Breaking down the details of US tariffs

Thai exports must follow rules of origin requirements and other stipulations to receive the 19% rate

- PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

Following the US implementation on Aug 7 of a 19% reciprocal tariff on imported Thai goods, some questions remain. The Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) and the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) have clarified some concerns.

WHAT TARIFF RATES APPLY TO THAI EXPORTS TO THE US?

Thai exports to the US face a tariff rate that consists of the most favoured nation (MFN) rate plus an additional reciprocal tariff of 19%, according to both departments.

MFN tariffs are what countries promise to impose on imports from other members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), unless the country is part of a preferential trade agreement such as a free trade area or customs union.

However, the DTN said some items face different tariff rates.

Products subject to tariffs under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act are exempt from this reciprocal tariff. This category includes automobiles, which have been subject to an MFN rate plus a 25% tariff since April 3, 2025, while auto parts have faced the same rates since May 3.

Steel and aluminium products have been subject to an MFN rate plus a 50% tariff since June 4, while copper products faced the same rate since Aug 1.

For products outside these specific categories, the US imposes a reciprocal tariff of 19% on top of the MFN rate, in addition to any existing duties such as anti-dumping (AD), countervailing, anti-circumvention and safeguard measures.

For example, if a Thai company exports paper plates (HS Code 4823.69.0040) to the US, the MFN tariff on these would be 35%. If the company also faces a 70% AD duty, the total tariff would amount to 124% when the 19% reciprocal tariff is added.