Thailand hopes to conclude US trade talks before new deadline
The Southeast Asian country has offered to cut import duties on most US goods to zero, expand access for US agricultural and industrial products, and increase purchases of energy and Boeing jets. It also pledged to reduce its 46 billion USD trade surplus with the US by 70% within five years.
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand is opꦺtimistic that it can finalise a trade deal with the US before the August 1 deadline to avoid a 36% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
The Southeast Asian country has offered to cut import duties on most US goods to zero, expand access for US agricultural and industrial products, and increase purchases of energy and Boeing jets. It also pledged to reduce its 46 billion USD trade surplus with the US by 70% within five years.
Despite these efforts, a US letter issued July 8 maintained the 36% rate. Thai officials estimate the tariff can cut GDP by at least one percentage point this year.
Political instability is adding to investor concerns after the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The THB rose slightly, while the stock index dropped 0.6%, bringing total losses this year to 20%.
Economists warned of potential factory closures and job losses if no agreement is reached. The National Economic and Social Development Council said it would revise growth forecasts accordingly.
The US remains Thailand’s top export market, accounting for 18% of total exports. Shipments rose 15% in the first five months of 2025, driven by front-loading of orders following a 90-day pause in high tariffs set by the Trump administration./.
The launching of the WebD platform is part of its efforts to combat illegal websites in Thailand. The platform uses AI technology to streamline the process of identifying and blocking illegal URLs, improving the speed and efficiency of the operation.
The new Thai Labour Minister's five policies include equipping Thai workers with AI skills by focusing on developing AI curricula aligned with the manufacturing and service sectors and providing all worker groups with skill training through cross-sector collaborations.
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued an urgent weather alert for 33 provinces across the North, Northeast, Central and South, warning of flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and rising water levels in major rivers, particularly the Mekong, between July 6 and 12.
By the 2030, the Government aims for 80% of households to live within a 10-minute walk of an MRT station, strengthening Singapore’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility.
The US accounts for 18% of Thailand's exports. If the 36% rate is implemented, exports to the US could fall to 10% of the total, weakening bilateral trade relations over the long term.
AMM-58 is the largest gathering of ASEAN foreign ministers and senior diplomats from around the world to discuss pressing global and regional issues, promote cooperation, and advance the security and sustainability agenda in ASEAN.
Within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn held bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders on July 9.
Myanmar Ambassador Min Thein took over the ACV Chairmanship, pledging to continue ongoing initiatives and further strengthen the unity and engagement of ASEAN diplomatic missions in Vienna
With a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation, Vietnam has viewed Brazil as an ideal partner that shares a common vision of a just world based on international law.
Thailand’s consumer price index (CPI) declined for a third consecutive month in June, attributed to lower energy and food prices, though there are no signs of deflation, according to the country’s Commerce Ministry.
According to the Bank of Thailand report issued on June 30, total household debt tallied 16.35 trillion THB (503.4 billion USD) in the first quarter of 2025, equivalent to 87.4% of GDP, down from 16.42 trillion or 88.4% of GDP in the previous quarter.
The programme “Towards Indonesia's Low Carbon Energy Transition” (MENTARI) has served as a bridge, helping Indonesian village women break free from traditional constraints.
The bill, which had previously been proposed by the Ministry of Finance, outlined mechanisms for regulating entertainment businesses through a two-level committee system: the Comprehensive Entertainment Policy Committee and the Entertainment Business Control Board. The goal is to establish standards and regulatory measures for the industry.
According to ADB, more than 1 billion people across Asia and the Pacific still lack access to basic health services, with millions pushed into poverty due to healthcare costs.
The US decided to keep unchanged tariff rates on certain countries in Southeast Asia, such as 32% for Indonesia and 36% for Thailand, effective from August 1. Malaysia faces a 25% rate, up from the 24% that the US threatened in April.
Since initiating the Doi Moi (Renewal) reforms in 1986, Vietnam has maintained strong momentum. In 2024, the country posted a GDP growth rate of 7.09%, placing it among the fastest-growing economies globally. Forecasts suggest it could join the world’s top 20 economies by 2029.
MITI said the decision to impose the duties, in the form of a bank guarantee and ranging from 3.86 to 57.90%, was made after preliminary investigations found sufficient evidence that these imports were brought into Malaysia at dumped prices.
Hyper-competition in China's electric vehicle sector is spilling over to its biggest market in Asia, Thailand, as smaller players struggle to compete with dominant BYD, putting ambitious local production plans at risk.
Laos is home to over 500 fish species, which play a vital role in maintaining the country's ecological balance and represent an important part of its natural heritage. Each year, nationwide activities are held to raise public awareness, especially among young people, about the importance of conserving aquatic life and protecting ecosystems.
Mount Lewotobi, standing at 1,584 metres, last erupted in November 2024, claiming nine lives and displacing thousands. It is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes, as the country lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for intense tectonic and volcanic activity.
Ambassador Binh and other representatives highly appreciated the role of the ASEAN Chair - Malaysia - in coordinating and leading ASEAN cooperation to achieve many advances, gradually concretising the orientation of "inclusivity and sustainability".
The project is a collaboration between the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy, the Directorate of Armament of the RTAF and the RTAF's Research and Development Centre for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology.
