In April 2025, the U.S. introduced a reciprocal tariff regime, imposing a universal 10% duty on imports from nearly every country, alongside higher country-specific tariffs based on each nation’s trade deficit with the United States. Several Southeast Asian countries were among those affected by the proposed elevated tariffs.
Thailand’s total trade volume with the U.S. in 2024 reached USD 81 billion. While U.S. exports to Thailand amounted to USD 17.7 billion, imports from Thailand stood at USD 63.3 billion — resulting in a significant trade deficit from the U.S. perspective. Accordingly, Thailand was initially assigned a 36% tariff rate. Similar measures targeted Cambodia (49%), Laos (48%), and Myanmar (44%), though their total trade volumes with the U.S. are considerably smaller. However, on April 9, the U.S. administration announced a 90-day suspension of the elevated tariffs — temporarily reverting affected countries, including Thailand, to the baseline 10% rate.
Under the current framework, Thailand faces a 10% U.S. tariff on most goods—a notable increase from pre-April 2025 levels, but far less severe than the originally proposed 36%. Core export sectors such as electronics (especially semiconductors and computer parts), automotive components, machinery, and processed foods remain competitive, though Thai manufacturers are closely monitoring whether the tariff pause will be extended or revised after July.
