Nation Thailand
Thai Defence Ministry rules out Cobra Gold link to US tariff talks
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Thailand’s Defence Ministry has ruled out linking Cobra Gold 2027 to tariff negotiations with the United States, confirming that the multinational military exercise will proceed unchanged under its existing training plan.
Key facts
- Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said at the ministry on Thursday (August 13) that the exercise had not been altered despite questions over whether security cooperation could be connected to Thailand’s
- The United States placed Thailand in a 12.5% Section 301 tariff band on July 24, while the Commerce Ministry is seeking exemptions for a further 78 product lines.
- Surasant said Cobra Gold 2027 would be the 46th iteration of the joint and combined multilateral military exercise, bringing together the Royal Thai Armed Forces, US Indo-Pacific Command and armed forces from partner countries.
- The exercise forms part of the six-year training plan covering 2025-2030 and will be conducted as a Light Year, under the alternating training cycle used for Cobra Gold.
- Cobra Gold 2026 was the 45th iteration and involved approximately 8,000 participants from 30 countries
- Cobra Gold 2027 will involve 31 countries in four participation categories
Summary
Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said at the ministry on Thursday (August 13) that the exercise had not been altered despite questions over whether security cooperation could be connected to Thailand’s efforts to secure better tariff terms from Washington.
“I confirm that the exercise will proceed according to the original training plan, without any change,” Surasant said.