Tariff threat fizzles
Re: "Tariff talks are unlikely to go as planned", (Opinion, July 24).
Aug 1 has come and gone, and the US import tariffs of 36% against Thai goods have never materialised, as predicted by the above columnist!
Economist Chartchai Parasuk went to pains to point out that Thailand, unlike fellow Asean member states such as Vietnam and Indonesia, was unlikely to get a reduced reciprocal tariff rate from the Americans, since the Thai government refused to go into proper face-to-face negotiations with the US.
Be that as it may, the fact remains that Thailand ended up basically getting the same reduced tariff rate of around 19%, as did the above-mentioned nations. Why the Americans did not give Thailand a 36% rate remains a mystery. Mr Chartchai's logic was sound.
It could be that it was good enough for Donald Trump that the Thai government did not criticise other American government policies, unlike Western states such as Canada and France, for instance, which now are willing to recognise a Palestinian state, but have had higher tariffs on some goods imposed on them in the process.
Paul
30 years of fair trade
Re: "WTO at 30 after decades of challenges", (Opinion, July 30).
This article by the former director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Supachai Panichpakdi, touches base. The past 30 years of the WTO have provided a platform for equitable rules in global trade, which benefits developing nations. The WTO principles that recognise the least developed countries helped foster 15 agreements. The WTO's three decades have helped support the least developed countries.
Regmi Suman
Next peace push
Re: "Trump says likely to meet Putin 'very soon'", (World, Aug 8).
Donald Trump has announced that he will meet his friend/enemy, Vladimir Putin, and then Volodymyr Zelensky will be joining them for a three-way talk, hopefully in the same room rather than via Zoom or its equivalent.
Although one can't be certain of how leaders regard each other, some people suggest that Mr Putin sees Mr Trump as a "useful fool", and it's unlikely that he will be happy with Mr Zelensky.
If most people saw an elderly grandfather wandering around the roof of their home without any obvious purpose, they would call for medical support and consider whether they needed to be put into care.
Yet, Mr Trump has done this and is now trying to stop a war. If it must be an American to negotiate this, then why not Pope Leo XIV? I am sure that Mr Trump, a bible carrying and selling Christian, would have faith in him.
Dennis Fitzgerald
YSEALI still active
Re: "Asean's charm offensive in full swing", (Opinion, Aug 5).
The US Embassy Bangkok would like to clarify that the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) remains highly active.
This year alone, over 70 Thai participants will participate in YSEALI Fellowship programs in the United States, and more than 50 young Thai leaders will join YSEALI regional exchanges.
Since its launch in 2013, YSEALI has empowered emerging Thai leaders through programs focused on entrepreneurship, workforce development, digital innovation, security, and the rule of law to create a positive and lasting impact for both Thailand and the United States. For more information or the latest updates on YSEALI, please visit yseali.state.gov or contact us at YSEALIThailand@state.gov.
US Embassy Bangkok
