Thailand remains dedicated to adhering to World Trade Organization principles.
Thailand maintaining its commitment to international trade principles under the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a consistent promise, even amid current global uncertainties, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
Minister Maris underscored this during meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the recent Brics Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brazil. Key topics raised on these occasions were the global trade situation, the multilateral trading system, and collaborative approaches towards finding constructive solutions.
In light of this, Thailand expressed its readiness to build closer ties with both China and Russia. Bilateral discussions with China encompassed several aspects, including participating in joint efforts to combat transnational crime, bolstering trade and investment, improving transport, and reinforcing cooperation under regional frameworks such as Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC).
The conversations with Russia also touched upon expanding cooperation in tourism and pursuing a free trade agreement between Thailand and Eurasia, as disclosed by Minister Maris.
Participating as a partner country for the first time at the Brazil event marked a significant opportunity for Thailand to share ideas aimed at fostering cooperation among developing nations. Brics, a bloc of major emerging economies, currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia as full members. Thailand joined this exclusive group as one of 13 new partner countries effective January 1st.
Thailand's trade initiatives with China are largely shaped by broader geopolitical concerns and market alterations between China and the U.S. Though negotiations for new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the European Union (EU) and CPTPP members are underway, no specific China-focused agreements have been highlighted. Tensions between Thailand and China have escalated due to the fallout from Trump-era tariffs, China's warnings against deals that may disadvantage its interests, and a series of controversies associated with Chinese-linked projects like the infamous Chatuchak building collapse and questionable "Zero Dollar" export schemes.
Regarding Russia and Eurasian connections, the records show no direct initiatives, although a possible focus on cooperation within the Eurasia region cannot be ruled out. Thailand's quest for an EU FTA (targeted for 2025) and potential CPTPP membership might influence Eurasian trade pathways indirectly. However, no dedicated Thailand-Eurasia Free Trade Agreement has been detailed in the available data.
- Thailand, emphasizing its strong commitment to multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO), is ready to strengthen its ties with both China and Russia, particularly in key industries such as transport and finance.
- During the Brics Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brazil, Thailand discussed the global trade situation and collaborative approaches with China, focusing on joint efforts to combat transnational crime, increasing trade and investment, improving transport, and reinforcing cooperation under regional frameworks like Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC).
- Minister Maris also revealed that conversations with Russia touched upon expanding cooperation in tourism and pursuing a potential free trade agreement between Thailand and Eurasia.
- Seeking to foster cooperation among developing nations, Thailand showcased its ideas as a partner country at the Brazil event, aiming to contribute to key industries such as finance and business within the Brics bloc, which includes Thailand as one of its 13 partner countries, alongside full members such as China, Russia, and others.
