Trump Enforces 36% Reciprocal Tariff on Thai Imports

U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs, including levies exceeding 30% on Asian economies such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. The tariffs are two-tiered: a 10% baseline tariff on all countries and a higher reciprocal tariff on roughly 60 countries with which the U.S. has the largest trade deficits. 

This move aligns with his “Declaration of Economic Independence,” unveiled on April 2, 2025, which includes a baseline 10% tariff on all imported goods and higher rates for specific countries perceived to have unfavorable trade balances with the U.S.

Thailand’s 36% tariff reportedly stems from its significant trade surplus with the U.S.—estimated at over $45 billion in 2024—and its higher average tariff rate on U.S. goods, which the Trump administration claims justifies this reciprocal action.

The announcement has rattled Asian markets, with Japan’s Nikkei index dropping over 4% in early trading on April 3, 2025, as reported elsewhere. The tariffs are part of Trump’s broader strategy, dubbed “Liberation Day,” to pressure countries into reducing barriers to U.S. exports or face equivalent levies. China’s higher rate likely ties to its existing 10% tariff on U.S. goods and additional tensions over subsidies and non-tariff barriers, while Japan’s 24% could reflect its 3.2% average tariff on U.S. imports (versus the U.S.’s 1.4% on Japanese goods) and concerns over auto exports.

Thai officials and businesses are bracing for impact, especially since the U.S. accounts for about 17% of Thailand’s exports. Sectors like electronics, auto parts, and rubber products could take a hit, with estimates suggesting a potential 160 billion baht loss to the Thai economy if these tariffs persist.

There’s also chatter about Thailand facing pressure to import U.S. goods like pork to offset the surplus, though no formal deal has been confirmed yet. On the flip side, some see an opportunity for Thailand to attract factories fleeing China’s even steeper 60% tariff, but that’s a longer-term play. For now, the 36% tariff is a done deal unless negotiations or retaliatory measures shift the landscape.