Thailand is pushing forward with free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union to reduce its reliance on US and Chinese supply chains amid global trade tensions and tariff uncertainties [1, 2]. Thai Trade Representative Werapong Prapha said, "The reason why we’re accelerating the EU FTA so much is because we want to diversify as quickly as possible. Less reliance on Chinese supply chains and US supply chains" [1]. He added, "The largest exporter has weaponised exports and the largest importer has weaponised imports. The rest of the world has to be very adaptive" [2].
The EU is Thailand’s fourth-largest trading partner, offering access to over 450 million consumers compared to about 340 million in the US market [1, 2]. Thailand and the EU have completed negotiations on 11 of 24 chapters of the agreement, but work remains on complex subjects including government procurement, intellectual property, agricultural market access, manufacturing, and energy sectors [1, 2]. Pharmaceutical patent protections and agricultural tariffs are sensitive issues in the talks [1, 2].
Thailand is also negotiating tariff arrangements with the US administration under former President Donald Trump and seeks treatment comparable to other Southeast Asian nations [1, 2]. Prapha said, "We’ve done the base camp. The final peak will be four or five issues that are going to be very challenging" [2]. He emphasized the urgency, stating, "We have six more months. Full steam ahead" [1].
The Thai government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, aims to conclude the free trade agreement by year-end, though sources differ on the exact target, citing the end of 2025 or 2026 [1, 2]. Thailand will seek transition periods and support for sectors facing increased competition from the FTA terms [1, 2].
The ninth round of negotiations took place in Brussels in June 2026 and will continue as parties work towards finalizing the remaining chapters [1, 2].
