Anutin plans Trump talks as US midterms leave tariff deal on track, with rate expected at 19% or lower
PM Anutin expects US tariffs around 19% as lawyers review the trade deal, with a joint statement planned around the ASEAN and APEC summits.
- Thailand anticipates a new US tariff rate of approximately 19% as part of a reciprocal trade agreement that is now in legal review.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plans to hold talks with US President Donald Trump during the upcoming ASEAN and APEC summits.
- The expected 19% rate is a result of negotiations where Thailand believes it has fulfilled prior commitments to the US on military and peace-related issues.
- A joint statement is expected to be signed at the summits, preceding the formal signing of the main trade agreement.
Thailand expects a US tariff rate of around 19% as negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement move into legal review, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on November 5, 2026, in response to questions about the impact of the US midterm elections.
Speaking at Government House, Anutin reported substantial progress in the negotiations. The two sides had settled the substantive issues and main conditions, with their legal teams now examining the draft agreement in detail.
Joint statement planned around regional summits
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US government are preparing a joint statement, which Anutin expects to be signed during the round of ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits taking place over the next one to two weeks.
Anutin is scheduled to attend the meetings and plans to use the opportunity to hold talks with US President Donald Trump.
The proposed joint statement would precede the formal signing of the main trade agreement, which remains subject to legal review.
Thailand cites progress on commitments to Trump
Anutin maintained that Thailand had fulfilled the commitments previously agreed with Trump concerning military measures, peace efforts and mine clearance. These steps formed part of Thailand’s request for special consideration for a lower tariff rate.
He expected the negotiated rate to be approximately 19%. Existing tariff arrangements would continue to apply until the main agreement was formally signed.
