bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo
  1. Negotiations

US-Thailand


The US and Thailand started negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement in June 2004.

Like other recent bilateral free trade agreements with the US, the US-Thailand FTA will cover investment, services, government procurement, intellectual property, as well as agriculture. Many expect it to be modeled on the US-Singapore FTA.

The negotiations have attracted strong opposition and concern among many Thai social movements, farmers to people with HIV/AIDS. A broad civil society coalition, FTA Watch, was formed at the outset to closely monitor the process from a public interest perspective. (Likewise, business interests set up their own US-Thai FTA Coalition.) Under the banner of "sovereignty not for sale!", key issues of popular concern include access to medicine, GMOs in agriculture and patents on life.

The last round of talks took place in Chiang Mai in January 2006 with 10,000 people protesting in the streets and disrupting the meeting. Negotiations have not resumed since.

last update: May 2012

Thailand rushes US trade deal ahead of possible Section 301 review
12-May-2026     Khaosod English
Thailand is accelerating negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States in a bid to reduce tariff risks ahead of a Section 301 review.
Trade officials meet in bid to finalise US-Thai agreement
7-May-2026     Bangkok Post
Thai commerce minister has held talks with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) in a bid to conclude negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement to ease tariff pressures.
DPM Suphajee pushes Thai-US trade deal in talks with envoy
27-Apr-2026     The Star
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening trade ties with the United States, saying both sides are working to accelerate talks on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).
Thailand braces for Trump tariffs, steps up US talks and FTAs
24-Feb-2026     The Nation Thailand
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s retaliatory tariffs in February 2026, prompting a new 10% global tariff (effective Feb 24) and an immediate 15% rate. Thailand expects benefits short-term as effective U.S. tariffs on its exports drop below 10%, boosting competitiveness. Thai government is accelerating trade deals and investment drives to turn global trade uncertainty into strategic growth.
Thailand submits final proposal in US trade talks, aims for competitive ASEAN tax rates
24-Jul-2025     Nation Thailand
Thailand has submitted its final proposal to the US in ongoing trade talks aiming to secure a competitive import tax rate aligned with other ASEAN countries before the August 1, 2025 deadline. Facing pressure from neighboring ASEAN deals, Thailand hopes to reduce the current 36% tariff to around 20-23%, which could significantly impact its economy and investment climate.
US and Thailand hold Trade and Investment Framework Agreement joint council meeting
8-Sep-2023     AJOT
The United States and Thailand met under the US-Thailand Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
The impact of Thailand's FTAs on US agri-food exports
19-Jun-2019     Global Agricultural Information Network
US govt says Thailand's FTAs - with China, Australia, NZ, Japan, India, ASEAN, Chile and Peru - have hurt US agri-food exports to Thailand.
US farmers up in arms over additives ban
31-May-2018     Bangkok Post
US pork producers want Thailand penalised.
United States and Thailand discuss strengthening engagement on trade, resolving priority issues
12-Apr-2018     United State Trade Representative
The United States and Thailand met today under the US-Thailand Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to discuss ways to deepen trade ties and address outstanding bilateral trade issues between them. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of their longstanding relationship and of working together to expand trade.
Drug patents remain a major FTA battleground
8-Dec-2010    
Drug patent restrictions by the United States and the European Union in trade negotiations with emerging countries will harm the Thai pharmaceutical industry and affect local patients, say researchers.

Referenced sites

Citizen's Trade Campaign: US-Thailand FTA

A US campaign website on the Thai-US FTA

FTA Watch

A coalition of activists, lawyers, NGOs, social movements and labour groups monitoring the US-Thailand FTA negotiations.