Bangkok: The Prime Minister emphasized that Thailand should closely monitor the US’s stance, collecting complete and comprehensive information for the benefit of Thailand before starting negotiations at the right time. He revealed that ASEAN agreed to join forces to create great bargaining power to cope with the Trump tariff wall and survive together.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, revealed during her visit to Cambodia that during the discussion with Samdech Maha Boworathibodi Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, there was a discussion about the case of the United States announcing a tax increase, which she believes that everyone in Thailand has been following the situation and seeing the changes after the United States gave 90 days. Now that some time has passed, there have been many changes, which Thailand has chosen to watch the situation closely and follow in every angle, every aspect, both officially and unofficially, to see what is moving forward and what is needed. It has not even been 30 days, but there have been quite a few changes, not only in Thailand but also around the world, which can be seen that the tax issue is gradually being adjusted.
The Prime Minister also stated that he thought that the United States itself had to wait and see how the response from around the world was and how likely it was because the calculations and rules that were issued were quite new for the world and were the first time that this had happened. Therefore, the United States had to look at the situation as well, just like us, but maybe from a different perspective. We had to look at the situation, the temperature, and the possibilities around the world, which he thought was fair. However, we had to see how each country would react. We were the same. Therefore, in terms of being careful and preparing information, which Thailand is doing now, we are still on track. We are not letting things slip away. We are still focusing on what we can do more.
The Prime Minister continued that when he came to talk to the Cambodian Prime Minister, we talked about the ASEAN cooperation framework, how each country has its own strengths, and what can be done if they come together in the ASEAN framework, because in reality each country has unique natural resources and many other strengths. If they come together, will it be possible to increase their bargaining power? Which is still just a concept, no signature or document has been signed yet.
The Prime Minister also said that he had talked to leaders in ASEAN countries, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia had talked to leaders in ASEAN countries as well. They agreed that if we cooperate in ASEAN, we will be a great force. We will have bargaining power. We are ready to cooperate. If there is a tariff wall, we will survive together because we have something that is unique to ASEAN countries, which is something that other continents do not have like ASEAN. This will be something that we can negotiate strongly. After talking, I was glad that ASEAN countries also agreed on this matter. Because when we negotiate, we must negotiate like friends. Negotiate without losing or gaining an advantage in an unacceptably large gap. But we must negotiate so that both we and them are strong. It must be a win-win situation, which is what we agree on.
When asked if waiting for the right time to observe the US’s stance before negotiating would be beneficial to Thailand, the Prime Minister said that he thought so because the US also observed and observed the stance of the world as well. Therefore, we have to see what is happening and where is the right point for us to negotiate in detail, which is something we are keeping an eye on.
The Prime Minister confirmed that there is no need to worry because the government has consulted with the private sector, including entrepreneurs who invest in the United States, because we want to know the progress and what can be done to be complete.