"Supachai" is preparing to fly to China to join the 2026 APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting, highlighting visions for a digital economy and AI strategies, along with bilateral discussions with China and Singapore, aiming to elevate Thailand’s trade and investment on the global stage.
Mrs. Supachai Sutthumphand, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, will attend the 2026 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting held by the People's Republic of China, this year's APEC host, from 22-23 May 2026 in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, under the main theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together."
Mrs. Supachai said that China will host the APEC MRT meeting, a ministerial forum within the APEC framework to drive tangible outcomes on three key points: “Openness” — promoting an open, transparent, and predictable trade and economic system at regional and multilateral levels; “Innovation” — establishing mechanisms for trade and investment cooperation driven by innovation and modern technology; and “Cooperation” — strengthening collaboration among member economies to sustainably address shared economic challenges.
This year's APEC Trade Ministers meeting offers Thailand a crucial opportunity to present its vision and exchange views to advance open, sustainable economic and trade cooperation, ready to adapt to changes in the new global economy. It will also showcase Thailand's commitment to digital economic transformation under the national AI strategy, supporting trustworthy cross-border data flows.
Mrs. Supachai revealed that during the APEC MRT meeting, discussions will focus on promoting environmentally friendly economic and trade practices, developing practical and interoperable AI regulatory frameworks, and enhancing capacities of developing countries and MSMEs to support future economic transitions. Additionally, a luncheon will be held with APEC trade ministers and Chinese business leaders, providing a key chance to exchange views on digital economy and green energy.
Mrs. Supachai also disclosed plans to use the APEC MRT meeting to hold bilateral talks with key economies such as China and Singapore to advance cooperation in economic, trade, and investment areas. She reaffirmed Thailand’s role in supporting open trade systems and economic collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region. Thailand aims to promote trade facilitation, digital transformation, sustainable trade, and supply chain resilience to enhance economic efficiency and investor confidence within the APEC cooperation framework.
APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, comprises 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. In 2025, Thailand’s trade with APEC economies totaled 494.64624 billion US dollars, accounting for 72.24% of Thailand’s total trade. Thai exports to APEC were valued at 237.58196 billion US dollars, while imports from APEC reached 257.06429 billion US dollars.
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