Bangkok: Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra addressed the ongoing discussions regarding the US tariff wall on her program "Thai Opportunity with Prime Minister Paethongtarn." She revealed that negotiations have been continuous and involve consultations with a team of US tax experts since before former President Donald Trump took office. Discussions have also included the private sector and ASEAN countries, notably with the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Cambodia. Ms. Shinawatra emphasized the importance of ASEAN's collective power, given its population of 600 million, to leverage unique regional strengths. However, she clarified that the talks remain informal and secretive to prevent potential chaos and impacts if prematurely disclosed. She assured that negotiations are precise and within bounds, with regular updates provided to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Pichai Chunhavachira.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister also commented on Moody's recent shift in Thailand's credit outlook to negative. She clarified that this reflects a view of Thailand's economic expansion potential, influenced by tax relations with the US, rather than a downgrade in the country's creditworthiness. The government, she asserted, is actively engaging with global companies to highlight Thailand's investment opportunities, countering any negative perceptions.