Trump tariffs crush Thai housing demand

Affected buyers cancel transfers

- KANANA KATHARANGSIPORN

The “Trump effect” has had a far greater impact on housing demand than the recent earthquake, which only caused temporary delays in purchases and transfers, whereas the former led

to buyers stopping purchases altogether, according to SET-listed developer Supalai.

Tritecha Tangmatitham, managing director of Supalai, said the US tariff hike caused export-related business owners to cancel home transfers, with some even forfeiting their down payments without hesitation.

“US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal trade tariffs were more alarming than the earthquake,” he said. “Affected business owners walked away from reservations and declined to transfer ownership, despite forfeiting their booking deposits.”