People's Party backs plan to launch US tariff talks

The People’s Party (PP) says it is on board with the government’s plan to launch trade negotiations with the United States after US President Donald Trump announced a 16% tariff on Thai imports on Wednesday.

- CHAIRITH YONPIAM

PP MP Srikanya Tansakul, in her capacity as the party’s deputy leader, stressed the need for immediate discussions in an effort to get the tariff reduced to the baseline rate set at 10% by the US, noting the rate imposed on Thailand is higher than those imposed on other countries in the region.

According to Ms Srikanya, the new tariff could cut the value of Thai exports by 1%, which would lead to a GDP decline of over 1%.

“If the negotiations are delayed or unsuccessful, the nation’s GDP could drop by over 2% this year,” Ms Srikanya said.