Anutin revealed that the US tax negotiations are proceeding as Deputy Prime Minister Supachai stated, with efforts to push the rates as low as possible. When the time comes, it will depend on what can be discussed.
On 20 Sep 2026 at 08:45 at Military Airport 2, Wing 6 (B.6), Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul spoke about the US tax negotiations, saying he was not the initiator and had not arranged talks with the US President. Both negotiation teams reported that everything was proceeding as expected. There is one additional issue raised by the US, and Thailand must find a way to reach a conclusion. When asked if he would have the chance to meet US President Donald Trump at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Anutin said there is a chance to meet. Asked if they would talk, he replied briefly, "play it by ear," explaining that Thailand had obtained the desired tax rate but the US had requested additional conditions. He said he asked Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Sutthumphand whether the deal could be finalized, to which Supachai responded confidently that there was no problem and no need to revise the work. When asked what the conditions were, Anutin said he had not asked for details.
When asked whether the process would be smooth, Anutin said Supachai seemed confident and he would ask her again. He said that in New York, he would have the opportunity to talk with Supachai's representatives and the US Trade Representative (USTR), and everything would stay within the set framework. Asked if the government would maintain the tax rate at 19 percent, Anutin said they would try to push it as low as possible. When the time comes, the draft will be sent to each country's leader, and usually discussions or calls are arranged. At that time, it will depend on what can be discussed. The negotiation teams have not reported any unsolvable issues. During talks, both sides tend to have extreme conditions before reaching mutually acceptable conclusions. This is negotiation, not a one-sided applause. Neither side will get everything they want; that is why it is called negotiation. When asked if, if he meets the US President, he would discuss and remind him of the commitments in the joint statement between Thailand and Cambodia, Anutin said if given the opportunity, of course, they would talk. However, this trip is not a visit to one country but to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).