Gems and jewellery wary of trade spats

Rising tariffs and stricter rules are driving the industry towards higher standards, writes Boonsong Lipimas

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Mr Surinthon, centre left, Mr Sumed, centre right, and Mr Suriyon, right, share their views on the gems and jewellery industry.

Escalating trade conflicts between major economies are reshaping global supply chains, creating both challenges and opportunities for the Thai gem and jewellery sector, according to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).

According to the DITP, during the first 11 months of 2025, exports in this category reached US$12.1 billion, representing growth of 53%.

Surinthorn Sunthornsanan, deputy director-general of the DITP, said reciprocal tariffs are essentially a battle for better trade deals with the US, aimed at securing competitive advantages and entry into global supply chains.

“The impact is not limited to finished products, but extends from upstream raw materials through to supply chains and final goods,’ he said.

The department's export promotion strategy now emphasises building supply chain resilience, particularly in the gem and jewellery market, said Mr Surinthorn.

Beyond promoting exports, the agency is focusing on sourcing high-quality raw materials at competitive prices and appropriate scale, while strengthening networking among operators.

“These measures will help entrepreneurs reduce costs, secure quality inputs and meet customer demand more effectively,” he said.