Does The Us Have A Free Trade Agreement With Thailand

07 Déc Does The Us Have A Free Trade Agreement With Thailand

« Build on Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative and U.S. -Singapore FTA: President Bush announced the U.S. Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative (EAI) in October, 2002. This initiative offers the prospect of bilateral free trade agreements between the United States and ASEAN countries, which are committed to economic reforms and openness. The IAA aims to create a network of bilateral free trade agreements that increase trade and investment and bring our economies and our future closer together. Following the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, a free trade agreement between the United States and Thailand will advance this ambitious initiative. Two-way trade between the United States and Singapore and Thailand is estimated to be close to $53 billion. In 2015, bilateral trade between the United States and Thailand amounted to nearly $40 billion. A free trade agreement could significantly boost trade and further strengthen an important strategic relationship. The United States and Thailand have concluded five rounds of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United States and Thailand.

According to an October 2005 USTR report, positive steps have been taken on issues such as trade in services and foreign investment. The last round of discussions took place in January 2006. Negotiators had hoped to reach an agreement in 2006, but this was delayed due to a military coup in Thailand that began when Prime Minister Shinawatra visited the United States in September 2006. The United States has informed the Thai transitional government that the restoration of democracy is a precursor to the continuation of free trade negotiations. Further discussions are on hold. U.S.-Thailand FTA News FTA Talks Revived AFP, June 25, 2008 Japan Congress Presses to Approve Korea Trade Agreement Reuters, December 7, 2007 Thailand Free Trade Negotiations Reviewed with U.S. Resignation by U.S. Critics Following Reuters Press Review, March 1, 2006 Thai Trade Negotiation with U.S.

Resignation After Reviewed by Associated Press , 19 January 2006 thousands of protests against the US Trade Negotiations Thai Reuters , 9 January 2006 10,000 expected , to protest the united states free trade negotiations The Nation (Thailand), on 6 January, 2006 Technical Discussions Dominate US-Thai FTA Round Bridges, October 5, 2005 Thailand Says Trade Pact Could Take Time Associated Press, September 21, 2005 US – Thailand Press for Trade Pact Bloomberg , September 20, 2005 Trade Pacts May Lead to Legal Changes Bangkok Post, 25 January 2005 Academics Called for Temporary Suspension of FTA Talks with TNA US , November 13, 2004 `FTA Offers More Risks Than Gains` The Nation (Thailand), September 27, 2004 FTA Talks with US on Track, Says Thai Minister The Straits Times, 22 September 2004 Thailand Free Trade Tactics Fire Under Asia Times , July 7, 2004 U.S., Thailand Eye Free Trade Washington Times, July 2, 2004 300 Thais protest against FTAs Herald Sun, 280 , 2004 FTA Opponents Plan Rally The Nation (Thailand), 28 June 2004 Reaching Trade Pact with US No Simple Task The Nation (Thailand), June 28, 2004  » Promote U.S. Exports: The United States exports 4.9 billion to Thailand in 2002. A free trade agreement will help increase U.S. exports to Thailand. Although Thailand has liberalized its trade and investment regime in recent years, its average tariffs remain relatively high (approximately 16%).