Thailand prepares defence against US trade probeCommerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun forms a special panel to handle new USTR probes into unfair trade practices between Thailand and the United States. (File photo: Commerce Ministry)The Ministry of Commerce has set up a task force to compile evidence to argue against the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which included Thailand in its new investigations into unfair practices. The US trade office announced on Wednesday it would look into a number of countries accused of unfairly trading with the United States, with Thailand among its targets. Thailand was targeted after the US found a Thai-US trade imbalance of US$51 billion in Thailand’s favour last year, up from $46 billion in 2024. The kingdom is subject to the excess capacity probe, and the USTR named autos, auto parts, machinery and rubber among the sectors under scrutiny.

Source: Bangkok Post March 13, 2026 15:29 UTC