The government is preparing for U.S. tax negotiations at the end of August, with Supachai leading the team highlighting nearly $20 billion in Thai private investment, reflecting shared benefits and aiming to reduce remaining tariffs on goods.
On 15 August 2026, Ms. Lalida Perwivatthana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced the government is preparing for technical tax negotiations with the United States scheduled for late August 2026. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai will present trade, investment, and supply chain connection data between Thailand and the U.S. to safeguard Thai exporters' interests and the country's competitiveness as much as possible.
The Deputy Spokesperson said that according to Commerce Ministry data, about 72 percent of Thai products under Sections 301 and 232 have already been exempted from tariffs, while the remaining 28 percent require data preparation for negotiation. The government will strive to secure the lowest tariff rates or additional exemptions for these products. These percentages refer to product categories under these measures, not the total export value from Thailand to the U.S.
Ms. Lalida added that a key point for negotiation is the role of Thai private sector in the U.S. economy. Currently, Thai private investment in the U.S. totals nearly $20 billion, with plans to invest more than $5 billion. This reflects that economic relations between the two countries go beyond trade, encompassing investment, production, and interconnected economic activities.
Meanwhile, Commerce Ministry data indicates at least 30 percent of Thailand’s trade surplus with the U.S. derives from exports by U.S. companies that have established production bases in Thailand. This is important evidence showing the close linkage of supply chains between Thailand and the U.S. Therefore, trade relations should not be viewed solely through the lens of trade balance figures.
"The government will present facts on trade, investment, employment, and supply chains during the negotiations to demonstrate that the economic relationship between Thailand and the U.S. benefits both sides. Reducing tariff barriers will not only aid Thai exporters but also support U.S. companies, investments, and supply chains connected to Thailand," she said.
Ms. Lalida emphasized that the nearly $20 billion in Thai private investment is used to reflect mutual economic benefits between the two countries and is not a condition for exchanging tariff exemptions. Likewise, the plan for an additional $5 billion investment represents future private sector plans, not new government funds or already realized investments.
The Deputy Spokesperson also addressed rumors about linking other cooperation areas to tax talks, stating that this negotiation round strictly focuses on trade and investment benefits. There is no military cooperation condition being exchanged for tariff benefits as rumored.
"The government will do its utmost to secure the best possible tariff conditions for Thai products and minimize impact on Thai businesses. However, it should be noted that the process is still in data preparation and negotiation stages. The final outcome depends on U.S. discussions and considerations, so it is premature to assume all remaining products will receive exemptions. The government will prioritize national and business interests in these negotiations."