Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has said it is ready to revise long-delayed free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union (EU) and has scheduled public hearings nationwide before proceeding with proposals of the talks for cabinet approval by November.
Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department (Source: Bangkok Post)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’sCommerce Ministry has said it is ready to revise long-delayed free tradeagreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union (EU) and has scheduledpublic hearings nationwide before proceeding with proposals of the talks forcabinet approval by November.
Local media on September 24 quoted AuramonSupthaweethum, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, as sayingthe ministry will gather all public opinions and relevant studies forpolicymakers to decide whether to resume the bilateral trade talks.
According to Auramon, the EU is a largepotential market with a population of 512 million. It is also Thailand’s fourthlargest trading partner and second biggest investor.
Two-way trade reached 47.3 billion USD in 2018,with Thai exports accounting for 25 billion USD.
FTA negotiations between Thailand and the EUhave been delayed since the 2014 coup in Thailand.
The EU pursued trade negotiations with otherASEAN nations and has signed FTAs with Singapore and Vietnam.
Recently, EU Ambassador to Thailand PirkkaTapiola told Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak that the bloc is ready toresume FTA negotiations with Thailand. Both sides also agreed to resumeFTA negotiations between ASEAN and the EU.
Tapiola said the negotiations will commenceafter the EU settles on a new European Commission next month.
Somkid said the EU has shown interest in takinga greater role in trade and investment in ASEAN and is keen to join theAyeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy and the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
EU investors also expressed intentions to usethe Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as a production base for exports to othercountries in the region, he added./.
Even though the EU has lifted the ’yellow card’ issued as a warning to Thailand over IUU fishing, the Thai government remains committed to the cause and has proposed the idea of establishing an ASEAN IUU Task Force to address the issue regionally.
Thai Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit on August 7 pledged to speed up negotiations on bilateral and regional free trade agreement (FTAs), including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the EU-Thailand FTA.
The European Union is ready to resume long-delayed free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Thailand, EU Ambassador to Thailand Pirkka Tapiola has affirmed.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
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Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
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Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
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Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department (Source: Bangkok Post) 
