China · Nation Thailand
NESDC warns Thai exports still exposed to fresh US tariff measures
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Thailand’s exports to the United States remain exposed to renewed tariff pressure despite a recent decline in effective US import duties, as Washington is likely to deploy other trade measures, including Section 301 investigations, the National Economic and Social Development Council has warned.
Key facts
- However, Washington later invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a 10% import tariff on goods from all countries for 150 days, from February 24 to July 24, 2026.
- The NESDC said Thailand’s average real effective tariff rate across all product categories fell to 5.3% in March 2026, down from 8.2% in August 2025, when reciprocal tariffs began to take effect.
- Thai exports in this exempted group continued to expand strongly, growing by 64.4% in March 2026.
- The NESDC said Thailand’s manufacturing sector has also shown signs of relatively high excess capacity, reflected in capacity utilisation that has remained below 60% for a prolonged period, even as exports to the US continued to expand
- The NESDC said US trade policy remained uncertain and that the US government could invoke additional legal tools to impose higher import tariffs in the next phase.
- Thailand had previously been subject to a 19% US import tariff under the reciprocal tariff measure.
Summary
The NESDC said US trade policy remained uncertain and that the US government could invoke additional legal tools to impose higher import tariffs in the next phase.
The agency identified Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a key risk for Thailand, amid US scrutiny of several trading partners, including Thailand.