Thailand to Rebut US 12.5% Tariffs, Prioritizes Forced Labor Issue Resolution

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered relevant agencies to expedite the resolution of the forced labor issue, following the US decision to impose a 12.5% tariff on imports from Thailand, citing concerns over forced labor. The Prime Minister expressed his intention to appeal the decision after resolving the issue, aiming to revert the tariff rate to 10% or lower. The United States has announced the imposition of a 12.5% tariff on certain Thai products, citing the situation of forced labor in Thailand. In response, Prime Minister Anutin stated that resolving this issue is a top priority and has urged authorities to take concrete actions. The Prime Minister indicated that Thailand is a major trading partner of the US, and to maintain good relations between the two countries, an appeal will be filed after the issue is resolved, seeking a reduction in the tariff rate. "We must ensure our own readiness is complete so that we can negotiate for the lowest possible tariff rate," the Prime Minister said. Currently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthamphun is returning to Thailand to receive a full report on the negotiation results, and future strategies will be formulated based on this. This measure could impact Thailand's export industry, particularly sectors where forced labor may be a concern. The Thai government aims to strengthen compliance with international labor standards and rebuild trust with its trading partners. Source: INN News