Thai trade office in New York sees opening for exporters under US Section 301 via product-by-product tariff exclusions
Thailand’s Trade Promotion Office in New York says the US Section 301 probes—covering excess capacity and labour issues—may allow Thai exporters to seek tariff exclusions by individual product, while the Commerce Ministry prepares submissions to the USTR ahead of April 15 and a May 5 hearing.
Ketsuree Vijaranakorn, Director of the Trade Promotion Office in New York, said the United States is conducting investigations that could lead to trade measures under Section 301, focusing on two main issues: an investigation of 16 economies into excess capacity, and a separate review of 60 economies, including Thailand, on labour-related concerns. The process is expected to conclude in mid-May, after which the US is expected to announce the products affected and the tariff rates to be applied.
However, she said the situation still contains a positive angle for Thai exporters because the Section 301 process allows for negotiations to request product-by-product tariff exclusions, unlike earlier reciprocal tariff measures, which offered no exemptions. This is particularly relevant for products that have received relief under Section 122, as well as goods in Annex 2, where there has been discussion of a 150-day tariff exemption for items the US considers necessary and not harmful to its domestic production.
From the perspective of US importers, she said there is a favourable outlook for Thai food and processed agricultural products. Current economic conditions in the US are changing consumer behaviour, with people eating out less and buying more groceries to cook at home, which is expected to lift demand for imports in this category.
She added that the Department of International Trade Promotion’s overseas trade offices have been in ongoing discussions with importers, who appear prepared to manage the situation and expect imports of tariff-exempt products to increase. While growth may not be as sharp as in previous periods, she said it remains a positive signal for Thai exports in the current environment.
Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has set up a special task force to track developments and prepare Thailand’s response, chaired by Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary for Commerce, with director-generals from all Commerce Ministry departments. The task force will assess sector-by-sector impacts and develop clarifications aimed at preventing additional tariffs on Thai goods.
Thailand is preparing to submit written comments to the USTR by April 15, 2026, and to file a request to participate in a public hearing scheduled for May 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Rebuttal comments may be submitted within seven days after the hearing concludes.
The 16 economies within the scope of the excess-capacity investigation are: Thailand, China, the European Union (EU), Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.
Thailand is included among the 16 because of its large trade surplus with the US. The three product groups singled out as key targets are automobiles and auto parts, machinery and electronic equipment, and rubber products.
