerably last year compared with the previous year.

She said Thailand had clarified that at least 30% of the additional surplus came from products manufactured by US companies investing in Thailand, while more than 20% came from Thai companies.

Regarding concerns over transshipment and misuse of trade privileges, Ms. Suphajee said Thailand has documentation and data prepared to clarify all relevant facts.