Bangkok: Abhisit Vejjajiva has called for the Thai government to expedite negotiations after the United States imposed a 12.5% tariff on Thai imports, a rate higher than that of neighboring countries. He expressed understanding of President Trump's unpredictable stance.

According to Thai News Agency, Abhisit Vejjajiva, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Democrat Party, emphasized the urgency for the Ministry of Commerce to act swiftly within various negotiation frameworks to ease the burden of the increased tariff. He highlighted that Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia face a lower tariff of only 10%, suggesting a need for improved diplomatic measures.

Abhisit mentioned that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanprapha, had shown interest in expediting these negotiations. He acknowledged the complexity of resolving such issues but stressed the importance of accelerating the process. The government is also working towards concluding the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as an alternative strategy.

The unpredictability of US policy under Trump's leadership complicates the situation, Abhisit noted, making it essential for Thailand to act quickly in negotiations while weighing the pros and cons of any demands. He advocated for Thailand's foreign policy to promote cooperation with powerful nations and maintain respect for the global order.

Addressing concerns about the potential impact of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul's visit to China on this issue, Abhisit clarified that the visit is unrelated. He explained that the US is seeking legislative backing to justify the tariff increase, as Trump's initial proposal was rejected by the courts. Consequently, the visit to China should not be seen as connected to the tariff situation.